Why you get ideas in the shower
When you are known as a writer on creativity, people send you things. Recently I was forwarded a link to AquaNotes, a waterproof notepad you can put in your shower. I've never used one, but I can tell you the science behind why people get ideas in the shower.
Technically speaking we get ideas all the time – that's what it means to be conscious. We have ideas for what to eat, say, and do in nearly every waking moment. It's quite hard to stop thinking, as anyone who has tried to practice meditation can tell you. We are hard-wired for ideas.
More germane to showers, we rarely admit how much of who we are is driven by our subconscious minds. We know our dreams, which are owned and operated by our subconscious, can be incredibly creative. But on a busy day in modern times we are bombarded with information, and our conscious mind dominates. It's only when we have quiet time, going for a walk, getting some exercise, or taking a shower, that our conscious minds quiet down enough for our sub-conscious to be heard. And that's why you get ideas in the shower. The other inputs to your mind are quiet, your body (which is connected to your brain) is relaxed, and the way is clear for the rest of your brain to bubble up interesting thoughts. (Chapter 1, 6 and 12 of The Myths of Innovation explores the science/history of, and advice on, how creativity works – sample chapters here (PDF)).
Of course there are other ways to engage the natural creativity of your sub-conscious. Taking an improv theater class is all about learning simple games that quiet your conscious brain, and let your creative instincts come through. And as everyone is different, going for a run, sharing coffee with friends, or painting a fence might provide the best kind of environment for you. Lastly, there's drugs and alcohol, substances artists have used for centuries to shift their thinking and allow other parts of the mind to have center stage. Don't kid yourself: the caffeine in your coffee does all kinds of things to how your brain functions.
But part of the mythology around ideas and showers is somehow a truly great idea will, on its own, make you rich and change the world, a fantasy I can promise has never happened. Ideas are easy to find once you understand the basics of how they work (See ideas are made of other ideas). But it's always what you do with your ideas after you get them that matters. And perhaps this Aquanote thing, which lets you leave the shower with the idea in your hand, isn't such a silly idea after all.
Related posts:New update on the next book
The irony of creative change
All ideas are made of other ideas
Idea killers: ways to stop ideas
Why you should be weird
