Comments on: How to let your mind to wander — a writing secret

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Sun, 28 May 2017 15:57:00 +0000

In reply to William Stoner. Thanks for the book suggestion, William. I'll go look it up. Sounds very interesting.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Sun, 28 May 2017 15:56:00 +0000

In reply to Brittany Hoover. Yes, the diffuse mode of thinking is very useful to writers.

By: William Stoner

William Stoner — Sun, 28 May 2017 15:28:00 +0000

Problem solutions and fresh insights to seem to arrive at odd moments when we find ourselves bored in class, or go on “autopilot” while running, hiking or taking a shower. To engage the subconscious, it first seems necessary to make a serious, conscious effort to be productive. Jacques Hadamard wrote a slim book about this phenomenon, “The Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field,” (Princeton University Press, 1945). Don’t stare at a blank sheet of paper too long. Go outside and work up a sweat. Engaging in an aggressive sport can help put you in the frame of mind that brings you to a solution you won’t find while sitting passively at a desk.

By: Brittany Hoover

Brittany Hoover — Sun, 28 May 2017 11:01:00 +0000

My brain is always trying to entertain itself with daydreaming. This makes me feel like there is some balance where too much wandering is unhealthy – you need something interesting to you to reflect on and sort through in the back of your mind. That said, I took a Coursera class called Learning how to Learn where they stressed the importance of diffuse mode of thinking to allow your brain to play with ideas you’ve been focusing on and make unusual connections.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:05:00 +0000

In reply to Philip. I'm so glad I didn't get into trouble for it at school. It's a really useful technique. As for getting hit by a bus, I think the people who are texting are far more likely to have that problem! As you put it, as long as the "ordered" part of our brain is paying attention, we are likely to be safe.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:03:00 +0000

In reply to Julie. Yes, I used to listen to podcasts while walking but now I try to let my mind wander more and, as you put it, enjoy the outdoors.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:02:00 +0000

In reply to Subhash K. Yes, we not only need free time to "digest" what we've learned, but we also need SLEEP! It's not worth shortchanging your sleeping time in order to write.

By: Subhash K

Subhash K — Wed, 24 May 2017 07:06:00 +0000

I can’t thank you enough for this post Daphne! This came just when I’m beginning to think that I should jam pack my schedule with lots of learning to be more productive. This post is a second revelation(first was from a MOOC called mindshift) which says you need some free time to digest things you have learned.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 23 May 2017 21:08:00 +0000

I use day dreaming to help me go to sleep. It helps distract my mind from all the happenings and to-do lists of life. Sort of a fantasy meditation. I used to listen to music when I walked but I quit so I could let my mind wander…and enjoy the outdoors.

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:54:00 +0000

I’m a big daydreamer, and I got into trouble for it all the time at school. I always find my best ideas while on long walks with no particular destination in mind. I’m certain to have a wad of paper and a pen in my pocket to jot down those ideas. From time to time I’ve used the “record memo” function on my cellphone, but I find putting pen to paper more enjoyable, and there seems to be a stronger connection to that daydreaming side of the brain. Sometimes I’m so lost in the clouds while crossing streets, that I’m surprised I make it home without running face first into a bus. But then I guess another, more ordered part of my brain is watching out for red lights and traffic.