when does the idea fairy like to visit you?

Richard Bach, author of the metaphysical classics, Jonathon Livingston Seagull and Bridge Across Forever, noticed that the Idea Fairy came to him when he was gardening, or flying in a plane. That’s when he’d get his storyline ideas and life solutions.

Call it what you want: the zone, the flow, the magical gap, the illuminating silence...there is a place in space and time where we tend to think and feel most clearly. And in that place, ahaa’s, creative genius, strategies, and revelations tend to flow our way.

Notice when and where the Idea Fairy likes to visit you. Notice how solutions enter your being. Maybe it’s when you’re talking to a particular friend or associate (interaction). When you're cruising down the highway or walking to work (movement). Or in the bathtub or washing the dishes (water). Some people’s idea Fairies like to show up after a good meal or great sex, first thing in the morning, or just as they’re drifting off to sleep.

The Idea Fairy can be slightly unpredictable. She won’t always show up when you’re in the zone. But she really appreciates being invited.

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posted 6 Apr 09 in: creativity + art + design articles   ·   tags:   ·   12 comments

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Reminds me of a Talk for the author Elizabeth Gilbert titled "A different way to think about creative genius"
You can find it in the following link

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html


Ashwag
6 Apr 09
 
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I love the image in my head: Idea Fairy! She's a whole different person than a muse, or a mentor even . . . thanks Danielle! Love the whole sense of fun and play and lightness of being . . . .


jo martin
6 Apr 09
 
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My Idea Fairy visits me when I'm in the shower, when I'm gardening, and when I take a walk sans kids. Interestingly, they're all activities that don't allow multi-tasking. Do you think I should take a hint, and just focus on one task at a time?!


kirwin
6 Apr 09
 
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    it reminds me of what Deepak Chopra says about "The Gap" - that Idea Fairy zone where she arrives -- and you need to make room for Gap time...noodle, meander, single task.


    Danielle LaPorte
    6 Apr 09
     
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Great post. I have a book i created called the Idea Factory- i document all of my ideas there. The fairy visits me when i go for walks, when i'm in the shower, while flipping through magazines at Magazine counters, while looking at road signs and reading them wrong etc........i am fortunate to be visited by the muse often!


Violette
6 Apr 09
 
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Great thought.

When one becomes aware of the Idea Fairy's timing and when she presents herself most often, one's perception during those moments will be far more open and inviting. Having said that, the Idea Fairy will bring forth stronger and more frequent AHA! moments because of greater awareness during those moments the Idea Fairy visits most.

This post does a beautiful job illustrating the importance of awareness.


Menehune
6 Apr 09
 
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I rely on the shower as well to get good ideas, but I also find they hit me often when I do cardio at the gym IF I don't read a magazine, or watch the televisions. Performing any repetitive motion that my body knows well--shower, mowing, exercise, driving--always places me in the most receptive state for new ideas. Nice post.


Christopher Laney
7 Apr 09
 
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I used to have a boss that shared his "shower thoughts" with me first thing when he came in to the office. Unfortunately, this always had me visualizing that which I did not want to visualize!

My ideas come to me at 3 AM...when husband, cats and daughter are cozy, quiet and the world is still and my computer is receptive.


Tanya
8 Apr 09
 
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Idea Fairy! I like it. On my writing blog I say fairies are my muses: They drink lavender nectar and dash through waterfalls whenever they are not leading me on some wild word journey.


Lindsay Oberst
25 Jan 10
 
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