28 May 2010, Posted by Cris Buckley in Strategy, 3 Comments. Tagged creativity, Strategy
4 Ways to Move Ahead by Goofing Off
Photo by Tony the Misfit
We’ve all learned that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But is it? Well, here are four ways I’ve found to move ahead by goofing off!
- Daydream. Remember getting in trouble for this in school? (Or maybe your job?
) Well, a newer study from the University of British Columbia shows that the part of your brain involved in “high-level, complex problem-solving” lights up when your mind wanders off! So indulge! Daydream! - Follow rabbit trails and see where they go. Follow your curiosity. This seems counterintuitive. Aren’t we supposed to focus, and reign in those distractions? There’s a time for both, I’m sure. But if you never follow your curiosity—those rabbit trails that beckon you down the side roads—there are connections and discoveries that you’ll never make.
(Think Billy in the Family Circus cartoon.)Israeli scientist Ada Yonath let her curiosity lead her for her entire life…and…? She won a Nobel Prize last year and attributes it to following her curiosity—those rabbit trails!
- Make recreation a priority. Take time off (completely off—like disconnected!) for enjoyment and relaxation. Schedule it into your week and make it sacred! This is where you get refueled, so you’re not running on fumes! Remember: recreation=re-create!
(Aside: When I violate this one, my work and everyone around me suffers. I’ve become emotionally and physically bankrupt and ready to tear down or throw away everything I’ve worked so hard to build. I used to treat recreation like dessert—I could have it if I’d finished everything else first. Now Saturday has become my day of pleasure and relaxation—and it’s written in cement!) - Take a break. Get up and walk around, get a drink of water. Do something different. Sometimes I’ll play a quick game of Eight Off Solitaire (I win! I always win!).
From The Power of Full Engagement —one of the keys to enduring high performance is “balancing energy expenditure with intermittent energy renewal”—breaks!
“This study shows our brains are very active when we daydream—much more active than when we focus on routine tasks.” ~Kalina Christoff, U of BC
What other ideas do you have for goofing off and moving ahead?
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3 Comments
June 22, 2010 3:34 pm
Your Ideas Are A Gift–Let Them Live! | No-Clone Zone
[...] act on your idea by following your natural curiosity. Follow the rabbit trails that your idea [...]
June 28, 2010 4:48 pm
Bear Files @evolutionfiles
Chris thanks for this excellent advice. You have an amazing way of clarifying the thoughts I feel like are buried right at the edge of my consciousness. As a creative person your tips really resonate with me, and seem like a great long-term plan for success. I follow most of these tips and feel that following my passions and scheduling occasional time off are key to staying creative and avoiding burnout. And I think these would work well for all types of personalities.
June 30 2010 20:07 pm
Cris Buckley
Bear, thank you for taking the time to let me know that my posts have connected with you, and specifically how! That means a lot! I'm so glad my post was able to help clarify the thoughts "buried right at the edge of my consciousness." That's such a great description! :) I know just what you mean!
I appreciate your feedback from the perspective of advancing creativity--something that also resonates with me!
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