You might not like this idea if you're not keen on disturbing your sleep, but it's something to try if you're stuck on a problem or need to generate better ideas. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier than normal and, in that groggy, beary-eyed state, write down your thoughts.
Fast Company explains two reasons why our brains might come up with better solutions in the early morning. The first is, while you're asleep, your brain processes the day's information so it's more useful the next day. If you've ever gone to sleep thinking or worrying about something and then seemingly came up with the solution in your sleep, you've seen this at work.
The second reason is we tend to be more creative and less inhibited when we're sleepy.
Just remember to keep a pen and paper by your bedside for those eureka moments.
Photo by France1978.