A Sketchy Idea

I have to think through problems at work pretty frequently. Sometimes they’re complicated, sometimes they’re simple. I find that drawing a quick sketch can be enormously helpful for clarifying the issue and framing up good solutions.

A lot of people would say, “Oh, yes! Visualizing the problem accurately through the use of diagrams is a tried and true method of arriving at solutions.”

Yes, but what if it isn’t only about the visual qualities of the diagram? What if it’s the physical act of drawing the diagram? It’s a little hard to tease apart, perhaps, but there are psychologists (whose work I don’t have time to read) who are developing theories of embodied cognition: a fancy way of saying that your physical, non-brain body parts are also part of the thinking process.

Ever feel like you need to get up and clear your head? Maybe you go for a walk, or to lunch?

Ever feel like you can’t get at the details of a problem without picking something up and fidgeting with it?

Ever have a great idea while doing dishes, taking a shower, mowing the lawn, or doing something with your body besides sitting at a desk thinking about the problem?