Collaboration and working together drastically changed in the last few years. Whether you work remotely, hybrid, or in person we want to share some tips on how to strengthen productivity and creativity.

At TwoLine studios, we are continually drawing upon ways to help our clients utilize creativity. Below are five tips to not only increase your creative flow but also strike an emotional balance that will lead to a more productive workday. 

1. Create a List: What three tasks are most impactful for the day? Complete these first to achieve a sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day.  

2. Block Your Calendar: Multi-tasking is the enemy of productivity. Block-like tasks to keep your energy flowing. We like to schedule client calls and team meetings in the first half of the day to build time for focused creative work in the afternoons.

3. Build Creative Constraints: When 4-hour chunks of time are not possible during the day, try the opposite.  Break down project tasks into 15-minute segments. Set an alarm and focus your undivided attention. See how productive you are when you remove your judgment and focus on execution. 

4. Buddy Up: Find an accountability partner and video call with them while you work. Bouncing ideas off of someone not only sparks creativity but camaraderie and laughter can increase your drive to continue working. 

5. Move Your Body: Our brains are more alert when we are oxygenated. Stand up every 30 minutes to move your body. Grab a glass of water, walk and talk on a call, or try standing at your laptop. Major bonus points for doing a handstand or propping your feet up on the wall, what better way to get the blood moving to your head? 

You may be wondering, how can utilize these practices in my workplace?

One way we build team productivity at TwoLine Studios is to check your participants’ emotional temperature with a question. Some of our favorite questions to ask are as follows: 

• What are you making for dinner tonight? (What is in your control?) 

• What made you smile today? (What are you grateful for?) 

• What song describes your state right now? (How are you REALLY doing?)  

Another way to spark creativity is to take inventory of all the skills and attributes that support the project. In Heather Willems, founder of TwoLine Studios, book, Draw Your Big Idea, The Tool Belt Exercise is a visual metaphor that shows us each of our strengths and skills we can deploy in building our future. Like a real tool belt, we rely on some tools more than others, but occasionally the specialized and hardly used tool is the perfect fit required. Other times we find that we have to improvise with what we have.

“Modern work environments should encourage, but not dictate, the most productive behaviors. The idea is to design an environment that encourages the collaboration and experimentation so crucial to creative work, while also empowering teams to adapt as new challenges arise.”

- David Aycan

Taking inventory of your skills gives you the confidence to begin working. After completing this exercise, people are often surprised about how many tools they already have. They are ready to start building. Knowing where your strengths are can direct you to places you are ready to jump into. Equally as important, it helps you identify places in your journey where you need help or training. This way you can identify attributes of your creative skill set and how to strengthen it moving forward. So, take a moment to think: What is in your creative tool belt? 

Try drawing your big idea with TwoLine Studios founder, Heather Willems, book.

Two Line Studios has been helping brands communicate virtually for years. Our facilitator-led sessions implement a Clarity Through Creativity®™ approach using visuals, storytelling, and creative inspiration — even when getting together in person is not possible. Subscribe to our newsletter below for ways to foster collective engagement and connection.