What do you do, when you need to come up with some fresh, inspired ideas?
One of the things I do, is to take a break and have a dedicated 2 day thinking trip. Today, I’m heading off for this year’s thinking trip – to the stunningly beautiful North Yorkshire Moors.
How my thinking trips work
Between now and Sunday, I will be spending time away from the people I love, to focus exclusively on new ideas. I never pressure myself to come up with anything, but the change in environment works amazingly well, and the ideas always flow. I tend to spend the days writing in the countryside and the evenings writing at the beach. I make sure that I always have quick access to something that I can use to record my thoughts, as my best ideas usually come when I am mobile. As I mention in this post, I always carry an audio recorder with me; but on these trips, an audio recorder is invaluable to me.
Once I have enough ideas recorded, I write the best ones down. Initially, I get these ideas fleshed out using a fountain pen and a pad. I discovered years ago that this helps my thinking, maybe because it slows the process down and allows me to think a little deeper, than when I speedily type ideas using a computer. Then, on the last day, I type up all the best ideas and they are ready to get working on, when I get back home.
I’m wondering if anyone else uses a change of environment, to stimulate their thinking process? What works best for you?
This is something I also find very valuable. It started when I was staying away at hotels. I found I could get so much done when I was away from all the day to day distractions. I now have protected time most days from 8 am to midday, when I can get on without any interruptions. No email. No phone calls. No interruptions. It pushed up my productivity massively – and it was needed as I am committed to writing the equivalent of four x 250 page books a year for participants in my program.
I have actually been working towards a greater objective for the past 14 years. That of having everything I could possibly need on my laptop, so that I can take myself away for a couple of months on end. That way if I want to spend a couple of months in a rented house on the shores of Lake Geneva, or in a ski resort, or wherever, then I can.
Refocused my business model entirely in the past couple of years to move away from very expensive city centre premises filled with lots of staff on the payroll to one that will allow me to work from any place in the world I choose, as long as I have broadband access.
Best
Robert
Robert Clay´s last blog ..From temp to business owner … my tribute to an amazing lady
I hope You a very nice trip and looking forward to read what you get on paper..
Norman Flecha
STRAIGHTALK
STRAIGHTALK´s last blog ..How to Create a New Facebook Tab in 3 Easy Steps
Wonderful idea, Jim, and I think it’s great that you’re giving yourself permission to do this.
When I need to “refresh”, I also enjoy travelling. I don’t actively take work with me. Instead,I leave my Mac at home and actively focus on other things. Catching up on my reading, connecting with other people, or even just people watching. Without trying, these things fire my imagination and rekindle my enthusiasm for my work. Everywhere I go, however, I do carry a notebook of some sort, and coloured fountain pens to capture my musings so that I have them when I come home.
Have a lovely couple of days.
Christine Livingston´s last blog ..Want To Learn Faster Stand Next To The Master
Brilliant. A change of scenery can make all the difference in the world. When I need to clear my mental cobwebs but can’t take a trip, I take a notebook and pen to my favorite coffeehouse for the day. It’s a small change of pace, but even so, it clears my head and lets my brain start moving again.
Enjoy!
Kathleen Jaffe´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
When I feel the creative edge is not as sharp as it can be, I head to at least an overnight to the ocean. There has never been a time that I have gone there that I haven’t had at least one terrific idea/article pop into mind. Interestingly, most of them end up using animals to prove my point.
http://www.kathycondons.blogspot.com
Kathy Condon´s last blog ..