The Power of Not Being Productive
Thursday, 02. 11. 2010 – Category: Ranger Wireless Solutions
If you have ever watched an episode of the television hit House, you know there is a method to the madness of Dr. House. Despite his antics to analyze, dissect and generally torment the minds of his co-workers and patients, he always seems to come away with a solution that no one else sees. Often, the solution hits him at the unlikeliest of times when his mind is far from the case at hand.
In a recent episode of the comedy The Big Bang Theory, the character Sheldon was suffering from a mental block. He tried numerous tactics, including taking a “menial” job as a bus boy (his words, not mine) to help stimulate his problem solving skills just as Einstein had once been a patent clerk. His efforts work, much to the disdain of his friends, who are left to literally clean up after his antics.
For those who study the creative process, the methods for deduction these characters use are nothing new. The idea of immersing yourself in a different environment (mentally and/or physically) to open the pathways to new ideas has long been a staple of the creative process. Whether making associations between differing objectives, stepping back and giving yourself a “brain break,” or reversing your mindset to seeing things from a different perspective, pulling back from a problem can often help you solve it.
So why is it that especially in this economy, when staffing is lean and ideas are desperately needed at any company, our most trusted minds are often left staring at a computer screen for eight or more hours a day? It doesn’t take much to realize that looking at e-mails, spreadsheets and web pages tends to numb the brain. Forget coming up with the next innovative product. After an hour or so, most people start losing quality in their most basic work without time to step back and look at what they are doing. It’s much like driving—if we have to do it long enough, we eventually start zoning out even though our body is keeping up moving forward.
But if we want the creative spark in our staff, how do we balance the need to do the day to day tasks while giving our employees the time to let their minds wander? It doesn’t take wild field trips, flashy wall paint or other expensive toys to make it happen. Start with these simple adjustments to break the monotony and invite fresh ideas.
Encourage Interaction: While we have a romantic view of the inventor working alone in his office, the truth is that truly creative ideas come much more often from a group environment. Therefore, it is vital that the work being done in your company facilitates interaction amongst your staff. While e-mail is easy, encourage your staff to get up and go visit a co-worker. Not only does it put them in a conversational situation, it also gets the blood flowing with that little walk.
Also, don’t trivialize the water cooler or coffee interactions of your staff. It’s easy for management to break up a break room huddle with a glance or comment. However, those conversations often end up less about a specific project and more about strategy or trends. These are the conversations you want to have, so jump in and encourage more thoughts and comments.
Open the Environment: Creativity doesn’t require fancy interior decoration. Still, if the look and feel of your office isolates employees and denies interaction, you will find that those creative juices will not get going. Find simple (and free) ways to open things up and make sure that employees cross paths. Centralize the office supplies; move the copier to an open space. Perhaps a desk or cubicle stanchion needs to be moved. Whatever it is, make the changes and reap the rewards.
Take Breaks: Coffee breaks are a great diversion in the day. Still, some employees don’t take advantage of this time and prefer to get lost behind their desk for hours at a time. Encourage all of your staff to step away from their desks at least once an hour, with at least one of them being outside for some fresh air. It may seem a lot of breaks, but when you add up the typical coffee runs, bathroom trips and a lunch break, you’ll find it’s only a couple more than they are already making. But those few extra stops will keep them from getting lost in a computer screen for two straight hours, and provide just enough time to refresh their thinking.
David Fleming is the Director of Corporate Communications for CornerWorld Corporation, parent company of RANGER Wireless Solutions.
Tags: communication, creativity, David Fleming, employees, innovation, productivity