This may be a surprise to some readers but at the recent BBC World News roundtable discussion with 8 Nobel Prize winners, each replied in a similar fashion to the same question. They were all asked,’When do you create your best ideas?’

This group comprised some of the best minds in their field, whether it be medicine, social sciences or physics.  You could guess that they would respond by remarking, ‘When I’m deeply involved in a project at work’ or ‘When I’m at the lab.’

But no.

Each responded that they got their best ideas when they were away from work, perhaps
during a walk or having a shower. In other words, when their minds were relaxed and focused on other, often mundane, activities.

You may have experienced something similar yourself. You immerse yourself fully into some project and your busy mind plays with ideas, concepts and theories. At some stage you take a break and bingo! The solution you had been searching hard to find, just pops into your mind. Simple, easy.

The takeaway from this story? Build regular breaks into your work cycle. Take time to smell the roses and you’ll come up trumps!

Let me know your favourite way to recharge your batteries.

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