Using Different Parts of your Brain

There was some research done into what parts of the brain were triggered when writing at a computer versus what parts were triggered when writing with a pencil and paper.  The experiments showed that writing by hand triggered significantly different portions of the brain than when writing at a computer.

Obviously it is expected that there would be some difference because of the varied muscle motor skills required by each activity.  However, the difference was greater than what would be expected by just the required motor differences.

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The conclusion of the researches was that we think significantly
differently when writing by hand than we do when using a computer. This
has some important implications for creativity.  By simply changing the
way we record our thoughts we can change the neurons that are firing
inside our head.  Using different neurons opens up the possibility of
making different types of connections and associations.

This isn’t to say that switching how you write will suddenly make
you a genius, but it can help you reach your full potential.  As a
simple exercise, try writing about a subject using a computer and then
coming back and writing about it again the next day using a pen and
paper.  You’ll probably find that you make some new associations that
you didn’t make previously.  This is partially because of the way your
brain tends to work on things subconsciously and partially because
changing the way you write causes your brain to work differently.

Composers have used this trick for years when they get stuck writing
music.  It is common practice for them to switch to a different
instrument to help get over a brain block.  The different instrument
causes them to think about the musical "problem" in a different way.

You can use a similar approach when you feel like you are suffering
from a lack of creativity.  Even simple things like working in a
different place can help change your mind’s context in ways that can
help trigger new creative thoughts.   

Here is a list of some things you can do to help trigger different parts of your brain:

• Change Where You Work - This can be as simple as moving
  from the desk to the dining room table for a few hours or as drastic as
  spending a month in a Mexican villa across the border.
• Use a Different Tool - This is similar to the idea of
  switching from writing with the computer to writing by hand, but it can
  be done in other ways as well.  If you are writing, try using a
  typewriter for a while.  If you are working for creative numerical
  solutions, switch to using a calculator and ledger paper instead of a
  spreadsheet. If you normally use Microsoft Word, switch to using a
  simpler text editor.
   
• Talk to Someone Else - If you are brain storming for a
  solution to a problem consider discussing it with someone totally
  outside of your area of expertise.  Talk to a child or your
  grandparent. You may find that the process of defining the problem for
  someone outside of the problem domain can help clarify a solution.
• Take a Break - Sometimes just doing something totally
  unrelated can help you generate creative ideas.  Better yet, do
  something you’ve never done before.  This can be as simple as visiting
  a new coffee shop or as drastic as moving to a foreign country.

Of course if you spend all of your time just trying to mix things up to
be creative, your productivity will go down.  However, spending a
little time making sure that you aren’t getting stuck in a thinking rut
can be extremely valuable and can help you make leaps ahead in your
personal effectiveness.