Do you ever feel like things are just going too fast? Why is that? I won’t bore you with the details but there’s reams written on how technology affects people. The bottom line is:
We invent machines and then instead of letting the machines do the work, we let the machines work us.
As digital technology increases speed we attempt to keep up, always on and always processing. Many people feel guilty if they’re not constantly going. The machines are running us!
Somehow we’ve confused Velocity and Volume with Value. Only computers can run at hyper-speed 24/7, humans cannot. However, what humans can do is create, inspire and innovate. This distinctly human power creates lasting success and satisfaction. BUT to use this power, we need to stop acting like computers.
Recent brain research has proven that the brain work of insight, creativity and innovation is opposite of the brain work of processing daily mental tasks. When the brain is constantly processing tasks it’s forced into being a calculator and cannot effectively do the work of insight and innovation. We have to switch-off the constant processing in order to switch modes.
Amazingly, when the brain seems to be “doing-nothing” it’s actually doing a lot of unconscious work. This unconscious work generates creativity and innovation. That’s why so many people receive sudden revelations, an “Ah-Ha”, when they aren’t actually “thinking”.
So what does this mean for you and me? We get more innovative, creative and frankly smarter when we take time to STOP and UNPLUG!
Tip of the Day:
Take time to rest your brain from all processing (TV, texting, email, web-surfing and even reading). Find your favorite summer spot, beach, lake, mountain or vista. Unchain your mind from the slavery of the daily grind. Let it go!
It will come back to you much restored and much more creative, insightful and innovative!
Resource of the Day:
Much brain research is happening across the country. One team is located at Northwestern University. Follow this link to read orginal scientific studies: Cognitive Neuroscience at Northwestern University
