Tinker Dabble Doodle Try
by Srini Pillay
Melbourne 2017
The Vital Role of Focus and Unfocus
Recent research highlights that both focus and unfocus are essential for the brain to function optimally. Alternating between these states not only builds resilience and enhances creativity but also improves decision-making abilities. Understanding the balance between intense focus and strategic unfocus is crucial for achieving higher cognitive performance and well-being.
Tinker
Tinkering involves casually attempting to repair or improve something, whether it's an object or an idea. This process allows your mind to shift from feeling stuck to exploring possible solutions, thereby enhancing creativity and fostering new insights through unexpected neural connections.
Revery
Reverie refers to a state of absent-minded daydreaming or indulging in fanciful notions. It's a mental state where the mind wanders freely, allowing for spontaneous connections and insights that are not bound by focused thinking.
The Default Mode Network (DMN)
The DMN is active even when we are not engaged in specific tasks—it's the brain's "default" activity mode. Far from being inactive, the DMN is involved in various complex processes such as accessing old memories, connecting past, present, and future events, and synthesizing diverse ideas. This activity enhances self-awareness, fosters creativity, and improves our ability to understand others, contributing to better personal and team dynamics.
Conscious and Unconscious Brain
The conscious brain processes information at a rate significantly slower than the unconscious brain—60 bits per second versus 11 million bits per second. This vast difference underscores the incredible processing power of the unconscious mind, which operates mostly beyond our direct awareness.
Auto Noetic Consciousness
Auto noetic consciousness, or the state of flow, is achieved when one completely lets go of their current self-concept to embrace potential future selves. As Lao Tzu famously said, "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." This state is about releasing fixed identities to embrace evolving possibilities.
The Power of Belief and Positive Disintegration
Belief has a profound biochemical basis, akin to the effects seen in placebo studies. It's important to recognize that maintaining a constant focus isn't always beneficial; the origin and quality of focus determine its effectiveness. Moreover, theories like Kazimierz Dąbrowski's Positive Disintegration suggest that anxiety and tension are necessary for self-actualization, helping to refine and rebuild the personality towards greater achievements and personal fulfillment.
Practical Application of Brain Energy
The brain, though small in size, consumes about 20% of the body's energy. The Default Mode Network (DMN), previously believed to be less active, actually uses a significant amount of energy even when the brain seems to be at rest. This energy supports the brain's ability to engage in creative and predictive thinking.
Strategies for Enhancing Creativity
To maximize creative output, it's beneficial to incorporate regular breaks during tasks that require innovative thinking. These breaks refresh the mind and prevent stagnation, helping to ensure that new ideas are genuinely transformative. Regular intervals for shifting focus, taking lunch breaks, and temporarily stepping away from work can significantly enhance productivity and creativity.