Executive Toys: 10 Creativity Boosters!

Really? Really! Robert Pirsig (he wrote ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’) once said,“Boredom always proceeds a period of great creativity”. So….. next time your mind is stuck in neutral, pick up a toy and accelerate your creativity! May we suggest:

Magnetic Sculpture-Yeah. It’s a desk top staple for several good reasons: the mindless manipulation of the magnets is tactilely soothing, if you actually create a recognizable form it is a real pat on the back, and they are so inexpensive!
Nerd Glasses– Pop a pair of these plastic spectacles on to look and feel like a true MENSA member!
Workplace Jungle Flashcards-This is some of the best-written work-related humor. Just flipping the card to match your mood is cathartic.
Head Massager– Maybe your thoughts stuck in your left lobe and need to flow through your right lobe before making it jump to paper. Why not give yourself a little head massage? Can’t hurt!
Zombie Sleep Mask– I’ve read numerous places that a little midday nap can revitalize body and brain. Slap on this super awesome sleep mask to let your coworkers know it is ‘Do not disturb me” time!
Math Mug– Two of the most creative people I know drink daily out of this mug. Maybe it’s the mug;maybe it is the coffee.
Classic Sounds Noise Machine- I live for silly noises! They wake me up, make me laugh which marinate the old grey matter in oxygen which feeds the ideas, which gets me working……Just get one!
Caffeinated Lip Balm– I am a huge fan of caffeine. I like the lip balm because don’t stain anything when I drop it off my desk.
Tangle Junior– Did you know that some offices put a pile of Tangles in the middle of a desk to help their employees brainstorm? Tis true I just can’t remember where I read it!
And, DRUM ROLL, PLEASE: The Creative Whack Pack-I have been using one of these for decades. I often loan them out…..those are the dark periods before I get a new creative whack pack. It can be literally or, preferably, figuratively a whack on the side of the head. Unless you are a ditch digger, you need one of these for you job.