Off to the Zoo… to Let My Brain do the Work for Me

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I am taking the morning off today & taking my kids who are on spring break to the zoo. I’m finding more and more lately that leaving my home office to either get out of the house (or even go clean other parts of the house!) has been pretty critical to my ability to think strategically about my business. When I am focused on ‘what to do next’ my brain sometimes just freezes. But when my brain is occupied with fun or mundane stuff, the back of my mind spins new ideas and problem-solves for me while I’m not even trying. In fact, this is how I came up with my new soon-to-be-announced business name.

So in the spirit of giving our brains a break, please leave a comment and share with us what you are going to do today (or sometime in the next few days) to walk away from your desk & get some fresh air. I’d also be curious to hear about what problem, challenge, or question you have been pondering lately that just might get resolved when you go have some fun!

60 Total TweetBacks: (Tweet this post)

en: When there are delays or flights are canceled, your travel agent should let you know. Orbitz.com does that. Our local service doesn't. Grrr. 07/03/09 12:23pm
en: this silly weather destroyed my whole day! I can't go out the house or i'd die :D no shopping :( hopefully daddy will go with me tommorrow 07/03/09 12:23pm
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en: yea if all ur girls emotional go write a note on fb lol im bored @ work like josh i wana laugh or b entertaind 07/02/09 10:14pm
en: was I in Barcelona tonight? Or sitting outside the Edinburgh bar in formerly known as Barcelona on a scorchio nite? 07/02/09 10:14pm
en: Webster Dictionary "SWEET" Pleasing To The Mind Or Feelings; Marked By Good Humor or Kindliness; Much Loved = @mmangen 07/02/09 10:14pm
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en: yea if all ur girls emotional go write a note on fb lol im bored @ work like josh i wana laugh or b entertaind 07/02/09 10:14pm
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Comments

1. On April 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 am, Lori said:

Good for you! We all need a break, that’s for sure!

I’ll be getting some fresh air (literally)today. I’ve got to clean up our yard and I’m gonna dig up the ground to prepare it for some grass seeds. Not exactly fun to me but it’s a way for me to be productive and for my little one to enjoy the outdoors.

Spring works on the ranch start soon so I’ll be taking some pictures of all the cowboys working! I can’t wait. I love to do that!!!

Lori’s last blog post..Join OMSH�s Swaparooni!

2. On April 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 am, Ria Kennedy said:

Hey Wendy, sounds fun! I will not be doing anything so exhilarating, I’m cleaning out the hard drive. How does it get so clogged so fast?

I’ve been going back and forth whether to keep my forum going, and I decided to quit it because it was too much management. I just didn’t have the time to do that and blog and write.

Good luck with the new site, I’m very excited about it!
Ria Kennedy’s last blog post..Life Comes With Regrets

3. On April 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 am, Courtney said:

We are visiting my parents this week, so the kids and I were able to take a nice walk down the lake this morning. Very peaceful! Have fun at the zoo.

4. On April 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 am, Andrea said:

If the wind dies down, I’ll be going for a walk now that enough snow has melted to do so safely.

And when I can’t go outside, I sew. I’ve been making tea cozies and have an online shop in the works.

Which seems like work, but I think it’s fun and it IS a break from my other work.

5. On April 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm, Rachel said:

I’m going to the doctor tomorrow. Not a fun break, but I always find that being out in the “real world” helps clarify my priorities and gives me time for my brain to relax, absorb, and explore new ideas.

6. On April 3rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm, Genesis said:

No break in the works for me, I´m afraid. But a trip to the zoo sounds like fun! Usually, I just take a short ride into town with my husband and sons, do a bit of shopping and that´s my big break!

7. On April 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm, GoalGuru.com said:

Funny how my brain ignites either during or right after a shower, working out, hiking, relaxing at the beach, in airplanes, at Starbucks, etc.

We all have to remember to work smarter, not harder. Carving out time for fun is necessary for high performance.

Live Your Dreams,

Jill

8. On April 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm, Suzie Cheel said:

That sounds like lots of fun.

this weekend I am going with a friend to a Craft Fair where I have a quilt on exhibition, I may even get an idea for a new niche!

I am going to meet new people and watch The Moses Code.

I meditate, listen to music, play in the garden, sometimes I paint and stitch.

Asking for help more often has solved some challenges for me.

Have a delicious weekend:)

9. On April 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 pm, Joanne said:

I usually go someplace fun with my family. Sometimes we to to a nearby arcade and play games…..other times we’ll go hang out in the park with some friends. Just hanging out with my kids helps me to remmeber to lighten up and have fun!

Joanne’s last blog post..Meeting Your Childs Emotional Needs

10. On April 4th, 2008 at 7:41 am, Susan Payton said:

Yay for all of us! My business has been booming, but like you, while that seems great, I find it hard to turn off my head.

I’m going to yoga, going to return something I should have a month ago, and will take my son to a fun play place.

Later this evening…insert alcoholic beverage of choice (wine? rum? haven’t decided. it’s only 9:30 am)

Susan Payton’s last blog post..April Fools�, Talk Like a Pirate Day and Other PR Ploys

11. On April 4th, 2008 at 7:42 am, Mother Earth said:

I often collage for a mind retreat like experience. This weekend I am scrapbooking, I try and do that every month. I am scrapbooking in retro, moving forward I am doing it digitally and so that attaches me for another reason to a machine - drat. Suzie mentioned asking and I do that all the time! Ask a major question and the answer comes, most often while you are in the shower or walking the dog! I took my kids to the museum of science and industry last week when it was their spring break. I agree with the leave the scene premise, when you work and live in the same space it’s hard to seperate.

Have an absolutely lovely family day

Mother Earth’s last blog post..Teen Obesity and High Fructose Corn Syrup

12. On April 4th, 2008 at 8:30 am, Jo said:

My husband and I are going out with friends, and I’ll spend the rest of the evening curled up with my knitting.

I’m working on a grammar tips book, and I’m looking for a title. I need something that will be good for a series.

13. On April 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am, David said:

I have a new portal site to finish and my break is visiting emoms. Can’t stay too long or I will never finish.

14. On April 5th, 2008 at 9:34 pm, Emilee Monaghan said:

I am going to take my daughter bowling tomorrow for her 3rd birthday party (she loves it!).

I agree that sometimes taking a break is just what is needed to get things cleared out, and to get you fired up again.

Great post!

15. On April 6th, 2008 at 11:34 pm, Dede said:

I’m going to be getting my hair done. Sounds weird, but I love having someone else wash my hair and I love how my hair feels after coming back from the salon. Why is it that you can never do your own hair the same way that the hair dresser does it?

16. On April 7th, 2008 at 9:03 am, Karen Putz / DeafMom said:

The hubby and I are in San Jose enjoying the last few hours of our trip. We’re heading to Starbucks and then the hot tub and finally the airport. Is it crazy to want to move to Silicon Valley?

17. On April 7th, 2008 at 10:54 pm, JoLynn Braley said:

This isn’t what I’d really call a fun activity (although I don’t hate it) but when I wash dishes, I get a lot of ideas. Basically, when I get up and away from the computer, that’s when the ideas start flowing, just like you said.

Same thing happens when I exercise, which I am putting back into my routine after getting a bit out of the hang of it by going on vacation.
JoLynn Braley’s last blog post..Feel Too Overwhelmed to Lose Weight and Get Fit?

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