I don’t consider myself a “creative” – I think that term is usually designated for designers, artists, and illustrators, and other types. Developers – although we create things – are creative in a different way.
It’s more about problem solving, I guess.
Anyway, one of the things that seems to be the most common among people of the similar trade is the challenge that comes with having to solve problems that we’re stuck on during the daily grind.
I can’t speak about designers (though I know this is something that affects those who I do know), but in terms of developers, I know that the problem works something like this:
At some point during a project, we get mired in a problem and we’re unable to solve it. The more we try to solve it, the more the frustrated we get. Ultimately, we step away from the computer, but what happens in a few hours?
We end up solving the problem while focused on something else.
It’s an interesting thing, and it’s something around which plenty of research is done (and, I’m sure even has a proper name for it), but the point of all of this has nothing to do with mentioning the fact that this exists.
It’s how we – as developers or even those creative types – can leverage it to our own success.
Solving Problems in Your Sleep
For example, the first time that you experience this whole thing happening, it’s kinda neat, but the more you work in the field, the more and more you come to expect it. And, at first, it can be a little frustrating because you end up thinking “okay, so when’s are these problems going to work themselves out?”
Then you end up solving problems in your sleep.
But, in my experience, the more we recognize that this is how we work – our how our minds work – or however you want to say it, the more we can leverage it to our advantage.
By that, I mean that if we know we’re going to be working on a problem or a project that has some significant challenges ahead, or we have an idea for a project for which we haven’t actually worked out all of the details, perhaps the best thing that we can do is to let the idea sit on the back burner for a little bit.
To that end, one of the things that I’ve been doing over the last year or so is, whenever I’m stuck on a problem, rather than getting flustered with the lack of solution, I normally get away from my desk and try to do something else completely unrelated. Usually, it helps.
When it comes to wanting to work on a project for which I don’t have the idea fully developed yet, I jot down the general idea of the project, and then start collecting related ideas.
Then, as I’m doing other work such as reading blogs, magazines, playing a game, watching a movie, or even just hanging out with family and friends, if something strikes me as an idea that could contribute to the project, then I make a note and come back to it later.
Over time, I eventually have enough data to filter that will help shape the project that I eventually want to start.
Maybe This Is Not for You (Or Maybe It Is)
I know a lot of this is saying “here’s what I do, here’s what I recommend, here’s what i’ve found,” and all that jazz and I have no idea if this will really work for other people, but I figure that if this is a phenomenon that other people have experienced, then it’d stand to reason that perhaps the rest of this would work for others, as well.
All that to say, that if this is something that you’ve experienced or something that you’ve struggled with in the past, rather than trying to wait for it work itself out, try to leverage it to your advantage.
Look for opportunities to facilitate inspiration or solving the problem rather than waiting for it to trike you.
it happens all the time, sometimes i even dream that something is wrong with something been working on, i wake and try to do what i dreamed and there it is… a bug
Oh, man. I know that feeling all too well, Rommel.
This is definitely something real – for most of us, I think. Sometimes it’s one of those “forest and trees” things that just needs a break for fresher eyes, and sometimes it’s a real inspiration that comes. And sometimes it’s the unforeseen email (or article, or comment from another developer, etc) that just clicks into the heart of the problem. And it’s always a wonderful feeling!
Amen – and I love hearing from others who has experienced and can identify with the same thing.
Great excuse to go for a walk as well. Always gives me new ideas and possible solutions when I can get the blood pumping, a change of scenery and some fresh air.
Get a dog, take a walk, become a creative genius.
Love it – and thanks for the link, Michael :).
If you haven’t heard of Todd Henry and The Accidental Creative, you might check him out. He’s king of helping creatives (and you, as a problem solver, are a creative, Tom) find ways to keep on creating in a healthy way. I do find that doing something else, especially unrelated and not too brain draining, can help me solve a problem I have elsewhere. Great post!
Thanks for this recommendation – I’m going to have to check this out!
Sometimes it’s even more subconscious then that for me. I walk away from the project for a day, come back and I instantly know what’s wrong.
I’ve recently been talking to coworkers about this. I tend to dream about work a lot, and many times I’ll dream solutions to the problems hanging on my mind. About half the time, the solution is exactly what I’ve been looking for and works perfectly. The other half, I wake up and realize the dreamt up solution will never work, because sometimes my brain just makes crap up in my dreams. Oh well, many times it’s enough to at least kick me in a different direction :)
This happened to be in college – especially may later years.
The more I work professionally in this capacity, and the more less sleep I get (works, kids, life, etc ;), the more I find solutions when out for a walk, run, playing the guitar, or basically just getting away from the problem at hand.
Sleep, sunshine,change of environment, walk , it seems
Like a form of meditation whether its maths, code, writers or designers Block they all seem to work. Away from thinking too hard the subconscious seems to takeover, ideas and solutions flow. Be interested to understand better the neuroscience but maybe better not to! Nice post⚡
Agree with you 100%, Amanda. Thanks for the comment :).
This is definitely true for me as well. Interesting that you posted this. I just started a book on the topic of shutting down your brain to be more creative called Autopilot: The Art and Science of Doing Nothing. Definitely a solid read so far!
Thanks for this link — this is the kind of stuff that will be interesting to read!
I feel very good, because, sometimes i feel guilty when im checking the web when i trying to figure out a problem, or something else, and then the problem open in my head.
I gonna refer this article to my wife, je, so maybe she stop nagging me when im “doing nothing” :D
I like this strategy ;)
I find both, sleep and play, works well for me from time to time. Not always though… :-)
LOL – sometimes I try to mix the two, but that’s hard ;).