Fireworks build. Ideas collide. Connections form. Each week, I go outside my industry bubble to seek inspiration and draw newfound connections to my work. This practice helps expand my thinking, keeps me curious, and ignites my creative muscles.

There is this pressure to put your head down, move as linear as possible, and get things done fast and efficiently. However, I assure you, the time that I take to reset and push outside of my assigned lane, is where I am able to deliver my best contributions. It is also a LOT of fun.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by scrolling through my RSS feed of favorite subscriptions. Today, I'm sharing my top 11 in hopes that it will also add bounce to your steps in 2017.

1. Swissmiss by Tina Roth Eisenberg

Started in 2005, Swissmiss is Tina's personal visual archive. Her posts are the equivalent of me eating Dove Chocolates while watching Leave It To Beaver. Each one shares a sweet optimism through the lens of design. And each provides its own little life lesson - whether it be through a simple quote, emotional video, or new product on display.

2. TrendWatching

TrendWatching delivers a free monthly trend briefing that pushes me to think (1) consumer-first and (2) forward. Briefings are rich with well examined and explained consumer trends met with real business application. Their latest, 5 Consumer Trends for 2017, is da bomb. Note, their content is less snackable more hearty entree. You will need to carve out some time to enjoy.

3. Pew Research

Facts. Real Facts. Facts that are not manipulated by marketing bias. Pew Research shares "issues, attitudes, and trends shaping America and the world" in the most factual, straightforward manner. You'll find me here when I want to better understand the country's thoughts on a subject (religion, fake news, etc.) or the proliferation of social media by the numbers. Here's their latest social media update for all you marketers out there.

4. Convince & Convert by Jay Baer

When I was a junior in college at Arizona State, I was lucky enough to have Jay Baer speak to my classmates and I in a digital marketing 101 class and hear him present at BOLO 2011. Jay is a non-glitzy, smart marketing dude. He has written some of my favorite marketing books and shares a unique POV on happenings in the social/digital marketing space that both beginners and veterans can seriously appreciate.

5. Brand New by UnderConsideration

Brand New, straight from the source, is "opinions on corporate and brand identity work." If you want a perspective or backstory on a brand's new logo (and more), Brand New is your place. Sometimes I agree with their opinions, sometimes I don't, but I sure do appreciate that someone takes the time to cultivate thought behind such things.

6. Ads of the World

Ads of the World brings us ads across mediums: print, digital, and television. It's incredible to see how agencies and brands team up to deliver a message, especially in a country with a culture much different from my own. By scrolling through their content, you'll not only be introduced to a variety of ads, but a variety of brands and industries. Here's one of my favs from the past year.

7. BrandSavant by Tom Webster

Tom is a no-nonsense data guy that specializes in consumer behavior. He has coauthored books with Jay Baer and other notable marketing celebs. He frames up data in the digital space so well, and he leads the charge on data quality. When I'm struggling with an unanswered business problem or am unsatisfied with the answers at hand, I seek out his blog for direction on how to ask better questions. Here's a great example of what I'm talking about.

8. Fast Company's Co.Create

This is where examples of creativity, culture and commerce meet. Some of it is heavy on the brand self-promotion side of things, but all in all, Fast Company provides a healthy helping of inspiration that any marketer should be consuming on a daily or weekly basis. They'll cover topics like virtually reality, ads pushing boundaries, the future of chatbots, and more.

9. Fast Company's Co.Design

Here's another one by Fast Company. I have been following Co.Design since my early college days when I attempted to pursue a double major in Industrial Design and Marketing. End result: graduated with a marketing major and design studies minor. Co.Design provides the best illustration of design thinking at work. It's where business and design meet (my happy place) and provides imagery that will make you delightfully drool.

10. @Issue: The Online Journal of Business & Design

@Issue puts design thinking to work. They finely curate content with a refreshing POV that's part business and part design... really a hybrid of both, which is what make's it magic. Their posts are uplifting and engaging similar to SwissMiss.

11. PSFK Creative Intelligence Portal

I put PSFK last, because it requires a membership. I always try to be frugal and find the free articles, but PSFK shares content worthy of investment. PSFK provides insights on innovation for creatives. Their trend reports are wonderful and will make you think so much more in the future. If you want to be a thought leader on the bleeding edge of innovation, it's a good gift to yourself.

I hope you enjoy my top 11. I use The Old Reader as my RSS Reader (free version) to keep these and a few more in one place to enjoy. I was easily able to import all my subscriptions when Google discontinued its RSS service in 2013. If you have a recommended RSS tool besides The Old Reader, a favorite blog or subscription, or find one of my top 11 useful, please share. It's the sharing of ideas that is oh so powerful and make this world and our work more fun!