The horror. Every meeting, there is a moment I glide away into daydream mode. Especially when there is a window, I get lost in thoughts. Embarrassing.
No, I am not talking about the moment someone snaps me back to reality.
Because you know what? I actually love staring into nothingness…
What is daydreaming for real?
The thing people have constantly criticized you for since childhood might actually be a secret weapon for productivity. Letting your mind wander during a daydream can boost creativity, reduce stress, and even solve some complicated problems.
All of that sounds a lot like having a refreshing nap. But with your eyes wide open.
And it turns out that these special brain activities are more or less the same…
How does that daydreaming magic work?
When you are sleeping, different parts of your brain get to work.
The same happens when you are daydreaming. But this time, your brain gets into the so-called default mode network (DMN).
This thingy handles creative problem-solving and complex thinking.
Your brain is at its best when you give it the freedom to think.
Daydreaming is exactly that. No worries about getting the bus, paying the bills, meeting a deadline…
It allows your mind to make new connections between all those little islands of thoughts and experiences that are floating in your head.
Did you know that some of the greatest minds in history were natural-born daydreamers?
These geniuses understood that daydreaming and breaks are a secret super power to come up with brilliant ideas.
And that is only one of the benefits…
The triple effect of daydreaming
If nobody is around to snap you back to reality, daydreaming can do three great things to you.
Effect #1: A mental journey without destination
When I daydream, I visit places in my head that I couldn’t imagine.
I find that mysterious, because when I nap, I have more control of where my brain will take me.
But I like surprises that come from deep within me.
Effect #2: Background processing
Problems. Who doesn’t have them?
I am not talking about what to have for dinner tonight, but about complicated issues you cannot fully grasp.
I learned to let go and not focus on those things, because I now trust that my brain will do the thinking in the background.
But I also learned that I need to allow my mind to freewheel. And daydreams are ideal for a lazy dude like me.
No effort.
Big impact.
Effect #3: Less pressure
Unlike what you were told as a kid, daydreams are not a waste of time.
There are more than enough seconds in a day to focus.
If you want to keep going, you need to mentally escape from everything.
That includes your phone, colleagues, mailbox, and so on.
After a good drift into thoughts, I feel refreshed and more focused.
And if you want to give it a go, you can try these tips…
4 Practical tips to daydream like a pro
The tips below work well for me to open the doors of the kingdom where my thoughts reign.
Tip #1: The window to the kingdom of daydreams
Remember that I said I can daydream during meetings?
But that is only if they happen peacefully.
Or when they are dull, if you really insist on calling it like that.
Other than that, any somewhat relaxing location is great: parks, quiet rooms, cozy corners, and so on.
But even public transport is a paradise for daydreamers like me.
Tip #2: Make boring moments useful
Waiting in line is definitely not my favorite activity.
But I experienced that these moments are, in fact, ideal to have a quick daydream.
Escaping the queue in my head, even for a minute, can feel like a holiday.
Tip #3: Daydream instead of scroll
You can either wait until you catch yourself daydreaming. Or you can make it a healthy habit.
I must admit that I haven’t put it on my agenda yet, but since this is doing me good, I do it more during my breaks.
Tip #4: Write the Eureka’s down
Thoughts come and go. All day long.
And if you don’t jot down the best ones, they will be gone forever.
You can keep a notebook to store the brilliant idea from your daydreaming sessions.
But… I dream enough during the night
When I wake up in the morning, I seldom remember my dreams.
Sometimes there are flashes of a weird story that entertained my brain while I was sleeping.
But I have also experienced the power of daydreaming.
Those things are not the same.
Summary for daydreaming newbies
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a reboot.
But before I stare out of my window, I want to share the key takeaways:
- Some of the greatest ideas in history popped up in daydreams.
- Next time you catch yourself zoning out, remember you’re not wasting your time.
- Daydreams can inspire, give energy, and even solve some problems.
- It only takes a few minutes and it is therefore an ideal activity for breaks or boring moments.
Happy daydreaming all your way to the top…
Or at least, one step closer to feeling the power of doing nothing.
