‘Mindfulness is the process of actively noticing new things. When you do that, it puts you in the present. It makes you more sensitive to context and perspective. It’s the essence of engagement. And it’s energy-begetting, not energy-consuming.’

you should collect whatever you fancy. And some things are obvious: images, quotes, facts. But there are non-obvious things that will come in handy one day. Analogies, metaphors, ideas, models, assumptions, habits, patterns, vibes, objects that express ideas, images that evoke occasions, things you don’t understand yet but that you feel will mean

First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Octavia E. Butler

Task switching increases creativity. If you want to be creative, you should actually be switching tasks a lot more than you are already.

Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager. Susan Sontag

Start a list. Capture a thing a week for 10 weeks. Write a blog post about them all.

Juxtaposition works. So mix things up. Pursue more than one interest. Stick things that look different next to each other. Move things around. Make something a fixed point and move other ideas/objects/pictures around it to see what happens. Make your interests messy. This is how slow hunches happen. It’s also a really good creative shortcut.

More tips are available from blogger Giles Turnbull: see gilest.org/weeknotes-tips

Create a ‘noticings’ file on your phone. Put it on the Home screen.