I believe that inspiration comes from stillness.
In order to allow fresh creative thoughts to flourish, we need to rid the mind of its many distractions. I use meditation regularly to focus and get an edge in various situations. Once you get the hang of it, it is possible to achieve complete stillness of mind in as little as 30 seconds.
I have used this technique immediately prior to big pitches to ensure that I am 100% present and engaged in the moment. This is how I get into my "flow state", achieving greater clarity in my thinking and in my expression.
I do a fair amount of public speaking and so regularly meditate before giving a speech. I find it helps bring me fully into the topic that I am speaking about, and allows me to compose my thoughts in a more structured way.
Ten minutes of meditation in the morning rewards me with more time across my day, due to my increased ability to focus and think strategically. I am able to prioritise effectively and accomplish the most important tasks of the day before checking my emails and switching to "reactive mode".
I recommend meditation and mindfulness to people all the time. I can’t think of an instance where someone wouldn’t benefit from it. The most common objection is: "I don’t have time." I can relate to that. I have three young kids and a hectic schedule. But it’s just about finding a time that works for you and repeating it for long enough to embed the habit into your routine.
If anyone is interested in giving it a try, the easiest way to get into it is via an app, which can take you on a journey from beginner to pro. Some apps also have a range of meditations tailored to help with specific areas such as motivation, anxiety, patience, happiness and more.
Once mastered, stillness and focus can be achieved by simply taking a deep breath and getting into the moment. A game-changer.
Adam Graham is chair at the British Interactive Media Association (Bima).