What does it take to come up with a new idea and a new design? Tomes of literature exist regarding how to stimulate the creative spirit and encourage it to develop something new. W. J. J. Gordon and Tony Poze working with Synectics as well as thinking guru, Edward DeBono, Lateral Thinking, have made a small fortune training corporate industry thinkers all over the world on how to develop new ideas.

While this blog could easily become a dissertation and list numerous ways to develop something new, today’s focus is on only one, diverting attention. There are many examples in the literature of instances wherein a designer, researcher, or developer spent intensive study attempting to develop a problem solving idea, only to finally give up and move to another activity. Perhaps the individual went for a walk, watched a TV show or, as in my husband’s case, drove the tractor for hours. In other words, the person diverted attention from the problem at hand. Amazingly, when the developer focused on something totally alien to the idea development, an “aha” moment occurred. 

It’s hard for many of us, particularly in a time crunch, to take the time for a diversion. There are all manner of excuses. “This is going to the store TOMORROW!” “If I don’t get this done today, it will never been finished.” “I don’t like to give up.” Go ahead, I’ll bet you can add ten more reasons. Yet, most sensibly, we should try diversion.

I have been attempting to do some sewing for my little grandson for a couple of weeks. Finally, yesterday, while stuck on a design problem, I stopped and worked on his little shoes. I became so interested in the task, that I forgot all about the jewelry problem and enjoyed my diverted work. I was not even deterred when someone told me the shoes looked like slippers. OK, that’s probably true, but wait until you see them in leather! The child is only 9 months old; I think slippers are OK.

I must admit that I did not have any great “aha” during my diversion. Sometimes, the diversion simply refreshes you, as was the case yesterday. Following the shoe/slipper diversion, I went back and very quickly finished several pieces with which I had been piddling. A couple of them are below.

So, when you’re stuck, try diversion. I like that term better than “relax!” Type A personalities divert better than they “take a break”. Maybe one day I’ll learn to do the latter.