How To Be More Creative Pt.2 “Get Outside”

There's a reason many of history's greatest creative breakthroughs happened during walks. From Einstein to Steve Jobs, creators have long known that something magical happens when we step outside.

Science backs this up. Research shows that time in nature boosts creative problem-solving by up to 50%. It's not just the exercise - it's the separation from screens, the natural patterns, and the change in perspective.

One of my favorite books from last year was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful: Seven Tools For Life and in it he devoted an entire section on problem solving to telling about how whenever he gets stuck on a problem his first solution is to get outside and go for a walk. It’s amazing how our brains seem to open up when we get active but not to the point that we’re over exerted and we’re getting fresh air and sunshine all at the same time. 

In my own creative career I owe a lot of my best ideas to something very similar. I got an electric bike and used it to replace a car for our family for 5 years straight. It was my daily vehicle for getting to work and it would take me about 50 minutes each way. I LOVED those rides. I was able to accomplish so much more mentally, get clarity on issues, and come up with new ideas for projects when I was on that bike than anywhere else, by a long shot. I still use the bike a whole lot and it helps me get unstuck so often.  

You don’t have to go on a grand adventure or take it to the extreme like I did.  A simple walk in a park, sitting under a tree, or watching clouds pass can reset your creative mind. Nature operates on different rhythms than our digital world - slower, more organic, full of unexpected connections.

The key is making it intentional. Schedule your outdoor time like any other important meeting. Leave your phone behind. Let your mind wander.

Remember: creativity needs space to breathe. Sometimes the best way forward is to step outside.