Photo used under Creative Commons from FaceMePLS

Back in the days of studying for classes – a time that I am glad is over – I remember having a few select spots that were conducive to studying. Getting your brain in a to start  thinking in a brilliant state can have a lot to do with being surrounded by something new, something different. Great study locations for me were often characterized by non-distracting, isolation or solitdue, open space.

The thing is, once you get used to your work location you tend to follow the same mindframe, which is perfect in terms of sheer work output. But as for creativity this can be a brick wall that blocks you from strokes of genius.

A change in venue may help your brain think more actively, more freshly.

Photo used under Creative Commons from Chris&Oli

I remember when my brain often stalled during a study session, without hesistation I would pack up my stuff and nomadically head over to another spot. I did this fairly often, and discovered some awesome study places. Not just places, but specific times that these places were just zen for getting work done.

Something happens when you are mobile. You are suddenly more open-minded.

You experience and observe new situations, enivoronments, people and interactions. You step out a little from comfortable bubble, and displace your routine that has become a convenience. Perhaps you will even meet new people and interactions. The world becomes more present and you realize there are more stories and ideas all around you.

This got me thinking of what it is to be mobile. America, with it’s 60M personal vehicle fleet, could be seen as mobile. But is sitting hours in traffic expanding your mind? Fighting for taxi cabs on a street flooded pedestrians? Perhaps we are not as mobile as we think. Perhaps being mobile means so much more than being able to get transported from point A to point B in the quickest time possible, and whenever we want to.

Being mobile means you observe the journey.

Photo used under Creative Commons from Lieven SOETE

We often miss the critical element of steady observation. For me, I could step outside a lot more. There’s people to meet, places to see, stories to hear.