Over-thinkers anonymous
Creativity… where do you find inspiration?
Where does innovation come from?
A good friend and adaptive thinker said, “Scott with all your thinking and figuring, doing things to let all your thoughts catch up with each other might be a good idea.” Ahem.
I was brought up supporting the tried and true methods of work, work more, and it still not enough, so work harder. This motto may get you there sometimes, but not likely, and definitely not every time. I’m learning that when I stop thinking about a solution, it happens. The key word being learning.
After carefully reading and digesting all the available materials, I’m learning to take a walks, spend time with my family, and find a way to relax. My brain then has a chance to catch up with all the information I’ve taken in throughout the day and can really wrap itself around the content. I can then think holistically about the projects versus only on how I’m going to make this promotion different than all other mailers I’ve worked on in the past.
If you’re thinking conceptually and allow yourself to “drift”, you can figure out the logistics later. Often you’ll also come up with an alternative production technique that will actually separate this promotion from all the others too. When you allow yourself to be in the consumer’s point of view it can produce very results-oriented work.
Have access to pen and paper to write ideas or sketch them out when they hit you. Then revisit, explore and refine. When inspiration strikes, you’ll feel it in your bones. It’s quite a rush and you’ll fill pages quickly so keep going as long as you can in one sitting.
So go on and relax and do something for yourself or your family and right when you least expect it– BAM! You actually stop thinking of a solution because you’ll just have it. Flood gates will open, barriers will cease to exist, and the creativity will flow.
I’m still learning myself…
artwork: Penelope Dullaghan
