Mind Candy

Monday, April 7, 2008 | 1 p.m.

I have been in a creative slump for the past several weeks. Every word I write feels like labor. I struggle to find new ideas to emerge. This is not the norm. I guess the stress of business and the final push to finish my recent book has taken me to this place. I finally hit the wall. I needed a break from spontaneous creativity–besides, it wasn’t happening anyway. But I had deadlines looming and I had used up my idea backlog.

So, I read a novel! It was entitled, “Dice Angel” written by my friend Brian Rouff, and it was excellent. Although I read many books, they are mostly business books–rarely do I read anything fictional.

In Brian’s book, a guy, down on his luck turns to the “Dice Angel” to help him win at craps. He needs the money to save his career and his future. I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed it immensely but I got something unexpected from reading it. Something exciting happened. Reading the book helped me break out of my slump! The more I retreated from my day to day life into the book, the more my creative juices flowed again. Ideas jumped out to me; ideas about things I could do at the office, things I could write about, and new avenues to pursue. Retreating from the day to day activities rejuvenated me. I took in a little “mind candy” and it worked.

I’ve always felt guilty in the past reading books or watching television when I could be working or reading something that would help me with my business. Friends and family have told me for years to slow down, take some time for myself. But I don’t listen. I have written several times that life is short and we should enjoy the journey. I should follow my own advice.

I do, however, believe in self-reflection and I spend time reflecting every day. Most of my creativity has been born during this reflective time. I have used reflection to help me break previous slumps, but reflecting didn’t work this time. This dose of “mind candy” was even more powerful than reflection.

My brother is the one who coined the phrase “mind candy” to me. He is a successful attorney in Sacramento and once told me that when work was stressful, he would take off and go see a movie–and that one small thing helped refresh him and readied him to face his challenges. He advised me that “mind candy,” in moderation, is good for you.

Sometimes people give you great advice but you don’t hear it. One needs to be open to possibilities. I’m grateful that I was open when Brian gave me a copy of his book.

I’d like to hear from you:

• Have you partaken of any “mind candy” lately?

• Do you have any other techniques to break through the wall?

Until next time …

Craig

P.S. I’ve just purchased Brian’s second book, “Money Shot” for my next dose of “mind candy.”