Welcome to The New Mind Studio — your weekly space to connect, reflect, and grow.
What if creativity didn't require talent? Just two minutes?
Today, I'm sharing my favorite "Two-Minute Studios", quick creativity exercises that train your brain to think differently.
Think of them as mental cross-training for innovative thinking and adaptive leadership.
Let's dive in:
CONNECT
It’s easy to say, “Creativity isn’t for me.” “I can’t draw.” “I’m not good at writing.”
“I’m not one of those fancy artists staring at a canvas in an atelier.”
But creativity isn’t a personality type. And it’s definitely not reserved for “the artsy people.” It can be a better process, a new way to phrase a message, a clever experiment, or a simpler workflow.
It’s a mode you enter. And modes are for everyone, aren't they?
And the best part? You can enter it in two minutes. While you’re waiting for the kettle, walking to the shop, or standing at a bus stop.
I call these Two-Minute Studios. They do three things for innovative thinking:
Build mental flexibility
You practice seeing things from new angles. Like training a muscle. So when a real problem shows up at work. a strategy roadblock, a team conflict, a priority clash, your brain doesn't freeze. It shifts. It explores. It finds options.
Give permission for "bad ideas"
You get comfortable not knowing the answer right away. You let yourself try something weird. Something messy. Something that might not work. And that's where the good ideas hide.
Break your default pattern
Most days, your brain runs on autopilot. Same routes. Same routines. Same solutions. When you practice thinking differently, your brain remembers: "We can do this a new way."
Curious how it works? Let me show you.
REFLECT
Choose one Two-Minute Studio. Expect no outcomes. Start moving, explore, experiment, and most importantly, have fun.
Here are 5 of my favorites:
1. Share a tiny museum with a friend
A tiny creative gift with no explanation: One object that feels oddly beautiful. A photo of the prettiest light you saw today. A weird shadow, pattern, or sticker.
Why it works: You're not trying to impress. Just sharing what caught your eye. You start noticing shareable moments everywhere. Random acts create delight.
Creative muscle: Curation. Deciding what's worth noticing and sharing. The same skill you use when presenting ideas, designing experiences, or communicating strategy.
2. Invent on the spot
Turn boring waits into mini world-building: At a bus stop, look around ad ask: Who’s going where, and why? Give one person a tiny story: The taxi driver practicing his “Oscar speech” at red lights, because tonight he’s doing his first open mic.
Why it works: No time to overthink. You make things up right now. Trains your "what if?" reflex. Boredom becomes play.
Creative muscle: Reframing. Seeing familiar things in completely new ways. This is how you spot opportunities others miss in strategy, product development, and leadership.
3. Take a different route
Change your path. Spot three new things: A building detail, colorful tiles, unusual window. A plant you've never noticed. A funny sign, birdsong, unknown language.
Why it works: Interrupts autopilot. Shifts you from "getting there" to "noticing." New inputs = more creative options later.
Creative muscle: Curiosity. Deliberately seeking novelty instead of efficiency. This is how you stay adaptable when your industry, team, or strategy needs to shift.
4. Cook with one new ingredient
Add one new thing to something familiar: Swap rice for quinoa. Add za'atar to eggs. Try one new herb or sauce.
Why it works: Low-risk experiment. Engages all your senses. Celebrates the attempt.
Creative muscle: Iteration. Starting with something familiar and making one intentional change. This is exactly how you innovate in products, processes, and team culture.
5. Constraint play
Add one creative limit to your next task: Write your next email in 5 lines max. Explain your project using only 3 bullets.
Why it works: Limits force clarity. You can't hide behind more words. Sparks unexpected solutions.
Creative muscle: Constraint-based thinking. How you innovate when resources are tight or time is short.
GROW
There's a quote that captures this perfectly: "Creativity is intelligence having fun." — Albert Einstein
That's what Two-Minute Studios are. Small. Low-stakes. Playful.You're not waiting for inspiration. You're not aiming for perfection.
You're becoming more flexible. More present. More alive.
Let’s carry the change,
Nadia
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