Friendly reminder: if you're stuck on a problem, go for a two-mile walk.
I've had a half-dozen career shifts in the past 15 years, and as a result have had to adjust to new things to think about while incorporating new ways to think about them.
One thing I've always come back to is this: if stuck on a problem—be it creative, analytical, or otherwise—go for a walk. Or a run. Or a cycle. It doesn't matter. Put literal miles between you and what's blocking you. Make your brain focus on moving your body.
Regardless of whether I had been running or walking, the two-mile marker was almost always where I thought of a solution. I was able to return to the problem fresh, work on the solution, and move past it.
Pulling your hair out? Pouring a sixth cup of coffee? Skipping meals? Put it down. Take a walk.
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+1. A quick walk can clear up some serious mental roadbloacks.
Always a good reminder— it's easy to forget!
And if that still doesn't work (almost always does), don't fret and sleep on it. The mind works in mysterious ways... 🙂
Even if I'm not stuck, I take a two mile-minimum hike/walk everyday. In fact that's what I'm off to do now!
Kudos on the post
So true! Or sleep on it if it's night time. There's been so many times where I slept on a problem only to come up with a super simple solution the next morning.
Love to hear your advice. Or a quick tidy up your workplace or you house would be okay, too. Thank you Zak. I’m going for a run now. Hope to see more of your posts.
I too find it very useful! It is such a simple thing to do yet so helpful and great at getting a hold on your thoughts!
My old boss used to take teammates on 3 hour walks in the woods to discuss life and business. I think he found it rejuvenating for the reasons you mentioned but also the combination of talking with a teammate in a nature setting really boosted creativity in terms of idea generation in a way that could not be matched somehow from office settings. This is a great post!
I wish I had a forest to walk around in…that sounds really nice.
agreed - best ideas can come when you don't expect them to, or dont force them.
that's what happened to us at REJUVIA (rejuviamedical.com)
So much this.
Big pitfall for me, I will often try way too long and then get frustrated/stressed that my brain just can’t get to the solution.
Literally stepping away is the best approach.
Great reminder @zakke. Always good to reassess while getting some fresh air.
Great reminder. It works. Enough said. Thanks!