Should We NOT Get Our Ducks In a Row?
What are the benefits of stray ducks...and "puttering?"
So often we are told to "get our ducks in a row."
But Neuroscience research shows we might be better off letting them go a bit!
What if, instead of being worried about nice, neat rows of ducks, we allowed circles?
What if, even more scandalous, we allowed them to wander around and roam?
Let them Quack?
Let them Play?
And why would we do this, when we have so much to get done, to achieve, and really think we need our ducks in a row?
Reason #1 - A Relaxed Mind is a Creative Mind.
According to Neuroscience, it may actually be more constructive to be relaxed than all tensed up with so-called “productivity.”
That could be aided by un-structured but protected “scheduled downtime,” in which no specific tasks MUST be accomplished, but anything that one feels keen to do COULD be done.
Relaxation, which yields production of the neurotransmitter Dopamine, allows us to become more insightful and more capable of forming connections between ideas.
In addition, when we enter the “alpha brain wave,” a deeply relaxed state (also achieved with Hypnosis), associations can more easily be formed between brain hemispheres, helping new ideas and projects and solutions to come together.
And just to add to that mix, “stress,” most notorious for manufacturing cortisol is actually a creativity killer. It makes our brains dull and fatigued rather than sharp and alert. In fact, research indicates that the only real “work” getting done under duress is the “busy work” kind – ticking off tasks.
In order to conjure exciting, innovative, cutting-edge ideas, relaxation and ease is chemically essential.
Reason #2 - Creative Downtime Fosters New Ideas.
When those ducks (or rather, our own minds) are “wandering,” and there is no particular focus, the brain itself is actually very active.
It’s noteworthy that recalling past experiences and imagining or visualizing potential future experiences activate similar regions in the brain, suggesting that the pathways for Visualization and Memory may be linked.
And that brain at rest, (or ducks wandering) engages the hippocampus and the default network of corticol regions, connecting multiple regions in memory and imagination functions.
So having time to “putter around” or “putz,” achieving nothing in particular, but rather allowing the mind to wander, allowing the ducks to stray off, or maybe working on a creative project, could actually HELP with the achievement of other goals.
Reason #3 - Achieve More By Temporarily Achieving Nothing.
That philandering brain — those wandering ducks out of line — is actually solving problems for us in the background, when we aren’t even aware.
So many creators throughout history have noted the peculiar tendency to come up with the most brilliant ideas when doing something like bathing, walking, or meditating.
I can surely attest that most of my genius sales copy stemmed from listening to a Hypnosis Audio, taking a swim, or having a massage.
Some of the most creative aspects of our Marketing process involve crafting Content, writing engaging Copy, and bringing forth new programs and services.
The mind at rest is more skillful at connecting ideas and concepts together, thus making one more capable of coming up with that slam-dunk Copy with the opening line about a popular show, or working in some recent client challenges into a blog that will excite one’s audience.
It’s becoming clearer that taking the time to rest, rejuvenate, meditate, and have downtime is not only enjoyable for one’s mental and physical well-being, but actually pretty F-ing productive as well.
So… Let those Quackers out of their neat little row now and then!!
What Did You Take Away From This?
What is ONE thing you can do in the next week to incorporate this into your Marketing or Content work?
Get creative with it!
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