I once had a midtown office window that faced Bryant Park.
I marveled at how that green space was transformed from a drug den (“psst…sen…sen…sen”) to a leafy respite and performance space. I would people-watch from my aerie and make up story lines about the little figures seventeen floors below.
I did this during office hours. My job was to create compelling story lines that would highlight client achievements, and to create new programming that would attract new clients. Willie Loman’s was a “shoe leather” approach, while I let my synapses do the walking.
Anyhow, one fine day I turned away from my keyboard, put my feet up on the window sill, leaned back, took in the Bryant Park scene, and cast my mind out into the sea of ideas. Like fishing, one must be patient, and only jiggle the line once in a while, to attract a lunker. My brain surfed my internal Internet, slip-sliding from one shard of an idea to another.
My reverie was shattered by the visage of my boss, his reflection in the panoramic window overlooking the park.
“So. Kleinman. Busy as a bee, huh?” he said.
And I said, “yup.” And by the close of business, a kick-ass proposal was written, and we landed a big account.
I come to you today in praise of daydreaming. There was even an article in The New York Times about it recently.
The creative process is fragile and ideas of value are like souffles; they are easy to fall. I have a little reminder taped to my keyboard, which underscores the delicacy of the creative mind:
–this is awesome
–this is tricky
–this is shit
–I am shit
–this might be ok
–this is awesome
Here we are in the dog days of summer. The air is heavy and the temps are high. Energy is sub-optimal. It’s a perfect time to sit back, reflect, read a book, hit “pause”, cast your mind out into the ocean of ideas, and let it drift. No one is watching. No one is judging. It’s just you, your brain, and your thoughts.
Finally at peace, finally free of the electronic noise, you are truly yourself.
It may not seem so to the casual observer, but in this state of blissful creativity, you will truly be busy as a bee. And loving every minute of it.