Step 3: Incubate

This may be the most important step of all. During incubation, you take your conscious mind off the project and allow your unconscious mind to work. Sleeping is a very effective form of incubation. Whether you "sleep on it" all night or take a nap, you might wake up with insight. Almost anything you do that puts your mind in a free and relaxed state is conducive to arriving at your eureka moment.

• playing a game (preferably with children)
  
• taking a walk
• playing or listening to music
• going to an art gallery
• taking a drive (long, no traffic)
• going to the library
• cooking or baking
• changing locations
• talking with colleagues (not involved in the project) for another perspective
• participating in a hobby or class
• taking a bath
• doing yoga

Keep your sketchbook handy.

Incubation does not come with a guarantee, but it is an essential part of the creative process. It keeps you from jumping to conclusions or running with an idea that hasn't ripened. When under pressure, even a 15 minute break can make a difference. The point is to take mental focus off the problem at hand and put yourself in a state that nurtures creativity. Openness, calm, freedom, playfulness, and losing track of time are characteristics of the creative state of mind.

Although incubation is placed as step 2 in the process, it is valuable at every stage.