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The Power of Shower Thoughts

alexanderell.is

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Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#51

Post by bradleyjg »

maverick2007 wrote: post #48
j7ake wrote: post #47

I wonder if anybody have studies of whether the constant audio of music and audiobooks are a detriment to allowing the background processes to work in the mind?

That's an interesting question that I'd also love to know the answer to. I'm also curious whether there's a difference between music and podcasts/audiobooks since the latter seem to require a lot more focus than the former which might further inhibit background processing?

Even within music we might expect differences between instrumental, nonsense lyrics, and narrative songs.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#55

Post by pmontra »

One of the advantages of the pomodoro method is that those 5 minute breaks allow me to stop thinking hard at the problem I'm working on. "Do I really need to solve that, in that way, or is the solution in that other direction?" That realization would come anyway but with a break every 25 minutes it comes much earlier and with less wasted time.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#56

Post by eloff »

sorokod wrote: post #42
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…

It is possible that the five minute "shower insight" would not have happened without the three long days of coding. The way I see it, finding a shortcut in a mental landscape requires that landscape to be setup in some sufficient detail.

I absolutely agree, without the three days coding, I wouldn't have had the possible space sufficiently in mind to see the simpler solution.

This is also the advantage of iterative development. Build a prototype, if you see a better solution, rewrite it. Rinse and repeat if time permits.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#57

Post by Tade0 »

psv1 wrote: post #27
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.

I can't confirm that, since as of late I've been getting great results with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DydIK14AvXI

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#58

Post by TeMPOraL »

proverbialbunny wrote: post #50
psv1 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Actually, audio and especially music can make it easier to go into a diffuse state. The trick is to make sure it's music without lyrics, or the volume is low enough you're not listening to the content of the talking.

Or, it's a song you've listened to a hundred times already and know the lyrics and the tempo by heart. At least, it works for me.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#59

Post by chiefalchemist »

Two things to share.

1) The book Your Brain at Work by David Rock does a great job explaining the brain and how to tilt it in your favor, more often.

2) I have solved more problems and had more great ideas 3+ miles into a run than any place else. There's something to be said for thinking less and not forcing the brain into a corner.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#60

Post by TeMPOraL »

kylek wrote: post #53
mezzode wrote: post #52

My problem with shower thoughts is often I have too many and it's a struggle to hold on to them all until the end of the shower so I can actually write them down

Start bringing a whiteboard marker with you

Or a waterproof notebook (with an attached waterproof pencil). They worked really well for me; I sketched a few public talks in the shower this way.
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