Think Better Without Concentration
James Hong posted an interesting entry about thinking better when he's not concentrating. I especially liked the thought experiment he does sometimes with interviewees.
One time I was interviewing a guy for a job position, and he was close to the solution but for some reason couldn't get it. So after 10 minutes of frustratedly watching him almost getting it, I told him to stop and that I wanted to try an experiment. I aksed him to put the paper aside, and i asked him a series of random questions.. "what is your favorite fast food restaurant," "what is your favorite tv show", "what books have you read lately", and then i immediately told him to look at the problem again.. and within 10 seconds, he got it!
James Hong
The entry made me think about my own process. Honestly, sometimes I'm not thinking about the task at hand. I'm learning more and more to focus on the thing my brain wants to focus on (if at all possible), think it through, and get something done with it. It feels like my brain is running the show, but I would rather take advantage of it's "natural proclivity" to be thinking of a certain thing and dig in than try to turn a river.
Also, I get most of my best ideas in the shower.
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