A powerful way to unleash your natural creativity | Tim Harford (TED)

A Powerful Way to Unleash Your Natural Creativity
In this engaging TED Talk, economist and journalist Tim Harford introduces us to the transformative concept of “slow‑motion multitasking”—the intentional juggling of multiple projects at a relaxed pace. Drawing on the routines of luminaries like Einstein, Darwin, Twyla Tharp, and Michael Crichton, Harford argues that moving slowly between diverse pursuits sparks fresh connections and keeps creativity flowing. He highlights three key benefits: applying an idea across contexts, cross‑training the mind like an athlete, and allowing problems to incubate subconsciously while engaged in other work. Instead of fast-switching impulsively, Harford suggests embracing purposeful, unhurried transitions among tasks—writing your project titles on cards, boxing ideas away like Tharp, and returning to them when inspiration strikes. The result? A more relaxed, resilient, and creative workflow that leverages messiness, variety, and the power of mental cross-pollination .