Power up your creative brain, with Brainhack author Neil Pavitt

How’s your brain doing? Today I’m talking with Neil Pavitt about how we can make the most of our grey matter to make us more creative and less stressed.

Neil’s new book Brainhack is a fast, fun user’s guide to the brain, and I quiz him on how we can put his tips into practice in our creative lives.

Neil spent many years as a writer and creative director in creative agencies and companies including Saatchi & Saatchi and BSkyB. We talk about how he overcame the frustrations and self-doubt that could so easily creep in. Agencies often revolve around high-powered creative relationships, but what happens when those burn out?

We also talk about the conflict between stress and creativity – and yet how we need deadlines to get things done. You’ll hear how you’re not nearly as objective as you think you are, and why cognitive bias is ruining your decision making.

And if you’re sitting in a coffee shop, waiting for someone else to arrive, you’ll hear why you should stop checking emails and start gazing out of the window instead.

If you want to use your brain even more effectively to make you the most creative and productive you can be, start here.