Unleashing Regenerative Creativity: How AI Frees Time for What Matters Most

"Where others find boredom, creative minds tend gardens of wonder - each empty moment ripening into new possibilities” - Michael Muyot

How Regenerative Creativity Sparks Connection and Innovation

Entrepreneurs thrive on vision and action, but creativity is often treated as a secondary resource—a bonus after the “real work” is done. Yet creativity isn’t finite; it’s a renewable resource that grows with care and intention.

As someone who spent a quarter century in the hyper-competitive world of FinTech in one of the most fast paced cities, NYC. Yes, I emerged as a thought leader in the pioneering of Sustainable Investing and ESG data intelligence, however there were many aspects that no longer serve me. I’m grateful that I know what it takes to go from an extractive mindset to a regenerative lifestyle.

Before moving to Greenville, SC after half a century living and working in New York, I planned a 4 month retreat in a cabin at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains to rest, recover and give myself the gift of true creative space and time before jumping into my next set of ventures. It was the gift that keeps on giving and still pays dividends to this day. It also helped me find my next calling and design a series of purposeful missions. The open space and free time, allowed me to really listen to my mind, body and spirit and learn to respond vs. react.

And here’s one of the big challenges that I faced along the way: when we free up time using tools like AI, we often fill it with more work instead of creativity. A HBR study showed that 60% of employees feel busier after adopting productivity tools, despite reclaiming hours of administrative time.

I used to fall into this trap—thinking freed time was an opportunity to hustle harder. What I didn’t realize was that constantly filling the void wasn’t progress; it was depletion. Regenerative creativity flipped that for me. It showed me that creativity thrives in moments of stillness, exploration, and connection—not just during productivity sprints.

Twyla Tharp, who created over 160 acclaimed works that transformed modern dance through the world's most prestigious companies, revolutionized creative development by proving that artistic innovation emerges from systematic discipline rather than sporadic inspiration. Her insight that "Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is a result of good work habits" fundamentally shifted how institutions approach creativity globally, demonstrating through her own rigorous methods that structured practice elevates rather than constrains artistic brilliance.

The Creativity Paradox: Why We Default to Work

Imagine automating 15 hours of repetitive tasks in a week. For most people, that newfound time quickly gets swallowed by email replies back and forth, meeting prep, note taking and follow-ups, or tasks that mimic busyness but offer little real value. Why? Because we’re conditioned to equate busyness with productivity.

This default response kills creativity. The solution? Intentionally designing our free time to fuel curiosity, rest, and innovation. Yes, rest, just ask any professional athletic trainer about the regenerative value of proper rest and relaxation after intense training.

For me, this meant questioning what I truly wanted to create and carving out space to let ideas grow. It’s like giving your mind a chance to breathe after running a marathon—you don’t just stop; you actively recover.

How AI Supports Regenerative Creativity

AI isn’t the answer—it’s the enabler. By automating the noise, AI frees your energy for more meaningful pursuits. Here’s how I’ve used AI as a co-pilot in creating space for creativity:

1. Effortless Automation: Tools like Zapier, Make, and n8n streamline repetitive workflows—scheduling, follow-ups, and reporting vanish into the background. With multi-step automation, you reclaim time and energy for what truly matters.

2. Accessible Information: Notion isn’t just an organizational tool—it’s your digital brain. Store everything in one place, and let its AI generate executive summaries, synthesize insights from multiple documents, and deliver clarity at a glance.

3. Streamlined Thinking: ChatGPT eliminates mental clutter and fast-tracks analysis. It uncovers meta-themes, maps intersections, and highlights patterns in seconds—letting you save energy for high-level strategy and innovation.

4. Meeting Mastery Made Simple: Fathom transforms meetings into actionable insights. With automated note-taking, polished summaries, and tailored outputs, staying engaged becomes effortless. Share key takeaways with just a click.

5. Precision in Action: Claude, the physical AI note-taker, captures conversations with laser accuracy. Its unique ability to create mind maps transforms complex ideas into clear, actionable visuals, unlocking new dimensions of collaboration.

