WIN NYC x Smart Design: Making the Mental Space for Creativity and Innovation
IBM recently named creativity as the single most important leadership skill in a world that’s become more uncertain and complex. As innovation professionals, we know that creativity is critical to our success, yet work's rollercoaster of exhilaration and stress can often inhibit our creative flow. So what can we do to stay creative in the midst of our daily challenges?
In October, WIN NYC and Smart Design came together to help women learn the ins and outs of staying creative with lessons in both the theory and practice of making mental space for creativity. The secret? A combination of mindfulness and stress management.
The event began with Carol J Scott, MD, sharing stress management theory and ended with Ariel Dobshinsky, a certified mindfulness meditation instructor, guiding us through a mind-opening meditation.
Here are three takeaways to help you rethink the role of stress in your life
1. Some stress is “good” stress
Stress is an evolutionarily important emotional and physical experience. Everyone has a “best stress zone”, where a helpful level of stress can be managed and translated into positive outcomes.
2. Designing our best stress zone
Unfortunately, we sometimes extend well beyond the best stress zone, where stress becomes unproductive. By designing, creating, and identifying our personal best stress zone, we can establish priorities and decrease irrational beliefs that lead to “bad” stress. “Stress is not a feeling or condition; it is a cause-and-effect process.”
3. Simple tools can make a big difference
Breathing and meditation can help identify and calm stress responses. As we become better at recognizing emotional and stress triggers, we can also mitigate the negative effects of stress. An abundance of new apps can offer routine access to mindfulness and help optimize mental space.
A huge thank you to Smart Design and our fabulous WIN ambassador Molka Fendri, for helping us tackle this topic and hosting us for the evening. We are especially grateful to the expert presenters, Carol J. Scott and Ariel Dobshinsky for sharing their wisdom and actionable approaches to managing stress. Until next time!
Written by Marcela Madera
Photos taken by Yodai Yosunaga
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