When I see the Twitter Fail Whale, I smile and comment to myself, “hey, Mr. Whale, sometimes I feel that way, too.”  In a world of 140 characters, checking in, updating your status, responding to emails, pivoting in pivot tables, attending meetings, and other obligations – how do I find time to keep my mind sharp and think creatively throughout the work day?  In other words, how can I keep it fresh?

Below are three simple recommendations.  But first, I would like to share a quote that has personally changed my perspective on keeping things fresh.  I quote Emerson:

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier – not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased.”

Make Fresh Goals

When we don’t set goals our mind and attention is easily diverted from what is the most important.  For the purpose of this specific post, let’s talk about “daily” freshness.  The first thing to do each morning is make a daily plan with some fresh goals helping you determine what is the most important and what is not.   At the end of the day, review your performance and course-correct where/when needed.  Don’t just do it–make it happen.

Find Fresh Inspiration

People inspire me.  Take time to ask questions, and then listen.  Our internal teams are filled with incredibly talented, diverse, and creative people, and I enjoy engaging in daily conversations with them.  They help me see and discover new ways to approach problems and how to solve them.  There are also several blogs and websites that I visit on a consistent basis that provide inspiration.  If you would like to know a few of my favorites, let me know. I am happy to share @derekminer.

Get Some Fresh Air

Ok, deep breath. Feel better? (Probably, unless your office is in the Utah Valley Business Park and the wind from the treatment plant is blowing N, NE – breathe deep again later.)  If you’re like me and spend the majority of your day in front of a computer, your index finger is likely the only thing in optimal physical shape from a day of clicking.  Take time to get up and walk around.  Otherwise, your joints will do the clicking for you.  That’s right, step away from the machine.   It’s essential to get up and walk around.  Remember, you’re limited to 140 in some things, but not steps.  Get outside and don’t work through lunch (unless you have a blog post that is overdue).

I personally struggle with some of the thoughts that I have shared, but it sure is fun learning, exploring, and getting back up and trying again.  Whether today is great or not is up to you.  Be persistent; find something fresh in your journey each day.  Go ahead–it’s time to freshen up your day.