Just how can we “jump” our brains into gear to start thinking when we really need to? The entire concept is frustrating to many. We're all familiar with words like “writer's cramp” and “brain lock” when your brain won't do what you want it to do. How do we get past those times when we need the creative power of our brain, but it just doesn't come.

The answer turns out to be… movement. Surprisingly, movement stimulates thinking!

Not any movement though. Vigorous or violent motion won't do the trick. For example, playing a contact sport or bungee jumping, while exciting, don't have the desired effect.

Moderate repetitive movements… motions requiring no conscious effort on your part will. Taking a shower, washing dishes, knitting, running, tapping or wiggling your fingers, chewing gum and walking all are examples of activities that tend to get the brain flowing with ideas.

What probably happens here is that the repetitive activity pumps oxygen into the blood… this oxygenated blood travels to the brain resulting in a flow of ideas.

Don't believe me? Try it. Go for a walk right now and see if ideas don't just spontaneously start flowing. Something about the repetition and the movement just forces your brain to start working. You can't stop it.

Keep in mind that once the ideas start flowing you have to put them into permanent form (write them down, record them, etc). Carry a small shirt pocket notepad or an electronic voice recorder at all times.

The main difference between those we call creative and those we don't isn't so much a function of the number of ideas generated but rather the number captured. The creative ones just capture more.

Most important though is to put those ideas into action after you get them. An idea without action is worthless.