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We need slack, or down time.  This space is where creativity and innovation come from.  Truly innovative and creative individuals or organisations are the secret weapons in the war for competitive advantage.  Creativity comes from self-motivated curiosity.  And curious people need time and space to experiment.  As Max McKeown in last Saturday’s Guardian says, “You may think that you are more creative under pressure but research shows the opposite is true.  Your boss think the best way to get results is to keep you as busy as hell, but he’s wrong.” 

Creativity needs space and overscheduling squeezes out spontaneity.  Google, Apple and Genentech provide employees with a day a week to come up with ideas.  More than half their new products come from projects started using slack time. 

So the question is;  “How are you going to create and then use your slack time?”.  Reduce distractions, cancel meetings, get out of the office.  Go for a walk, meet in the pub, slack at the coffee shop or at an art gallery.  Make time, during work hours, for reading, sleeping, meditating, thinking. 

Here is a technique that will help you to create space and eliminate the experience of stress in the middle of mayhem.  It will will you a booster jab of calmness and focus that will help you maximise your performance under pressure and even increase your creativity.

Simply click on the link below to view the video.  Or watch it now on this blog by clicking the play button on the screen to the right.

 The Gift of Space video