Daniel Fortune

In our first post in this COD series, I shared one of the most powerful resources I’ve discovered/used to go from being at a creative deficit to being able to be creative on demand.

While this 2nd post in the series can be a stand alone post, I HIGHLY recommend that you read part 1 (Link will open in new tab so you can come right back) before reading this post.

If you read part 1, but forgot to take the FREE chronotype quiz, you can do that HERE (It only takes a couple minutes). Let me know in the comments below what chronotype you are (I’m a Wolf).

Here in Part 2 of our COD series, I will be outlining a simple process with exercises and techniques you can use to channel your inner genius and manufacture creativy on demand.

Rather than being the mystical creature we tend to view it as, creative genius is far more common than we tend to believe.

The Genius Next Door: The Principle of Multiples

Our story starts back in 1922, when a research paper was published called, Are Inventions Inevitable? A Note on Social Evolution. In their paper, sociologists – William Ogburn and Dorothy Thomas document how the apparent strokes of genius that led to some of the greatest inventions didn’t happen in seclusion, but occured when a cluster of people had the same insight independent of one another.

“It is an interesting phenomenon… that many inventions have been made two or more times by different inventors, each working without knowledge of the others research.”

-William Ogburn & Dorothy Thomas, “Are Inventions Inevitable? A Note on Social Evolution

In their paper, the two sociologist’s outline a compelling case that these strokes of genius don’t happen in a vacuum. Rather, there’s a social element to it, and even though, these inventors didn’t appear to have direct knowledge of what one another was working on, their ideas seemed to be being pulled from an evolutionary “ether” that inspired and impressed the same idea on the hearts and mind of multiple candidates for the task.

Since 1922, the social and evolutionary component to how these strokes of genius or these divine sparks of creativity occur has been studied at length, and this phenomenon is referred to in scientific/creative circles as the Principle of Multiples.

Pulling From The Ether: The Divine Spark of Creativity

In a recent post about Einstein’s Day Dream, I talked about harnessing the power of our imagination to use creative visualization to manifest our desires. As stated in that post, this isn’t magic… it’s science!

In modern quantum theory, we’re surrounded by an invisible field (the ether) that, even though, it seems like blank space, it isn’t. This field has information embedded in its fabric and is where all potentiality and possibility resides.

In our modern understanding, all matter is pulled from the ether (field of possibility and potentiality). Why does this matter? In creative terms, at any moment, we can access or pull from the ether and begin fanning the flames of the divine spark of creativity.

As hard as it may be to imagine, our divine sparks of creativity aren’t random. They already exist in the ether/quantum field where all the infinite variations of possible and potential creative outcomes are stored.

If this be true, and modern science affirms it, this means it’s possible for us to tap into the ether (quantum field) and draw creative inspiration whenever we like. Rather than, waiting for inspiration to hit us, we can aid nature along.

A Relaxed Mind Is A Creative Mind

Many people stifle the flames of creativity without knowing it. It’s too common for people to believe that in order for them to generate creative ideas, they most focus harder. The science actually proves the opposite is true. A relaxed mind is a creative one.

In his book, The Power of When, Dr. Breus shares the science of how this is true. Nothing kills creativity quicker than an over-active brain racking itself for ideas just to come up empty, feeling anxious, and insecure.

In chapter 12 of his book, the chapter on Creativity, Dr. Breus goes into the hard science around when and where ideas begin brewing. He outlines the steps we need to take to get in sync with our creative “Connectivity Rhythm.”

“Creativity starts in the pre-frontal cortex, right before you wake up and in the first hour of the day. A neurological story is under way, with patways and connections lighting up across hemispheres.”

-Michael Breus, PhD, The Power of When, Pg. 256

In my personal practice, I’ve learned to keep a journal and a pen by my beside so when I wake up in the morning, I can capture my thoughts. In doing so, I’d say around 80% of the time, I’m able to capture valuable creative insights.

In his chapter on creativity, Dr. Breus presents another big opportunity for us to brainstorm and capture “lightning” in a bottle. He shares how to get in sync with the “Distraction Rhythm.”

A Distracted Mind is A Creative One

As stated earlier, while it’s common to think that a rigid/focused mind is a hotbed for creative output, the opposite is actually true.

Which, considering quantum theory and the possibility field (Ether) where all creative potential is already stored, it would make sense that a soft, impressionable mind that’s open to creative suggestion (“distraction”) whould be optimal for receiving a creative “download from the Ether.”

Dr. Breus says this about the Disraction Rhythm…

“When you’re fatiqued, cognitively dull, and incapable of concies thought, ideas slip in.”

-Michael Breus, PhD, The Power of When, Pg. 256

Ride Your Rhythms…

The Connectiviy Rhythm: Based on your personal chronotype, you learn when the two halves of your brain are active and talking with each other so you can receive a download of ideas.

The Distraction Rhythm: Using that window of time that you’re starting to feel a little bit tired and distracted to capture what ideas pop in your head unexpectedly.

In our 3rd Post in our Creativity on Demand (COD) Series, we will talk about the other two Creativity Rhymths we can get in sync with to channel our inner genius and maximize our creative output.

Make sure to subscribe to receive Part 3 as soon as it’s posted. I look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions or content recommendations/constructive feedback, please feel free to reach out to me at info@danielfortune.blog.