Why are smokers more creative?
We all recognize that we can be busy fools at work, from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. So, when do you take time to think and be creative in this frantic schedule?
Smokers – They stand outside, in the fresh air, in an ad-hoc gathering, talking about whatever is on their mind. It is in these conversations with people you don't necessarily know, conversations around things that are in the air, things you find particularly interesting, or on your mind, and you listen to other people's perspectives on that issue. It is in these settings that creativity comes alive.
There is something about marking time during a week explicitly for dwelling on thoughts, ideas, and futures. Allowing your mind to go where it wants to go, like a conversation as opposed to a meeting—allowing a certain kind of improvisation to take place.
Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates on Netflix. Down to earth, endlessly curious, and no matter the topic discussed, he seems to know something about it. And he's always asking questions. This was the first clue about what makes him an idea man.
The second clue is his 'Think Week.' Twice a year, he takes a week off in a secluded cabin far from Seattle, in the company of some books, notepads, and diet coke, and there is no communication with his family, friends, and colleagues. Steve Jobs took?long solo walks around the apple campus when he was trying to crack a problem.
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So why don't we do more of this ourselves?
Sometimes it feels like we are so busy that we don't have time to think. And when we believe we are thinking, we usually operate at the surface only. This is because modern life comes with so many distractions that it's hard to free up your mind for deep thinking. The antidote to this is to take a leaf from Gate's book and set aside some proper time to think. It doesn't have to be a week. You would be surprised how many brilliant ideas you come up with after just an hour without interruptions.
"Thinking is skilled work. It is not true that we are naturally endowed with the ability to think clearly and logically, without learning how, or without?practicing." -?A.E. Mander
Demystifying Wealth Management | Associate Director - Anand Rathi Wealth Management | Disclaimer: Views are mine and mine only :)
2 年I truly believe that human mind is most fertile when left alone hence we should all have our “me” time and let our creative mind wonder aimlessly for ideas. This article reinforces this belief.
Experienced IT/ITES Leader Driving Digital Transformation for Global Customers | Expert in Energy & Oil/Gas Verticals | Certified Six Sigma & Lean | Harvard Business School Alumnus
2 年Very relevant ??
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2 年Interesting thought process!