Solving Problems By Not Working On Them

I find it helpful to have two or three projects of varying difficulty in process at the same time. It allows for a mental fallback position when you’re having trouble solving problems. If one project has you stumped, you can jump to the next project as a mental palate cleanser — a kind of sorbet for the synapses.

You’ve probably come up with a solution to a problem that was plaguing when you weren’t even thinking about it. It’s because you allowed your brain “unclench” and let a concept pass through your mental walls.

I think when you’re stressed about coming up with a really great idea that your brain holds onto concepts more tightly because it’s worried that it’s the best idea it is capable of and hangs on to it out of sheer fear that it won’t be able to come up with any other ideas. Ever.

Think of your creative brain as a fussy child.

Sometimes you just need to jangle some keys in front of its face in order to distract it for a second. This interrupts the pattern and forces a break in the routine.

Keep a side project (or three) in the background.
Something active, but non-urgent. When you hit a wall on one of your projects, set it aside without stressing out about it and work on something completely different. Consider it taking a break while keep your mental muscles limber.

Within 30-60 minutes little bits of ideas will begin blossoming in your brain for the project you set aside. Like popcorn popping, a single concept will erupt in your mind. Then a minute or two later another idea will spring to mind. Ideas will come more rapidly after one another until you’re forced to set aside your side project and return to you priority project.

See?
You were brilliant and you didn’t even have to try very hard!