Big Ideas vs. Distance (My Dilemma)

Posted by Darren on Aug 1, 2010 • (Comments)

Anyone else have this dilemma? What do you do to overcome it?

I always love traveling or working in remote coffee shops because that’s where my mind frees up.

IGA Worldwide was a brain fart of mine when I was walking thru the woods in Saratoga Springs.

Tomzy was ideated when Sherri and I was traveling to a beach location.

I spent a lot of time working on Varick Media Management while working at the Muddy Cup in New Paltz, NY.

Christien Louviere

Yes, I get a ton done in hotel rooms and coffee shops. I also come up with some amazing ideas when I'm in places that my hands aren't really doing anything else or have any visual distractions around me (ie driving, shower, etc).

Rob Sandie

I have definitely experienced this. Coffee shops are tremendous ways to get out of the office.... and of course.. caffeinate the thought process.

Jerry

It might not be the distance, but being in a different place--the "novelty effect." If I can't get any work done, I leave the office and go somewhere new, usually a coffeehouse.

Turning my conscious brain off--daydreaming, focusing on a rote activity like driving, etc.--also seems to make me more creative. Definitely worth spending time daydreaming.

Alex Mather

I take a 30-60 minute walk every single day. By myself. About an hour after lunch. Without a doubt, I do my best thinking then and usually, by the end of the walk, am briskly walking to get back to my desk to take action.

Darren Herman