Creativity is the new economy, ideas, innovations are the differentiators. Everyone is looking for that next great product, concept or innovation that will help them differentiate. Being fast is not good enough — there are a billion people who will do faster and cheaper. Being big is no guarantee — Kodak, Blockbuster — Too big to fail, think again. Being creative is the only salvation.

Our imagination is the new resource, and it’s renewable, it’s not harmful to the environment, it doesn't require huge factories, or labor movement, we don’t need to go to war to protect it and it’s free. The wealth creation of today is in our brain, just look around and you will see the leaders of today’s new economy : Facebook , Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google, just to name a few, all created from this new source…your imagination

So how do we exploit this new source of wealth creation, how do we create an environment where ideas flourish and grow. We must first get to understand how our brain works, what fuel’s it, what it needs to grow and create.

In the book Spark, the author explains that fresh oxygen is the key to creating clean clear connections between the brains neuron. He states “Research from neuroscientist William Greenough from Berkeley, found that environmental stimulation from exercise, learning and social contacts caused the synapses in the brain to form more connections, and those connections had thicker myelin sheaths, which allowed them to fire signals more efficiently. What this means is that you have the power to change your brain. All you have to do is lace up your running shoes”

So on my birthday, my daughter in law, Jessie, gave me a great gift. She is an Crossfit enthusiast, and her gift would be to perform the number of burpees that equal my age, 56. I thought this was a perfect gift, so I asked my co workers if they would join me in doing 56 burpees at the office, two accepted. So Friday morning we met in the hall and it was difficult, I had never done that many burpees, surprisingly it only took 6 minutes. (Here is the video)

After a brief rest, I started to focus on the task at hand and I couldn't believe the ideas that were flowing through my mind. Those who know me, know that I exercise for energy, I do it to work better, play better and be a better person. It only took 6 minutes be able to tap into this fantastic source of energy and creativity.

Robin Sharma would encourage us to do the 20-20-20 habit three times a day. First 20 minutes of exercise, then 20 minutes of learning, and finally 20 minutes of journaling or creating. Do it in the morning to get a great start of your day. Do it at lunch instead of coffee. Do it before going home so you can focus on being a great husband,wife,mom or dad. All you have to do is bring your heartbeat up between 75% to 90% of your maximum heart rate, for me that's 92 — 147 for 6 minutes. Imagine how creative we would be if we all adopted this daily habit, imagine how inspired we would be if we all had the courage to give the gift of 56 burpees.

By: Yves Doucet.

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