Routine vs. randomness - what’s best for new ideas?

Creative thinking and the default mode network

Welcome to The Smarter Brain, a curation of thought-provoking ideas and actionable reads to help you build better habits and become more productive.

Happy reading - See you on Sunday!

Cheers,

The Smarter Brain Team

Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins

3 Ideas for Better Habits

Curiosity is the Source of Creativity

Science writer, Jonah Lehrer, on the mysteries of creativity.

We need to be willing to risk embarrassment, ask silly questions, surround ourselves with people who don't know what we're talking about. We need to leave behind the safety of our expertise.”

Synthesize for Breakthroughs

Psychologist and human potential advocate, Scott Barry Kaufman, on the depths of self-actualization.

Creative people are hubs of diverse interests, influences, behaviors, qualities, and ideas - and through their work, they find a way to bring these many disparate elements together.”

The World Shapes Your Thoughts

Science writer and cognitive science advocate, Annie Murphy Paul, on the untapped power of the extended mind.

What we shouldn’t do is keep our thoughts inside our heads, inert, unchanged by encounters with the world beyond the skull.”

Stay Completely Organized

Use it solo or collaborate with your entire team.

Create your Second Brain in Notion and regain mastery over your personal and professional world. This turnkey system leverages the proven P.A.R.A. framework—engineered to help you capture ideas, structure information, and retrieve what matters exactly when you need it.

Stop draining energy on scattered notes and forgotten deadlines. Whether you’re driving individual projects or coordinating across teams, this setup provides a dependable, streamlined way to keep your objectives front and center.

Productivity Tools and Resources

Daydreams Drive Discovery

Discover how the brain’s Default Mode Network quietly links ideas, memories, and emotions to fuel creative insights - even when you’re not consciously trying. Learn more about the Default Mode Network’s role in creativity.

Dmn: The Secret to Creative Leaps

Explore how purposeful mind-wandering and a well-tuned DMN can help unlock original ideas and deepen creative thought. Find out how mind-wandering unlocks creative thought.

Sleep Smarter. Meditate Deeper

Muse S is a brain-sensing headband that helps you meditate, sleep, and relax more effectively by providing real-time feedback on your brain activity, heart rate, and breath - guiding you toward deeper calm and better rest. Discover the science behind Muse S for better sleep and focus.

Your Productivity Playlist

Focus@Will is a music service designed to boost your concentration and productivity by delivering scientifically curated playlists that optimize your brain’s focus and minimize distractions.

What We're Reading

Mind Hacks Newsletter - Dive into the fascinating workings of your brain, uncover practical insights from psychology and neuroscience, and learn how small mental shifts can lead to big changes. Each issue delivers science-backed strategies, cognitive tools, and thought-provoking ideas to help you think sharper, feel better, and live more intentionally.

Positive Neuroscience Newsletter - Discover how your brain supports well-being, resilience, and human flourishing. Each issue explores uplifting research, actionable insights, and the science behind positive emotions, meaning, and connection - offering practical tools to help you thrive with a deeper understanding of your mind.

Brain Food

Today I Learned: Hearing your own name triggers a unique brain reaction, even when you’re asleep or in a coma. (Source)

Science: A drop of liquid mercury will not wet your skin or most surfaces due to its high surface tension. (Source)

Have a productive rest of your week,

The Smarter Brain Team

Resource Spotlight

Calming Practices, Resilience Builders, Mindful Habits

This guide reveals simple, science-backed strategies to soothe the nervous system, reduce stress, and cultivate inner calm. Perfect for anyone seeking practical tools to stay grounded amid life’s chaos, it empowers you to build emotional resilience and foster lasting peace - without complicated rituals or expensive techniques.

Creative Networks, Brain Insights, Innovation Boosters

This dispatch explores the dynamic brain networks that fuel creativity, revealing how different regions collaborate to spark innovative ideas. Designed for thinkers, makers, and innovators eager to understand and enhance their creative process, it offers science-backed insights to help you unlock fresh perspectives and breakthrough solutions.

Mental Models, Clear Thinking, Smarter Decisions

This dispatch dives into essential mental models that sharpen your reasoning and simplify complex problems. Crafted for lifelong learners, problem solvers, and decision-makers, it offers practical frameworks to cut through noise and think more effectively - turning knowledge into wiser, faster action.

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