You're not thinking about a project and yet it is on your mind. How can that be?
Attention is more of a light dimmer than a light switch. There is an area between full light and complete darkness. That blend of partial thought and partial indifference may be where creativity begins to grow.
This is my favorite part of the problem solving process - the rattle around part. You stuff your head full of the problem until you are familiar with all the important aspects of it, then forget the whole thing and think about something else while it rattles around in the back of your brain. Far more often than not, the next time you consider the problem with your full attention you will realize you know the answer.
ReplyDeleteI got the trick from reading about how Isaac Asimov wrote his way out of writers block. He said he'd always go see an mindless action movie, and when he was done he knew exactly how he was going to write his way out of the corner he'd painted himself into. It works for more left brain professions such as mine as well.
Dan nailed it. A lot happens when the brain is working behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Dan nailed it.
ReplyDeleteMichael