Trial Magazine

We constantly run up against the limits of the 24-hour day. As we struggle to prioritize work, family, and other “musts, shoulds, and wants,” some activities—such as taking a walk or reading a novel—can seem like a poor use of time.

But think of it another way—in terms of brain input and output. For the most productive, creative output, you have to feed your brain a variety of quality input: words, images, sounds, and thoughts. You won’t find that at work among the typo-ridden emails, uninspired briefs, and tedious discovery. You must look elsewhere.

The better you read, the better you write. Strive to read good authors in different genres—nonfiction, fiction, short stories, and poetry. You will get varied examples of structure, tone, syntax, and vocabulary that will make your own writing fresher and freer.

Variety is key. Our work may focus on the written word, but we are primarily thinkers and analyzers. Take in art, music, and nature; doodle; play an ­instrument or a sport; or do a puzzle—all encourage creative connections and insights that can improve your work.

Quiet counts, too. In this hyper-connected world, idle time is refreshing for your brain. Next time you’re in a taxi, ignore your phone and let your mind wander as you look out the window. Physical wandering can also spark insight. Take a different route to work, or walk to a coffee shop in a new neighborhood.

While you occupy your brain with something fresh, it processes other tasks in the background—you will return to work with a new idea or a leap past the writer’s block. An hour spent refueling your brain is worth several hours of slogging through without a break. It may feel like “wasting time,” but feeding your brain a varied diet of quality input will allow it to stretch in different ways, making your work that much better.

Annika K. Martin is a partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein in New York City. She can be reached at akmartin@lchb.com.