Need a Solution? Stop Thinking

I’m so creative when I run.

The road, the warm air, the setting sun. The way I like. One of my favorite rituals. I unplug.

I stop thinking about of the craziness of the day. The emails, phone calls, meetings, goals, and chasing goals. When I run all those things go away. I’m at peace.

I stop thinking, I focus on my breath, my heart rate, the blood pumping in my body. I feel the music; chill, rock, techno, classical, zen; depending on my mood. The first sweat drops from my forehead. My lungs open up. I’m in the zone.

I’m running. Then I slow down, almost stop. A great idea pops into my head. I have to write it down on my iphone. I continue running. A few minutes later, repeat. I write it down; a new idea for my blog, a new story.

I’m not thinking. I’m completely present, mind clear. What follows are incredible insights and ideas. They just flow to me easily, effortlessly.

I love it. I also, occasionally and jokingly hate it. I just want to run; keep up my good pace. I laugh about it. But truth is, I love accessing the creativity much more.

Message:

Trying to come up with an idea or solve a problem? Answer: Stop thinking!

It will come to you. If try or reach too hard, you’ll just keep reaching. Be still and look within. All the answers are right there.

Performance expert Josh Waitzkin said, “Our creative process should not be dominated by external noise, but be driven by internal music.”

This is what I feel when I run; internal music.

External noise is outside distractions, or our over thinking, and over analyzing.

Internal music is presence, no thinking, and peace. Here’s where the magic happens.

Josh continues, stating the best time to be creative is after a workout, or after meditation. This is when our minds are most clear, most present. We can harness creative energy most effectively at this moment. Utilize that moment. We shouldn’t be checking emails during this time.

Also, in his masterpiece, Man’s Search for Meaning, Dr Victkor Frankel talks about this topic. He refers to it as performance anxiety.

A couple of examples Frankl uses involve, “the bedroom.”

Example 1: Yes I mean “in the bedroom” – Sometimes men try too much to perform. Sometimes woman try too hard to have an orgasm. Too much trying, leads to ineffectiveness. When men and woman stop trying, well then, the party has started, for lack of a better cliché.

Example 2: This example isn’t as exciting, when referring to the “bedroom.” It’s about sleep. Frankl gives counter-intuitive advice to people who cannot sleep. He advises them to stay awake. Yep, that’s right. Can’t sleep? Stay awake, stop trying to fall asleep. Guess what? You find yourself sleeping much easier.

You want something to happen in your life? You want to create something?

Stop thinking. Stop thinking about the solution. Go for a walk instead, or a work out.

Stop trying to come up with the answer. Avoid the “external noise” by observing it and laughing at it.

Stop trying so hard.

Focus on your “internal music” instead.

Take a step back and breathe. Remain present. From here, creativity will blossom. Ideas will flourish. And the solution will come to you.

What do you think about that? ….Trick question 😉

Joseph Metcalfe