Isn’t it amazing that when we are daydreaming, our brain is as active – maybe even more active – than when we are concentrating and forcing our attention on something? It almost seems counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?
Well, popularly accepted statistics say we use only 5 to 7 percent of our brain. Have you ever wondered what the rest of your brain is doing? Some researchers theorize that a portion of that “unused” part is actually a HUGE file cabinet that stores everything we have ever learned, observed, read about, experienced, etc.
We have ready access to certain things that are stored in those files because we have formed mental habits (known as neuropathways) that pull out frequently used information when we are consciously problem solving. The rest is tucked away until we access it.
What if daydreaming is our brain’s way of accessing those files? Now – that would be a great tool!
And one that operates on a very different principle that the conscious problem solving techniques we have developed through trial and error.
When we are looking for a solution to something, we usually plug it into our problem-solving formula and “work” on coming up with a solution. When we daydream, we let go of working on something and give our minds the space to wander through our mental file cabinets…sort of like doing a Google search when you want more information or some new insights!
Are you willing to give your daydreaming search engine a try?
Here’s a simple experiment:
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Today, when you think of something you would like to “solve,” take a breath before you go into your usual problem-solving mode.
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Close your eyes and imagine you are typing the topic into the search box of your favorite search engine.
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Mentally hit the GO button.
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Open your eyes and go on with your day.
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When you find yourself coming back from a daydream (You won’t have to wait long! Remember yesterday’s newsletter? You may actually spend about 1/3 of your time daydreaming!) think about the search instructions you mentally typed in and see what pops up!
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Jot down anything that sparks your interest or feels good when you think about it!
Well done!
Now - here’s one more really great feature of your internal search engine. Daydreaming gives you access to what you know that you know AND what you don’t know that you know…
Pretty cool way to use more of your brain, huh?
Just Imagine That!
