Thinking It Done
Resolve to Break the Tyranny of Technology
Several months ago, I listened to a program on National Public Radio about how technology, specifically the internet and e-mail, is impacting our lives. Callers on the program talked about feeling anxious anytime they were out of touch with their e-mail, as well as about the stress of feeling constantly hounded by communications technology – pagers, PDAs, e-mail, voice mail, and so on.
One of the thoughts this program triggered for me is how difficult it is, in this electronic age, to make time for creativity instead of productivity. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of constant productivity – answering e-mail, churning out reports, returning phone calls – and never make time for creative thinking.
One of the reasons it is difficult to make time for creativity in our frenetic working lives is that creativity has a different rhythm and a different thinking pattern than productivity. Creative thinking is slower, while productivity is often a race against the clock. Creativity is not linear, it requires the time and space to wander freely among thoughts and ideas, without being tied to an outcome. Productivity is more linear, focused, and outcome-driven.
To meet my goal of balancing productivity with more creative time, I plan to use these seven tactics:
1-I
will schedule creative time as I would any other appointment.
2-During my creative time, I will close my e-mail program, so that
new-mail chime won’t snap me back to productivity mode.
3-I will resist the urge to “produce” and let my mind wander and
daydream.
4-I will use creative fodder to spark ideas: magazines, books, or
surfing the web.
5-I will have colored markers and blank paper for making mind maps
or doodling to exercise my non-linear thinking muscles.
6-When I have difficulty breaking the productivity rhythm, I’ll take
a walk (if it’s not freezing cold outside).
7-I will set a timer to remind me when it’s time to switch back to
productivity mode, so I won’t have to watch the clock.
Shannon Bradford
is a writer and coach, helping people learn how to master their
brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She is the author
of Brain Power (Wiley, 2002). Learn more at
www.shannonbradford.com.
© 2004 Shannon Bradford
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