The structure of the recent, wonderfully received, Australian Naturopathic Summit came to me when I was riding my bike along one of the beautiful back roads of Mullumbimby, freewheeling downhill in the glorious sunshine. Like the cartoons, the format of the ANS simply appeared like a light bulb above my head.
I had been feeling dissatisfied with the education being offered Australian naturopaths for some time and I liked the idea of a new wave of education and professional community building but my thoughts hadn’t progressed or crystallized any further. I was still stuck focusing on the problem.
The critical creative moment for the ANS was born not at my desk, nor in my clinic, but on my bike, with all my senses buzzing thanks to sun, the gorgeous sights, sounds and smells all around me. I came back and said to Kathryn, “I think I’ve just come up with a good idea”.
This didn’t surprise me, Kathryn or anyone who knows me. Whenever I need to write a new lesson, develop a presentation or move my business in a new direction, it is incredibly rare that this has come to me sitting at my desk. In contrast, walking, running, riding, swimming, sleeping, daydreaming in the sun all of these things and more are where the light bulbs are guaranteed to happen for me. Because this is so bankable, I actually know to schedule in and even prioritise what I call , ‘unstructured thinking time’. If I don’t make time for it, the end product often fails to hit the spot.
Of course I am not alone. There is a lot research that supports the concept that when we focus on the problem at hand, we ‘narrow’ our vision and our thoughts. When we relax we broaden our attention and become open to more obscure possibilities. A great short piece of info is in this 4 minute You Tube clip by bite size psych https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2ll5bwpKw.
So all I am saying guys and gurus is don’t focus on solving your problems, but rather, clock off, check out and do something pleasurable away from your desk, your office and your practice if you want the creativity gods to pay you a visit! 🙂
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