We solve problems for a living. As a result, we are constantly seeking that elusive creative insight, that “Aha!” moment where the clouds part and the answer becomes perfectly clear. We’ve all experienced it – that magical moment where you see an answer clearly in your mind, often when you least expect it.
I attended a lecture recently by the author Jonah Lehrer who explores how inspiration happens in the brain in his most recent book, Imagine: How Creativity Works.
Lehrer studied neuroscience as an undergraduate, so he approaches the subject from the scientist’s viewpoint. But he also incorporates culture and environment into his analysis of what engenders creativity. If we understand it better, can we train ourselves to be more creative?
It is a fascinating book full of stories of insight on everything from Bob Dylan’s song lyrics to the invention of a new type of mop. He visits 3M, a company with a uniquely long track record of innovation. There he learns how important “not concentrating” is to their researchers. They believe intense focus is not the path to insight. You have to pair that focus with relaxation, downtime, a walk in the woods, or maybe a game of ping pong.
One of the scientific discoveries discussed in the book is that a flurry of alpha waves occurs in the right hemisphere of the brain during moments of insight. Alpha waves are associated with relaxing activities like taking a warm shower. Joydeep Bhattacharya is a psychologist in London whose work Lehrer cites in the book. Bhattacharya says, “That’s why so many insights happen during warm showers. For many people, it’s the most relaxing part of their day.”
So when the answer to that thorny problem seems illusive, maybe it’s time to get away from the office and waste some time so your brain can really get to work.
As founder and Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie has engineered the growth of Advent into one of the world’s leading providers of software and services to the investment management industry.
Interesting article and thanks for heads-up on Lehrer’s book. That “aha” moment was written about by George Wallas in his 1920′s book “The Art of Thought” which discusses the Creative Process in 4 stage framework:
1) Preparation
2) Incubation
3) Illumination
4) Verification
The aha moment is #3 -Illumination. That when the figurative light bulb illuminates. That’s when the idea, elegant solution or even just a key thread for further research “appears” into the conscious mind. -eureka!
#2, or what Wallas called Incubation. It is playing ping pong -or doing something other than work on the problem (sleep, going for a walk, swim, talking a shower in the morning or lounging in an onsen). While we relax or play the subconscious is hard at work.
But -and I think this is critical -a successful outcome in this process hinges on the ground work being done -The Preparation as Wallas calls it. We must be on top of our game. The necessary work must be done. Peers and clients collaborated with. The midnight oil must be burned.
So before we all dash off to the rec’ room to play a few round of monday afternoon ping ping let’s bear in mind we need to make sure we are adequately prepared for that elusive “aha!”.
The last stage is what Wallas calls “Verification”. Once that light bulb goes off, there is still work to be done to verify the idea. This 4 stage model is often an iterative process.