Frank Zappa had a great quote, "Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid." He speaks the truth. The trick is not to be a passive listener.

Turn off your Fergie Ferg and try some Bach! The 'Mozart Effect' was the result of a study that revealed that classical music stimulates the right-brain and makes the listener more intellectual. We all want to be intellectual, don't we?

If you don't own any classical music, you can tune into one of the many classical music stations that stream online.

Music really stimulates my creativity. I love listening to something completely different - some sitar music or some gypsy guitar or something avant garde from the 80s.

One of my favorites is the song "Chocolate Cake" by Crowded House (You know I'm a Crowded House mega-fan, if you frequent our Inspirations blog). The song is filled with strange sound effects and has an incredible stereo mix. Once, I was at the dentist and they gave me some nitrous oxide, aka laughing gas. I had my headphones on with Chocolate Cake on my iPod and, boy, that makes the song sound really different! There's a whole other layer of the cake I never knew existed!

I digress, pop on some good quality headphones and sit back and really listen to the music. Focus on one single instrument or how the left and right channels play off each other. Listen for sounds you've never heard. Trust me, it's there.

Around here, there are lunchtime pops concerts at a music hall that are free. You just bring a sack lunch. If you can't leave your office, you can always close your office door and get up and dance. Moving your body will release some tension and get the blood flowing back to your brain. Plus, it's fun.

Or, how about making some noise? Get your office mates together for an impromptu drum circle. You can beat on your desks, laps, whatever you might have around. Beat out patterns and imitate each other. "This game strengthens your child audio memory, improves the brain connectivity and improves pattern recognition.", according to Parenting Ideas.org. Yeah, I'm a parent, I read that kind of stuff, but if it works for kids, why not try it out? You think I'm lying? Check out this Right Brain Tests for artists which is a live drum lecture. The rhythmical break is not only satisfying but will hopefully inspire you.

Or, take it to the extreme. I never knew the magic you can create with a leek.

Labels: Creativity