May 5, 2009
The Fine Art of Goofing Off
Goofing off has a bad rap. Kids who do it in school are called unfocused. Adults who do it are labeled as irresponsible, or worse. And why? What’s so bad with goofing off?
I prefer to think in different terms:
- Recharging my batteries
- Blue-sky thinking
- Strategic musing
Some of my best and most creative ideas have come after a short period of goofing off – stopping in a store after lunch to browse the sale rack; taking the long way home from a meeting, just to drive the twisty road (Austinites, if you’ve ever driven Westlake Drive, you know what I’m talking about…) or heading to the beach for a well-deserved break from it all. While I’m disconnected from the chaotic business world, even for 30 minutes, I notice solutions I’ve missed; opportunities I’ve overlooked; and to-do tasks I’d forgotten to handle.
So the next time you’re stuck on a problem, consider running out for an ice-cream cone; taking an aimless walk; practice your golf swing, bike technique, or swim stroke; or other ‘aimless’ pursuits – and see if it doesn’t jostle something loose and break up the mental log jam!
|
|
|
|
|
 |
