Cup of Inspiration

Today’s post is inspired by this quote of the day in my Franklin planner.

• “I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” – Albert Einstein

In this current computer age, it can be difficult to find that quiet solitude described by Einstein. Most places offer access to Wi-Fi for our phones and computers. The good news is the smartphone offers us a chance to stay connected at all times with the world. However, the downside is that it offers us a chance to stay connected at all times with the world. We can stay connected to our family and friends in case of emergency, or to share news at a moment’s notice. It also allows us to stay connected to work and the news of the world whether we want to be connected or not.

While there are advantages to being able to stay connected while still attending events or taking care of various responsibilities in our lives, there is a big disadvantage. It can be exceedingly difficult to get away from everything and just allow our minds to process everything. We are constantly having to process incoming information that is flying at us like water through a firehose. News articles, calendar reminders, social media notifications, weather alerts, all come streaming into our phones faster than our minds can take it in. Do you ever feel buried by the information overload by the end of the week? It does not even end there. The weekends do not give a pause to the avalanche of notifications flying in at us.

If you are ever feeling stuck, look at your environment. Are you having trouble with that writing assignment? Cannot decide how to plan out that presentation for next week at work? Blanking out where to start on that business idea? Look around. Is that smartphone pinging with the endless tide of notifications? Is your email filling up faster than you can read the messages? Is that Slack or Teams notification on your computer dinging every time you start to make progress?

Perhaps you cannot escape to a cabin in the mountains. Running off to a vacant beach that is miles from the nearest person is probably not an option. What can you do?

Fretting with putting together that presentation for next week? Step into the kitchen, leaving behind the phone and computer, and take a few minutes for a cup of tea. Struggling with writer’s block for that assignment? Pour an extra cup of coffee, step out on the porch, and leave the electronics behind. The incoming calls can go to voicemail. The emails will be there when you are ready. Set the Slack or Teams status to “Away” and let the incoming messages come; they do not need an answer in the next 10 seconds (unless there is truly a medical emergency involved.)

In an age where everyone expects instant answers, instant gratification, not having to wait for anything, it can be hard. But keep everything in perspective. Unless there is a true medical emergency, the world will not fall apart while you take 10-15 minutes away from the screens. Your company will not go under because you did not reply to that email within seconds of its arrival in your inbox. That text on your phone will still be there after your break.

That brief break will allow your mind to recharge. We will restart our computers when they start acting sluggishly, but we do not think of doing something similar for our own bodies. Just like computers often will work correctly after a restart, our minds can get to work with a small break. They can finally catch up, and the ideas will begin to flow once the inbound avalanche is no longer in the way. Do not feel guilty about taking a break. That break is just as important to your productivity as a working computer and smartphone.

If you can find the time for a longer break, consider that trip to the mountains or to a rustic, abandoned beach. Who knows what kinds of inspiration you will find after a break from the 21^st century.