"Are you daydreaming?" "Lost in thought again?"
Do you ever hear things like that? I certainly do.
Of course, if your mind wanders too often, it can definitely get in the way of work. But I genuinely believe that letting our minds wander once in a while isn't just okay – it's essential.
Think about it: when we do something repeatedly, we get used to it, we become skilled. Let's say you've done something 100 times and perfected it. Doing it the exact same way for the 101st time is comfortable, right? But what if you took a moment to consider a new way?
For example, imagine turning a task that takes an hour into one you can finish in 50 minutes. Then maybe 40 minutes, or even 30. Achieving that kind of improvement requires a shift in thinking, a fresh perspective. And honestly, those breakthroughs rarely happen when I'm staring intently at my desk.
I've found that answers often reveal themselves when I let my mind wander, especially while I'm out walking.
A quote from Johann Hari's Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again perfectly captures this new understanding of mind-wandering:
"I thought mind-wandering was the enemy of focus... and felt guilty whenever I did it. But that was wrong. Mind-wandering is actually a different form of focus—and a necessary one... Creativity doesn't come from something new magically appearing in your brain. It comes from taking two things that were already there and connecting them in a fresh way."
Ultimately, our minds are already full of ideas. Mind-wandering is the process that connects those dots, allowing us to forge new paths and find innovative solutions.
Consider this insight from Go Myeong-hwan's book, Classics Have the Answer: About the Life Worth Living (고전이 답했다 마땅히 살아야 할 삶에 대하여):
"Through repetitive work and achieving mastery, your unique style emerges. You can't possibly think this way after just one or two attempts; you don't have the mental space. Initially, you're too busy just following the existing recipe. But after thousands of repetitions – being able to throw a ball or make Tteokbokki [a popular Korean dish] almost blindfolded – that's when creativity can truly blossom."
Think about cooking a favorite dish. The first few times, you follow the recipe precisely. But after making it dozens, maybe hundreds of times, you start experimenting, adding your own flair, creating a signature taste. Mind-wandering is a crucial tool that fuels this kind of creative leap.
For me, when I need that space for my mind to wander, I walk. As I walk, memories connect, I reflect on the past, or imagine the future. It’s like my thoughts are stretching their legs.
Henry David Thoreau, one of many great thinkers who celebrated walking, put it beautifully (though the exact quote varies, the sentiment is clear): often, our thoughts travel much farther than our feet when we walk.
Walking and letting your mind roam feels like embarking on a journey toward fresh ideas. It helps organize the clutter in your head and discover better ways of doing things.
Lately, I even find writing topics while my mind wanders. Ideas that surface during a walk often become the seeds for my next piece. Friedrich Nietzsche spoke to this connection between movement and thought in The Gay Science:
"We do not belong to those who have ideas only among books, when stimulated by books. It is our habit to think outdoors—walking, leaping, climbing, dancing, preferably on lonely mountains or near the sea 1 where even the trails become thoughtful." 2
Just as Nietzsche described, in those moments where walking and thinking intertwine, we often become better versions of ourselves.
So, today, as you read, write, walk, or run – don't be afraid to let your mind wander. Don't feel guilty about "spacing out" or daydreaming. In those moments, incredible new connections might be forming in your brain.
I hope to continue sharing this journey of small, genuine growth with you – reading, writing, walking, and running together.
Here's to happy self-development today. ReadWriteWalkRun.
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