I can’t wait to share this nugget of knowledge based on my notes from Optimizing Brain Fitness by The Great Courses!
Do you have any challenges to which you would like to find solutions? A little creativity can take you a long way.
Here’s what happens in the brain when coming up with a creative solution to a problem:
- There is increased involvement in the right hemisphere temporal lobe.
- Then there is an increase in the use of the frontal lobes (divergent thinking and co-activation of widespread circuits).
- Change in neurotransmitter system
The first two points are fairly easy to grasp, at least in a general way. Ok, there are increased functions in certain parts of the brain. Makes sense! But what about the third point – “Change in neurotransmitter system?” It sounds like something you would hear Han Solo shout out as the Millennium Falcon blasts through the universe! Well, actually, it’s actually simpler than that.
An example of a change in the neurotransmitter system in our brains is what’s considered a POWER-DOWN STATE, aka rest, relaxation, or sleep, especially dream sleep: it is mind-wandering, or daydreaming. Creative ideas emerge from this power-down state. Mind-wandering is an escape from boredom. Mind wanderers also score high on creativity.
Here’s the trick to using daydreaming, or mind-wandering, in a productive way. Let your mind putter around a bit, but don’t overdo it. It’s best in small doses. You need to let your mind wander, but also be aware of it so you can catch the creative idea.
Personal confession–there have been times when I have noticed one of my children sprawled out on the couch, appearing to be gazing around the room without any purpose. My initial internal alarm shouts, “AH! Wasting time!” If there is one thing that gets me is wasting precious time, but I’m often WRONG! After taking a moment to regain my composure from my secret moment of panic, I calmly ask, “How’s it going? It seems like you aren’t sure what to do.”
The response nearly knocks me over and certainly shuts me up! My “lazy, time waster” bounces back with wide eyes and says, “My mind is EXPLODING with ideas!”
“OH! That’s GREAT!” I reply, and quickly go back to my kitchen duties, removing myself from the judging seat.
I’ve been put in my place enough times to know that I can’t judge a book by its cover, or a kid by his lackadaisical appearance. What I now encourage my kids to do, however, is “catch the creative idea.” We are a notebook family, and each child has a number of them for catching their creative ideas.
So there you have it- a brief look at the technical process of how the brain works with creative ideas, and a practical application for your children (and for you!). You also might want to start at the beginning of this series on the brain.
I always love to hear from you, so take a moment to let me know if this nugget of knowledge is helpful to you… if you have a moment between catching your own creative ideas. 😉
Thanks a bunch! Now go catch those ideas!