Oh, how I love the Sound of Silence.
No, not the movie. I’m talking literally – like when things are quiet (except when my kids are around, of course 🙂 )
Ever wonder why people get great ideas when they are in the shower? That’s because it’s (kind of) quiet in the shower. It’s just you and the soothing sound of the water.
Ever wonder about the statement “I can’t hear myself think!”? I guess in the shower, it is quiet enough to hear yourself think. And when you can think, and more importantly “hear” yourself think, you then “really” start to “think”. That’s when “idea!”s are stumbled upon. That’s when “Aha!” moments happen, when the light bulb goes “on!”, when “Eureka!”s occur.
Even though there is technology that can disrupt that, for those of us who haven’t bought into it, I believe it to be true that we *can* think the best when it is quiet.
Then why exactly would you turn on the radio (or digital audio player) on your drive (or ride) to work?
Think about it – you have literally anywhere between 10 minutes to 1 hour (even more for some unfortunate folks) – all to yourself! Why waste that listening to opinionated talk show hosts or music that’s mostly noise? Or why waste your brain cycles processing fiction?
No, I’m not trying to bash radio entertainment or music lovers. I listen to music and talk-shows myself (but I *do not* read fiction).
My “car time” is like my very own personal space – my “thinking room”, my “temple”. Nothing can disrupt my “thinking” – unless I allow it to – be it music or political radio.
Some of my best script ideas have come during my drive to work. In fact, I am frequently able to complete the “design” of the script in my head during this time – this facilitates faster turn-around time on my scripts, not to mention, better use of my very, very precious time.
I don’t know about you – but I have only 24 hours a day. Out of those 24, I am usually left with not more than 3 hours a day for my various online businesses. Which means, every extra minute I get is a bonanza for me.
My drive to work gives me an added 1.5 hours a day of “thinking” time. This is where I do most of my strategizing, my planning for the day ahead. This is when I think of what else I could be doing to increase sales, what I could be doing better to do less and earn more, and even about how else I could be more productive.
Go ahead and try switching off that radio or music player the next time you get a chance. Focus on thinking about something that’s really important to you. Don’t worry about coming up with a great idea. Just shut out everything else and try to think about what you can do to make your business (or career) better.
Come back here and rip me apart if it doesn’t make a difference to your life.
But also do come back here and let me know if it does make a difference. I will certainly appreciate it, as will the others who are reading this.
I am willing to bet that it will make a difference.
It always does. It always has for me.
Go ahead, enjoy the Sound of Silence.
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Ravi,
I agree with you 100%. I do my best thinking also in my truck driving from job to job. I’m a subcontractor and drive to 2 or 3 locations everyday.
When I get home, I usually head straight for my office and crank up my computer, and drive more on the world wide Super Highway.
I need to be in my Quite Zone to concentrate. I don’t like phones- I prefer not to be “Reached out and touched” by anyone, if you know what I mean. A phone call just means that someone wants something anymore.
Anyway, I want to tell you a true story that happened to me a few years ago. It really changed the way I think now.
Several years ago, I spotted an older gentleman parked by the road. He was sitting in a gold Rolls Royce. I approached him and complimented him about his car. It was fully loaded, leather, tinted windows, all electric accessories, just one nice ride. I noticed that he had a large hole in the dash where the radio was. So I asked him “where’s your radio?” What he said next inspired me. He said, “Son, how do you think I became Rich?”
He then looked toward the road, started his car, and drove off.
Silence truely is Golden!
I agree with with you, but I want to complement that if you
want to have thoughts with value, you must also read watch and discuss
with people who have value.
Best Regards.
yes da machcha most of your useful thinking and stuff that really works for you comes from thingking in silence. like u said everyone’s got to have THAT place where they can think constructive things … and i agree totally with Soti Plomis… nice anecdote from Mike Hundley too … ItT must be true too…