One Apple A Day #752 - the doing nothing time
I read somewhere - sorry, I can' find the source at this moment - that only 16% of intelligent and creative ideas come to us while we're at work.
Looking back, I think I had my best ideas while I was doing something else than working. Walking, cycling, taking a shower, having a conversation, reading a novel, watching a movie.
I believe ideas are out there. We just need to pay attention enough so we can see them.
To do so, we must expand our senses. We must reach the boundaries of our peripheral vision so we can see what hides in the liminal space; between our limited knowledge and the unlimited wisdom of the universe unknown to us.
I grew up with the idea that the effectiveness of work is measured by my productivity. So, when I work, my attention is narrowed on what I'm doing to avoid any distractions that could compromise my productivity.
Plus, sometimes the agenda takes over, so I work in a rush with a continuous feeling of being late.
What I've realised over the years, is that this approach dries out my creative wellspring.
I know that I'm falling trap of this productivity trap when I begin to have the same ideas over and over.
When that happens, I now know that it's time to unplug and do anything but work. To me, that means doing something for the pure pleasure of doing it, without expecting any outcome.
Like walking, cycling, having a conversation, reading a novel, watching a movie.