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The Power of Shower Thoughts

alexanderell.is

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Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#21

Post by mamon »

1_player wrote: post #7
mentos wrote: post #5

I'd love to hear from John Carmack on this, it would be interesting to hear that he rarely has these 'shower' moments because he is always operating with great perspective.

I would expect the opposite instead. I don't know him personally and this is conjecture based on what I've read about him, but his being totally immersed in a particular subject, to the extent of going to a thinking retreat in a cabin, is the best way to reach those Eureka moments. I've written in the past about this, let me copy an old comment of mine: "Let me share a tip that might work for you as well then: some t…

>> you need other types of unrelated input for your brain to make a different type of association

Or maybe it's even simpler: conscious mind stuck on hard problem starts to work as broken record - you are repeating the same thoughts, reconsidering the same wrong solutions all over again. Focusing on something unrelated frees your uncounciousness to try something else.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#22

Post by simlevesque »

kstenerud wrote: post #16

It just has to be some repetitive physical activity that doesn't require intense thought or mental focus. This can be chopping wood, taking a shower, walking, hiking, running, riding a bike, taking the dog for a walk, doing the dishes, etc. The key is: 1. No particular mental focus 2. Some kind of physical movement Your mind eventually starts to spin on autopilot, which is when it is able to mix things it can't while…

I throw my yoyo. Once you are good, your mind will wander.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#23

Post by dbcurtis »

eloff wrote: post #2

Somehow when I take a break to do something mindless, showering being especially high on the list, I often am able to step back from the problem and get some perspective. Yesterday I realized I was making the solution to complex by separating concerns and could combine them and greatly simplify the task. Five minutes in the shower yielded more forward progress than three long days of coding. It doesn't always help, b…

In fact that is well known to be a great way to find creative solutions to very difficult problems. Step 1: Work intensely for a long time (days or more) looking for a solution. Step 2) Relax and do something to let the mind wander.

If you look at all the “it just came to me” stories, they are talking about step 2 while glossing over the sweat and tears that went into step one.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#25

Post by iruby »

milancurcic wrote: post #14

Some of my best ideas and realizations in science research and business I got while exercising, sleeping, or in the shower.

Same here. Throughout the years, I realized that a warm shower is priceless for making better plans, generating new ideas and solving difficult problems

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#27

Post by psv1 »

kstenerud wrote: post #16

It just has to be some repetitive physical activity that doesn't require intense thought or mental focus. This can be chopping wood, taking a shower, walking, hiking, running, riding a bike, taking the dog for a walk, doing the dishes, etc. The key is: 1. No particular mental focus 2. Some kind of physical movement Your mind eventually starts to spin on autopilot, which is when it is able to mix things it can't while…

To add to your point 1 - no particular mental focus also requires no audio input. It's so easy to fall into the habit of constantly having a podcast or an audiobook on.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#28

Post by shantly »

Ididntdothis wrote: post #4
eloff wrote: post #2

Somehow when I take a break to do something mindless, showering being especially high on the list, I often am able to step back from the problem and get some perspective. Yesterday I realized I was making the solution to complex by separating concerns and could combine them and greatly simplify the task. Five minutes in the shower yielded more forward progress than three long days of coding. It doesn't always help, b…

When I work from home I often take a break to do laundry or do the dishes. It often helps me to get clarity on issues I have been working on.

Being able to replace "staring at the wall and thinking" with "putting the dishes away and thinking" or "chopping veggies and thinking" or similar is one of the biggest benefits of working from home, IMO.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#29

Post by usefulcat »

I've experienced this many times. I've been walking to and from work most days for the past several years, about 30 minutes each way. In the morning I listen to a podcast, but in the afternoon I just walk and let my mind wander. By the end of the day I'm usually too tired to continue in the focused mode of thinking, but sometimes I'm still able to discover some new insight while walking in the unfocused mode.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#30

Post by retrac »

kstenerud wrote: post #16

It just has to be some repetitive physical activity that doesn't require intense thought or mental focus. This can be chopping wood, taking a shower, walking, hiking, running, riding a bike, taking the dog for a walk, doing the dishes, etc. The key is: 1. No particular mental focus 2. Some kind of physical movement Your mind eventually starts to spin on autopilot, which is when it is able to mix things it can't while…

> Some kind of physical movement

Much of our thought is based on metaphor of body movement.

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