OK I lied. It has a little to do with the coffee, because, let’s face it, it always has something to do with the coffee.
But have you ever wondered where the image of the writer sitting in the middle of a busy cafe typing madly at his or her laptop or scribbling words indecipherable to others originated from?
Enter circa England around 500 years ago, where the ‘done thing to do’ was to consume alcohol all day – mostly because the water was undrinkable (valid excuse) – before the drink of choice became coffee (oh and tea “would you like some tea and scones?”), which, being a stimulant instead of a depressant, induced more ideas and often better ones.
“English coffeehouse was crucial to the development and spread of one of the great intellectual flowerings of the last 500 years, what we now call the Enlightenment.” Steven Johnson – ‘Where good ideas come from.’ (Tedx Talk)
It became a period of greater intellect, of stimulated activity, (just one of many reasons to drink coffee – not knocking alcohol either by the way), and quite possibly the beginning of the whole ‘writer sits in coffee shop and pens his/her greatest work’ ideal comes from. And though you may just consider it a cliche, there is a greater reason for it.
You see, athough I will praise coffee highly any day of the week (including Coffee Martini’s), it is the ‘outside world’ aspect of the cafe or coffee house that is the prime factor here – or stimulant den as some may call it.
Alright, I doubt anyone calls it that, but you get my drift.
I’m talking about a place where you can observe the world around you AND interact with it. Far too often we get stuck in our own little offices, or secluded spaces, drilling our mind for inspiration when all we really need is a new perspective.
And whether you’re a writer, an artist or an entrepreneur (or all three or any combination of) taking yourself out of your usual ‘space’ may be the best thing you can do for your creativity. And dare I say, sanity.
Oh, and business.
“But the other thing that makes the coffeehouse important is the architecture of the space. It was a space where people would get together from different backgrounds, different fields of expertise, and share. It was a space, as Matt Ridley talked about, where ideas could have sex. This was their conjugal bed, in a sense — ideas would get together there. And an astonishing number of innovations from this period have a coffeehouse somewhere in their story.” Steven Johnson – ‘Where good ideas come from.’ (Tedx Talk)
So, at some point in the very near future (if not now), I want you to go out and find a public place. Maybe you choose to sit in your favourite cafe or maybe you find somewhere completely new. Just somewhere that arouses all of your senses (coffee optional), somewhere things are happening. Somewhere you can be stimulated.
And if you’re predisposed to dressing up and/or roleplay, you may wish to don a monocle, tweed jacket and even a pipe (just for effect) – or you may just go incognito – but lets pretend you’re an investigator (or maybe a spy…hmm) and start to really scope out the scene. Start to see what’s happening around you, pay close attention to the world you find yourself in; the sights; the smells; the tastes even (I’m not saying you should lick the windows, unless of course that’s your thing).
Notice the people; the way someone uses their body language when talking. Are they angry or sad? Notice the little details like what salt and pepper shaker might be on the table; if there is a tip jar; how people stayed in line waiting to be served.
Sometimes when you become so damn absorbed in the things that ‘need to be done,’ you forget that the big bad world out there really does have everything you need, if you just slow down and take a moment to look, or a second to get swept up in it all. It seems simple enough but sometimes we do go about our lives and stop noticing the little things, walk around with blinkers on, missing the way light and dark dances off the trees or the writing on the wall.
When you begin to see these things, slow down. You can gather these. Go for a walk. Notice what you see; what you hear; the people; and what they do and how; everything. Try it.
And don’t forget to interact, engage with the people around you. Learn their stories and share your own. Buy a stranger a coffee (I take long black with a splash of cold milk) and start a conversation.
You never know what might trigger the greatest idea of your life.
“Carry a pencil nub and a notepad, or lug that laptop to the corner tavern or coffee shop and choose a ‘game piece.’ Write a thumbnail sketch about that figure, describing his appearance, mimicking his speech pattern, or making mention of his body movements. What is your subject eating or drinking? What song does he play on the jukebox.” – Wayne Allen Sallee – Mirror, Mirror – from: On Writing Horror.
Even if your business is not within the creative sector; more often than not there are things within the creative arts that may trigger emotions, experiences and stories within.
If you feel like you’ve lost your inspiration; go put on your favourite record, movie, or go and see an exhibit or some street art. Just because you’re in business doesn’t mean you can’t explore elsewhere. For example, what is the theme song of your business? It may be the same one you would choose for yourself or another. Go ahead and find it. You could also try this with films and images. Don’t limit yourself. Always be exploring things you love; rekindling those old passions; reminding yourself why you are on this journey.
And checking out what is going on around you.
Inspiration is everywhere if you know where to look.
Oh, and so is coffee. So no excuses.