3 Quick Creative Boosts to Reset Your Busy Mind and Energize Your Solo Business

When I first started working for myself, I noticed there was less mental downtime than there had been in my previous 9-to-5 jobs. This was partly by choice—half my time was devoted to personal writing and the other half to content marketing for myself and clients. This work is undeniably creative but also demands a great deal of problem-solving and analytical thinking. It takes a lot of brain power! Nowadays, my weeks also typically include consulting with potential clients, which also requires brainpower because every business's marketing strategy requires a fresh approach. Sure, many independents face common issues when they start marketing, things like establishing their unique brand voice or setting a sustainable rhythm for content creation , but the uniqueness of each business means one-size-fits-all solutions often fall short.

The journey of a solopreneur is hardly what I’d call relaxing (for those of you who feel differently, I’d love to hear your secret). I love the flexibility of managing my own time, but for me, the workday starts early and often stretches into the night. I'm usually up before anyone else, leveraging the quiet of the morning hours for my most demanding tasks. After dinner, if my family is busy with their projects, I often find myself back at work. Time management remains a challenge, one more task on my ever-growing to-do list.

But carving out time for recharge is essential for creative work. I’ve realized that even though the to-do list is endless, the ideas flow more easily when I intentionally plug in creative down time. It doesn’t have to be long. In fact, the most effective technique I use works wonders even when there are just a few minutes to spare. But does allowing time for recharge automatically boost creativity? While there’s no guarantee, I know what works for me.

Here are the three moves that consistently recharge my creative process:

The Martha Beck Power Meditation

Meditation doesn't have to take hours of your day, and it doesn’t even require you setting aside time for it, although it’s better if you do. I often use a five-minute meditation technique I learned from the one and only Martha Beck, who was the keynote speaker of a women’s business conference I attended last fall. With just a few simple instructions, Martha guided a roomful of high-vibe, power women into a calm zen state. The technique is easy. Just close your eyes and sink into your seat. Now take a few deliberate calming breaths, and imagine the space between your eyes for however long you can. That’s it. This technique is so effective because it immediately brings you into presence. Afterwards, you can dive back into the creative work with fresh eyes.

Breath work, the On-Demand Creativity Boost

Breathing exercises are a new tool in my creative arsenal. They are another quick nervous system reset. Try this simple technique: Inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for eight. Repeat as needed. I know many tout the benefits of the 4-7-8 technique, but frankly, I try not to overthink it. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s presence. You’ll likely notice a sharper focus and a calmer mind, both conducive to creative thinking. The more I practice these, the more I find myself doing them automatically. Both the breath work and meditation are particularly good to do if you’re pressed for time, and need a reset while revising writing drafts or between editing rounds.

Escape to Nature

Long before I tried meditation or breathing, I’ve been a great believer in the power of nature, and being outside is still my favorite reset. Working from home means I can regularly take a walk break around the neighborhood, or when I have more time, I venture down into the trails behind my home. I’m the proud owner of a high-energy, handsome mutt named Sterling, and nothing makes him happier than our walks, so we typically do one longish outing a day or a couple of smaller escapes.?

It’s inevitable there are days when I “carry work with me,” especially if I’ve got a pressing task, but when I can let go and be present, solutions often come. I find this is particularly true when I’m mountain biking, my other favorite outdoor escape. This only works on trails I know well (when it’s a new trail, I’m pretty much 100% focused on the terrain). With familiar trails, I know where the technical challenges are and the stretches I have to open up on the bike and just let my mind wander. Being outdoors is a powerful stimulant for creativity, the ultimate mind-body hack.?I tend to use these techniques when I’m feeling creatively “stuck” on a particular assignment, or if I have an immediate content problem to solve for.

Whether it's a quick meditation, a few minutes of focused breath work, or a longer nature walk, integrating these power practices can improve productivity and creativity.

Now it’s your turn. How do you keep the creativity going? What are your everyday go-tos and the ultimate mental resets?

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