Innovation is the space between work and play

When you are struggling to find a solution to a problem, the more you sit and chew the end of your pencil, willing your brain to come up with the answer, the less likely you are to find one answer, let alone the dozen or so that you need.

Innovation, creativity and inspiration rarely comes when you brain is filled with the day-to-day detrius of working and living. And those rare moment we allow ourselves to "play" you can guarantee the answers will still elude you - because your mind knows you are "pretending" to relax.

A good case in point - I walked "the bridges" yesterday morning. (Pics are at the gallery if you want to see).

I needed some brain down time. My Mp3 player needed charging so I didn't have the abstract noise to allow me to tune out of the blah, blah of the other walkers and bike nasties that littered the pavement. Dodging speeding bikes, avoiding the dogs is hardly conducive to a relaxing walk...so I upped the pace and used is as pure cardio instead.

It was only after the endorphin rush kicked in, after my brain decided that "it" was sufficiently calm did it consent to offer up some thoughts on projects that I've got on the go.

Mental clutter is rife, when was the last time you gave yourself space to think? sat and relaxed under a tree or watched the waves crash on a deserted beach. Living so close to the Indian Ocean I was able to do both yesterday. The first time in a very long time I've not turned on my computer, or wrote in my notebook. But the sounds, the smells, the images were imprinting themselves on my non-conscious thought processes. Which is when this came to me - of course, if we fill our daily existence with "Stuff" how are we supposed to find that creative spark that comes with living a rich life?

So my challenge for you this week is this - in your schedule I would like you to find time to work, play - but the final key is to truly relax. And yes i know it may seem like an impossibility - I've got two teenage children, work full time, write this in my "spare" time and do a million other things, so I do understand how hard it can be. And this week I shall be practising what I preach. So the computer is going off as soon as I've sent you this message. Speak soon.

Elle

Let your fellow readers know how you "relax" - start the discussion here.

Comments

[James]

Ok so i am a virgin poster.... but this topic struck a nerve with me. I have a growing business with HUGE potential, and i could easilly fall into the trap of trying to unleash its potential.

But..... I also have 2 kids that need some time from their dad. I live in a seperated existence from their mum so the time i make for my kids is extra important.

So I do...and i admit it is hard some time!... Take the kids bike riding or do a proposal that might earn me $X 000 ???? hard choice huh?

But when my boys come and say to me "Dad, that bike ride was sick!" or " Dad you ride like a girl"..... i guess it sort of justifies my choice?

i'm a DDOMM junkie, i read most of L's posts several times.... some i agree with and some i dont... but this one was important enough for me to comment.

We all have lists and priorities... someone can write or say something that can make you reassess your list or priority.

Thanks L for making me realise that I am making some right choices.

James

[jennie]

Hi, i'm also a regular reader of the daily dose - and i have to agree, that sometimes Elle (L?) gets it bang on, and other times she is way off the bat...but maybe that's just where I am on my onw personal learning curve. Anyway just wanted to say that this is one of the best free resources for motivation - value on a daily basis.

Oh - and i do agree that sometimes it can be hard to switch off especially after a hard day - and yes i know we all have our own versions of what makes a "hard day", I've also notivced that some days I can relax by walking, other times by listening to something, but the best thing i've found is humour. It's hard to think when you're laughiing. Cheers jen