The Unconscious Mind: A Great Decision Maker – New York Times

February 27, 2006 by  

I’m happy when I’m productive but I get frustrated that I can’t be
creative on a more regular basis. You could put a gun to my head but it
would not get a good idea produced. So I’ve learned to be more aware of
my personal creative process. I get my best ideas: in the shower, while
rowing, during Sunday a.m. long drives when its sunny, when I wake up.
I went through a lot of head-banging anguish before I accepted it. Then
I had to get really diligent about taking notes. My best ideas can be
like dreams…they can fade fast if I don’t get them down.

Well..I’m happy to read that according to a recent study this is
exactly how it should be! If you are interested in creativity and ideas
you will like this NYT ($) article:

The Unconscious Mind: A Great Decision Maker
By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: February 21, 2006 

Snap judgments about people and places can be remarkably
accurate, and there is no substitute for simple logic and reflection in
determining questions like which alarm clock or cellphone is the best
value.

But many more important decisions — choosing the right apartment,
the optimal house, the best vacation — turn on such a bewildering swarm
of facts that people often throw up their hands and put the whole thing
temporarily out of mind. And new research suggests that this may be a
rewarding strategy.

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Filed under: career, Consciousness, going solo
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