4 things you can do to be happier, smarter, and more emotionally aware

Raise your hand if you want to be happier, smarter, and more emotionally aware. If your palm is in the air, you’ll be pleased to know that the activities that will get you there will also help you become more creative. Because even if you know how creative you are (if you don’t, take this four-minute word test), there’s always room for improvement. From podcasts to productivity hacks, there are a host of ways to cultivate creativity along with specific rules to break and strategies that promise to make you as prolific as Picasso. And lest we forget, there are ways to unleash more creativity when you’re collaborating. Ultimately, you may just find that your creativity is so supercharged, you can channel it into a side hustle. —Lydia Dishman   productivity secrets 4 things you can do to be happier, smarter, and more emotionally aware An entrepreneur is a “big believer” that we can all live happier and healthier lives with a little creative inspiration on a regular basis. These are the activities that help you get there. READ MORE   career evolution 7 side hustles for the creative entrepreneur Times of financial strain call for inventive thinking with your income streams. READ MORE   creativity test How creative are you? This 4-minute word test will tell you According to researchers from McGill, Harvard, and the University of Melbourne, a quick test could reveal how much creative potential lies within. READ MORE

The 9 best podcasts to make you more creative Get the creative juices flowing with podcasts on circular design, UX, and a lot more. READ MORE

productivity secrets These are the rules to break if you want to be more creative “When we relieve the constant urge to fix, mend, and complete, our work flourishes in the most unexpectedly beautiful ways.” READ MORE   recommender This meditation training device will help you make mindfulness part of your daily routine The Core Meditation Trainer from Hyperice is made for people who need help maintaining a consistent meditation practice. READ MORE   productivity secrets 3 ways to cultivate your artistic and creative side Productivity may be the shiny lure ambitious people chase after, but creativity’s lasting impact is the ultimate catch. READ MORE   creative strategies 3 creative strategies that can make you as prolific as Edison, Mozart, and Picasso Creativity, like all forms of progress, doesn’t just happen. It needs to be cultivated and developed. And it requires a certain way of looking at the process and results. READ MORE   how to be a success The fascinating brain chemistry behind team collaboration and unbridled creativity When we feed our brain dopamine, endorphins, and a whole lot of other goodies, the resulting ‘brain cocktail’ gets the creative juices flowing, says this collaboration expert. READ MORE   recommender Sanzo’s Asian-inspired sparkling water is the antidote to LaCroix fatigue Take your pick: lychee, mango, or calamansi. READ MORE     events The Fast Company Innovation Festival September 27-30: The seventh annual Fast Company Innovation Festival returns this year as an immersive hybrid experience, featuring four days of inspirational keynote interviews, in-depth panels, and interactive workshops.  LEARN MORE     FREE SPONSORED E-BOOK OF THE DAY How to Play to Your Strengths Click here to download your free e-book.     Thanks for reading! Have questions or comments? Email us at newsletters@fastcompany.com. Have a great evening! SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER   Support strength in journalism Join Fast Company Premium for $1   You can update your details here. If you don’t want to receive Compass anymore, unsubscribe here If you were forwarded Compass and like it, subscribe here View this newsletter online 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007-2195