When Does "Thinking" Not Serve You?
Have you ever heard it said that thinking can be dangerous? Thinking can often put us on the wrong track.
You can't figure everything out just by thinking. Why? Because it's too linear, therefore limiting. You miss out on the spaces in between thoughts, where the real gems hide out.
This is true for all human beings, not just artists and scientists. It's true for teachers, for doctors, lawyers, merchants, politicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, gardeners, florists, and everybody else.
Remember how Buckminster Fuller got the idea for the geodesic dome? He had to be completely alone for a period of time in order to go into that space where all the answers are lined up. The solution was there, waiting for his recognition and acceptance. That space was inside of him.
Have you observed how you sometimes stress over an idea, get frustrated, then a month, 6 months, or a year down the line, the solution comes to you in a flash? And it was correct, simple, and just what you were looking for?
Why do you suppose that is? It's because you stopped "thinking" about it. You released the idea. You may have even forgotten about it. You let go. You unstressed, got your ego out of it, and another aspect of yourself took over.
I had an experience yesterday that reminded me not to count too heavily on linear thinking. I was trying to "think" my way through something I'm working on, and it wasn't working out for me. Frankly, all it accomplished was to fill me full of doubt. I was not happy with my results or with myself.
Insights happen. Why do we think insights are less reliable than the act of thinking? You may not think that, but many people do.
Insight is instant and in most cases, more reliable.
Entrepreneurship is closely related to art in approach because it is an art.
All my years as a designer, at the beginning of each collection, I would suffer with purpose tremor until I got so tired, I finally let go. That's when good things happened. Things started to flow out of me, effortlessly and filled with life from a place deep inside me, a place where there was no judgement.
Those are moments of inspiration.
That's the right frequency in which to do your work, whatever your work is. Doesn't matter what your work is.
Is there an easy way to slip into those between thoughts spaces?
Yes, but it takes discipline. I'm working on it right now because I want to call upon all the knowledge buried deep inside myself. And I don't want to suffer to get there. We're not supposed to suffer.
It's buried deep inside of you, as well. Meditate. Daydream. Relax. Transcend the stresses as best you can.
Draw on your own rich inner resources.
Whether you are an affiliate marketer, or an e commerce merchant selling products online, or a web developer, go inside for your answers to everything.
Just sharing today with you.
J
Recent Comments
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For me because my site is about the outdoors my inspiration comes when I am doing the outdoors. You and so many other people here are deep thinkers. I think that is great.
;O)
But my depths come out, while in a car traveling to some fun spot or experience the out doors with others. Then all my deep thinking happens. Or like you say when I am very tired, but to me things I think then are very strange...
Always love to read what you put out there for us Thank you.
God bless
Kymee
It's amazing, Kymee how much you and I are alike when it comes to the outdoors. Sometimes when I find myself stuck, I go for a drive and sit under a tree or beside a stream.
It is in the solitude that the answers I need come...never as a rushing wind...but as a still small voice.
I think Joan summarized well when she wrote, "Meditate. Daydream. Relax."
Blessings,
Rebecca
I also share that with you. Nature is healing and inspirational. I love being at the water, particularly the ocean. It helps me to feel peaceful and still. Recreating with friends is important too. Balancing your life with play is imperative. Workaholics have to remember that. Thanks for your comment, Kymee.
This is a very timely post for me. I am a classic over thinker who needs to be reminded to spend more time relaxing.
I read that Thomas Edison took frequent naps. He often got his greatest inspirations just at the point of awakening.
Thanks for reminding me that the very insight I seek is itself seeking me. it's in the willingness to let go that frees the magic to happen.
Excellent post, Joan!
Rebecca
We all tend to forget because it runs counter to what we have been conditioned to believe. In many ways, we have been put on the wrong path. Glad it served as a reminder. Thanks for commenting Rebecca and acknowledgement.
Like the theme very much. I still perhaps wrongly call these moments the aha ones because the realisation of a solution or way forward is the aha. To take your theme though these aha moments only come when I have slept on a problem or shelved it for some time, often more than a day but sometimes only five minutes. But for sure these are precious and super moments
Hudson
They are aha moments. Trick is to access them more often. Best trick of all is to live in those moments. Thanks for your input Hudson. Hope all is well with you.
Nice, Joan. At the risk of appearing repetitious, I found your words to be insightful and uplifting. I chuckled when I read the geodesic dome example. I learned that trivial piece of information a long time ago, and I've never forgotten it. All on the off-hand chance that somewhere, someday, someone will walk up to me and say, "Bill, for a million dollars, who invented the geodesic dome?" For nearly 30 years now, I've been waiting to scream, "BUCKMINSTER FULLER!" I'll be ready when it happens. :-)
There are so many stories about Buckminster Fuller. Sometimes I wonder what is lore. He talked about having a revelation while walking along Lake Michigan in Chicago, that changed his life. It's a great question for a quiz show. Someone may ask you that for a million dollars. Hope it happens.
Thought we could all use a little right brained point of view. Thanks for commenting Tommy..
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Great post, again Joan. Been out for a few days, with a return full of new insight and dimension. The thinking or the art of imagination to view yourself already there is very powerful too. Thank you.
Yes, create it in your imagination, see it done, and fully accept it. Then go about your business. Thanks for your input Caylynn.