Practical Example from My Life:

When I first automated 12 hours of admin work, I didn’t know what to do with the time. I started small—blocking off two hours a week for “white space.” Those sessions became my creative playground, where I brainstormed new ideas and explored what truly energized me. Within a month, I developed a workshop concept that redefined my business model.

What Is Regenerative Creativity?

Regenerative creativity means moving away from extraction and depletion—burning yourself out to generate ideas—and toward creating systems that replenish you. It’s about designing an environment where creativity can thrive.

As Tharp reminds us, “Without the little ideas, there are no big ideas.” This is the essence of regenerative creativity—cultivating habits and environments that allow small sparks to build into transformative ideas.

Here’s what it looks like in practice:

• Free Thinking: Walking, journaling, or staring out the window without an agenda.

• Exploration: Meeting new people, diving into different fields, or chasing a random curiosity.

• Restorative Practices: Prioritizing rest, mindfulness, or activities that recharge your emotional and mental energy.

Creativity grows in these spaces. The more you nurture it, the more it multiplies—not just in your work but across your entire life.

The Ripple Effect: How Creativity Impacts Everything

Investing in creativity doesn’t just make you more innovative—it creates ripples that touch every part of your life:

• Health: Creativity reduces stress and increases mental clarity.

• Wealth: New ideas often lead to innovative solutions and lucrative opportunities.

• Resilience: Creativity helps you adapt to challenges and thrive in uncertainty.

Tharp puts it best: “Our ability to grow is directly proportional to an ability to entertain the uncomfortable.” Creativity asks us to step outside our comfort zones, embrace uncertainty, and imagine possibilities we hadn’t yet considered.

Your Opportunity to Redesign Time

Free time is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility. How you use it determines whether it becomes a wellspring of creativity or just another space for busyness.

What will you do with the time AI frees for you?

Tips, Tricks, and Cheat Codes: Maximizing Your Reclaimed Time

1. Tip: Schedule "White Space" for Unstructured Thinking

Try blocking out an hour or two of time, let’s call it White Space, that is completely unstructured to think, create and be. I’ve found that my best Creative White Space is either when I first wake up when my mind is clear and my eyes are fresh or by going somewhere new and I leave all work behind. I’ll go sit in the lobby of a fancy hotel, have tea or coffee and just allow myself to be inspired by my new environment to spark new creative ideas. I only bring a notebook, journal or sketch pad to capture the inspiration and nuggets of innovation.

According to the American Psychological Association, unstructured time increases creativity and problem-solving skills by at least 20%. More simply put, Creative minds don't know boredom - they transform empty moments into playgrounds of possibility.

2. Trick: Engage in Restorative Practices

Here are some of my favorite and free restorative habits: sit quietly and meditate, go on an early morning walk in a new area, and listen to music or frequencies that reliably recharge me. I know all of these work for me because I feel reinvigorated afterwards every time.

According to the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, mindfulness can improve focus and reduce stress by up to 32%, increasing productivity.

3. Cheat Code: Plan Exploratory Activities

This one is a little bit of a stretch at times and that can lead to some unexpected insights or connections. I’ve found attending a workshop on completely new subject matter out of my sphere of influence and comfort zone usually sparks some very new and innovative creative sparks. There is something about really stretching myself (mind, body and spirit) in new and uncomfortable ways. I have a tendency to shake loose those fruits for projects and ideas I’m actively working on.

An interesting study from LinkedIn Learning states that 85% of professionals say creative thinking is crucial for problem-solving and workplace success.

As the boundaries between human creativity and artificial intelligence continue to blur, one truth remains crystal clear: our capacity for regenerative creativity becomes more vital, not less. By intentionally designing our newly freed time as gardens of possibility rather than fields of endless productivity, we unlock what technology alone cannot provide - the uniquely human ability to find wonder in stillness and transform empty moments into breakthrough innovations. The tools are ready; the time is available. The only question that remains is: will you tend your garden of creativity with the same dedication you give to your inbox? Start today by blocking just one hour of White Space in your calendar this week - you might be surprised at what blooms when you give your mind room to grow.