Have you ever got a great idea or solution to a problem during a seemingly disconnected activity of that issue? In the middle of play, or while doing your daily routine, brushing you teeth, taking a shower. If you take public transportation or drive to work, you may have some idle time during your commute. This can be a good opportunity to let your mind wander and think about creative ideas.
The one thing to increase your creativity is “Idle Time”. Idle time refers to periods of time when a person is not actively engaged in a task or activity. It is often seen as “wasted time” because the person is not being productive in the traditional sense. However, idle time can actually be an important factor in promoting creativity and problem-solving.
During idle time, the mind is able to wander and make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. This process, known as “incubation,” is essential for the generation of new ideas and creative problem-solving. When we are constantly busy and actively engaged in tasks, there is little opportunity for incubation to occur.
In addition to promoting creativity, idle time can also have a number of other benefits. It can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being, as it allows us to take a break from the demands of daily life. It can also help with memory consolidation, as the mind is able to process and consolidate new information during periods of rest.
Here are four ways to capture your ideas:
Use writing as your fuel-your ideas arsenal – use simple language, free writing, sketches, notes and doodles. It’s easy to feel confident when you’re alone with your thoughts. When you have to turn those nebulous ideas into words, however, you can start doubting yourself. Your momentum stalls and what was once an exciting idea fizzles out on the page.
Author Seth Godin blames our ‘lizard brain,’ or amygdala, for this resistance. In his book, “Linchpin,” Seth writes, “The lizard brain is the reason you’re afraid, the reason you don’t do all the art you can, the reason you don’t ship when you can.” It’s the voice in your head that questions your decisions, pushing you to play it safe. However, you can train yourself to fight against this doubt with freewriting.
Freewriting not only helps you express an idea, it also allows you to build your confidence. By regularly freewriting, you’ll become more comfortable describing your thoughts. Then, when you do stumble upon a great idea, you’ll be faster and more confident capturing it in the moment.
Dictate your ideas, wherever you are – even under the shower and note pad
You articulate ideas differently when you have to write them down. Think about how you sound when you’re writing versus talking out loud; you’re bound to use a separate vocabulary and your tone can differ. You may also find it harder to communicate your thoughts when writing, even with effective strategies like freewriting.
If you’re feeling stuck capturing your creative ideas with a pen or keyboard, record yourself explaining them out loud. Let’s say you’re brainstorming new ways to run your annual user conference at work. How would you summarize it in one sentence? Pretend you’re describing your ideas to your best friend. What else would she want to know? What questions would she have?
Draw a mind map for your ideas
For fully-baked ideas, the goal is to record as many details as possible so you can immediately act. With smaller, growing ideas, it’s impossible to focus on the specifics. Instead, capture that small spark—a single word or image—with the goal of jump-starting new streams of inspiration.
Mind mapping is the perfect way to capture these sparks. Rather than describing your idea in sentences, simply write a word in the center of a sheet. Then add related words or thoughts around that central topic, connecting each of them to the center with a line. Repeat the same process for subtopics, continually adding layers around your main idea. The end result is like a tree, with all related thoughts and topics acting as branches.
Create a space for collaborative ideas
Writing, dictation, and mind maps are powerful ways to capture your own ideas; you can work at your own pace and create whatever output makes sense for you. However, not all ideas flow through one person. When you’re working with a team, you have to account for different ways people come up with ideas, process them, and articulate them.
Creating a shared space can offer the right level of flexibility for everyone. Think of it like a digital melting pot, where each person is free to use whatever medium best represents their ideas: words, images, videos, or even existing content like news articles or blogs.
Tags Creativity, ideas, idle time, day dreaming, solutions, divergent thinking
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