The other day I was flying from London to Montreal. During the silence of the plane, with no tech devices in my hand or around me, I came up with potentially the greatest Startup that; if executed properly, can change the landscape of digital wealth. I wish I could share this with you, but that is for another time.
Today is about the power of silent spaces. I guarantee if I had my social media apps open or if I was watching something on a screen or even listening to music, I likely would not have came up with such a brilliant idea in such a focused period of time.
When we allow ourselves to get silent in the world, we also allow ourselves to create amazing things in the world.
Take writing for example. Most writers thrive in ‘white noise’ environments or no noise environments to get their thoughts onto paper. When Mark Twain was writing his now famous work, he would often do his work from an ‘off the grid’ cabin somewhere in the back woods. He wasn’t at the local mall or snap chatting all his friends about his latest ideas.
He was creating in silence.
Here is another example. When James Cameron came up with the idea for AVATAR he wasn’t sitting in his home with his TV on or at the office reading emails. He was in a remote First Nations Community in Northern Alberta.
He was creating in silence.
The best masterpieces are created when we are silenced.
Now, some of you work well in noisy, fast pace environments which is also great. If that is you, continue doing what you are doing!
However, if you are someone who wants to create something beautiful or to simply be fully present in a day to solve some of your most unanswered concerns, get silent. Silence can breed creative thinking which gives way to the highest level of ideation.
My encouragement for you today is this. Take some time each day to get silent. It can even be just ten minutes. Turn off your computer, put down your phone and simply enjoy the company of your creative thoughts. See what happens when you fully immerse yourself into your next level thinking.
Here are some strategies for getting the most out of being silent each day:
- Build it into your schedule — This is the best way to be intentionally silent.
- Peak Time — Find the time that you think the best and make that time your silent time.
- Stop caring what people may think — If you need quiet time, take it. People should not take that personally.
- Take your thoughts on a walk — Walking in silence can create an amazing space for you to think.
Feel free to take these strategies to find a formula of silence that works with you to create your best work.
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This post was previously published on Medium.
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Photo credit: bantersnaps on Unsplash