Mantras (mind-tools) for Creativity

My creative practice is improvisational and in order for me to make anything that communicates a sense of presence to the viewer, I have to be present when I'm making it. My improvised work is informed by design but mostly it comes from within. It's what I call the rhythm of attention. {Stay tuned for future posts on The Rhythm of Attention.}

As I blog along I will be introducing some of the "mantras" I use to stay present. By mantra I don't mean a simple repetitive chant, but an actual mind-tool or exercise for things like centering, undoing anxiety, releasing tension, connecting with emotions and dealing with distractions.

Rowing the Boat:

What do you do to stay focused and present while crafting? Do you have any rituals to get your creative juices flowing? What do you do when you're stuck or bored? etc.