A “think” around the block
When I need to brainstorm, have to switch projects from one client to another, cease being productive… whatever, I stop working for a minute to hit what we call the Hill of Death in our neighborhood: a steep street that always gets my heart pumping.
My friend Erin and I frequently do it together, doing three or so passes around the block. We pass right by friend Pete’s house, and I joke that I’m a stalker.
Walking around the block and getting my blood pumping for a few minutes really helps me come back and focus. I just read about a study by David Blanchette from Rhode Island College who did a study that shows a little exercise helps creativity. Before working on a creative task, one group did no exercise. A second group did 30 minutes right before, and the third group did 30 minutes first then did the task 2 hours later.
The groups that exercised a few minutes did significantly better than the group that did nothing, Blanchette found.
Thus, even though sometimes I feel stressed that I don’t have enough hours in the day to get all my work done, I’m probably being more creative and productive by taking the break, which probably makes Erin’s dog, Harley, very happy.
Posts
Erin on 15 May 2008 at 3:39 pm #
Yes Harley does love the walks
steph on 15 May 2008 at 3:41 pm #
I’ve been doing this every day! Usually it helps, but sometimes it distracts me enough that I can’t get right back into work after!
Beth on 15 May 2008 at 3:48 pm #
I just got back from one of my walks. I needed to prioritize how I was going to finish today… It’s 4:47 p.m., and I’ve got a website to proof and a promotional email series to write. Guess I better get some coffee.
Beth on 19 May 2008 at 1:08 pm #
Today I am too embarrassed to do a walk around the block. My hair is so bad I’m wearing a baseball cap even though I’m the only one here.
Note to self: no more going to bed with wet hair.
Should I clock out for a bathroom break? | Life on Avenue Z on 26 May 2008 at 2:29 pm #
[...] come up with some rules for when to clock out and when to keep charging. If I take a “think around the block” to combat writer’s block on a project, I stay on the clock because I’m usually [...]
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