Thomas Edison is known as one of the greatest inventors who ever lived. He invented the phonograph, the motion picture and, of course, the light bulb. In total, Edison had 1,093 patents to his name.
However, as brilliant of an innovator that Edison was, he was also the worst fisherman. Edison used to spend an hour almost everyday, alone, sitting at the end of a dock and fish. Day in and day out, he sat there, fishing pole and line in hand, but…he never caught any fish.
People often wondered: Why is Edison so obsessed with fishing when he is so bad at it?
Later on in life, someone actually asked Edison the reason behind him being such a lousy fisherman.
His answer?:
“I really never caught any fish because I have never used any bait.”
Believing that Edison is crazy, a follow up question was then asked of him: “Why in the world would you fish without bait?”
Edison replied: “Because when you fish without bait, people don’t bother you and neither do the fish. It provides me my best time to think.”
Its no coincidence that the world’s best inventors was also the world’s worst fisherman.
In fact, because Edison was the world’s worst fisherman, he could become the world’s most renowned scientists.
Because he had this uninterrupted, quiet time, was he able to think, ponder, create and innovate—first in his mind.
Did you know…according to research by Henri Poincare (another scientist – who methodically studied and observed how others come up with their creative breakthrough ideas), he found that most people stumble upon their breakthrough right after a period of rest.
This quote sums it up:
“When the brain relaxes, it’s like a sedimentation process in action. The millions of thoughts you have sink to the bottom and the most path-breaking thoughts float to the top like cream.” – Sean D’Souza
What is it YOU want to accomplish in you life right now?
Moving towards (or finding) your dream job?
Doing well and finishing strong in grad school?
Stopping the hamster wheel of overexercise and/or dieting that dominates your days?
Figuring out the why behind why you keep running back to the same old habit and routine you wish to get rid of?
Get to the bottom of your less-than-optimal health (low energy, poor digestion, frequent illness, etc.)?
Learn how to stand confident and firm as just you—not needing a relationship to define you or fulfill your every sense of happiness?
Reconnecting with what it is you love to do and are passionate about?
Stop saying ‘tomorrow’ and really take meaningful action today?
Write that book or start that blog you’ve been meaning to write for the past five years?
Devote more time to your spiritual life and connectedness?
Stop ‘working for the man’–and start working for yourself?
Something different than what you are doing now?
And beyond…
Are you setting aside some time for you to ponder and reflect?
Practice regularly setting aside some time—15-20 minutes—for yourself to do nothing. That may even mean putting time on your calendar for committed, quiet, creative time.
This could look as simple as:
- Slowing down and taking long showers or bubble baths to reflect
- Going for a long walk—no cell phone attached at the hip
- Turning on some soothing classical or calm music
- Breaking out an old school pen and paper and just writing what comes to mind
- Closing your eyes to mindfully reflect (or even nap)
- Finding some zen for 15-20 minutes during your regular workout routine or stretch session to brainstorm, dream, think, create
Make this time a priority as much as you do: going to work, getting out a project, spending time with your kids, doing laundry, scheduling your social calendar or checking off your to-do list.
A holiday weekend, like Memorial Weekend this weekend, is a great time to start finding the space to do this.
Slow down, and watch you ‘a ha’ and Eureka! moments unfold.