Most professionals live their working lives in “busy beta”—a great place for getting things done, but a lousy place for fresh ideas.

Having led innovation and creativity at a global entertainment company, I’ve seen firsthand how novel ideas don’t necessarily happen with a jam-packed calendar. They happen when we step out of it. And yet, most of us spend our days pinging between meetings, inboxes and tasks, trapped in what I call “busy beta.” ​

Busy beta is like a laser: focused, productive and precise. It’s the state that gets the job done, and make no mistake, we need it. But try brainstorming a bold new idea in busy beta, and you’ll likely get more of what you already know. Instead, I find that creativity requires something different—a state that’s more relaxed, more curious and more playful. ​

The Four Brain States Every Leader Should Know ​

Over the years, I’ve seen thousands of professionals unlock more creativity, better insights and faster problem-solving simply by learning to shift between four core brain states. Each one serves a different function. To learn all about Amazing Alpha, Thoughtful Theta, and Dream Delta, read the full article over on Forbes.

Photo Credit: Getty/Forbes.