Medium Pimping

A few days ago I shared a post from February with Merlin. We were talking about GTD and creativity for an upcoming podcast when I used a pet term of mine – brain rain. Since his post I’ve received many interesting comments, e-mails, and links to the post. I’d like to say thanks to Merlin and everyone for stopping by to say hello.

One such e-mail asked about the term and how it came about.

After 3 long years on an international IT project I was feeling tired, stressed out, and more than a little brain dead. During a month long trip in New Zealand to decompress I decided to do something about it. I kept a journal and wrote down ANY idea (good or bad) as it occurred to me. Though at first the ideas came slowly I noticed that they really stared to pick up the more I listened.

Once back stateside this habit stuck and I set aside a little time each day for it. During one of these sessions the term itself popped in my head. I liked the term a lot and was shocked to find that www.brainrain.com was free. I snatched it up and set it aside for development AFTER a non-profit project I’m working on gets off the ground.

Later it was my search to help put my ideas in motion that led me to 43folders and Getting Things Done. I highly recommend reading both as they fit hand in glove with reducing stress, capturing ideas, and thinking creatively.

So there you have it. It isn’t rocket science or magic but the results can be. Just setting aside 10 minutes a day to think creatively really does work. Think I’m wrong? THINK and maybe you will think again.

-james