How to Have Good Ideas Someplace Besides the Shower

‍

The water was lukewarm, which was fine at first, but then I needed to turn it up. 

‍

I pushed the handle to the left, just a millimeter too far. Now it was too hot, at least for now.

‍

I tapped it back to the right. There! Perfect!

‍

Started taking a lovely shower. Was thinking the water pressure might be slowing down, and I wonder if I should take off the thingy and clear it at the filter. 

‍

But still, it was nice. Real nice. 

‍

Which shampoo did Cheri say not to use? I think it’s that one. I take the other one and get the job done in seconds. I’m mostly bald, so it’s always seconds.

‍

Now for the soap. I make a lather and get to work. 

‍

I’m minding my own business, then…Eureka! 

‍

I just solved a problem in the book I’m working on for a client. It simply came to me. I was struggling all morning with the dang thing until my timer went off. 

‍

Then I went to the gym.

‍

Then I came home, chatted with my wife while she ate oatmeal, waiting for the bathroom to be free of my teenager, and then started my morning hygiene routine. 

‍

That’s how I got here with this incredible idea that feels like it was given to me from God in the shower. Does He talk to naked people? 

‍

So what happened? This is not the first time I’ve experienced this. And I’ve heard about it from thinkers on thinking. But I need to know why this kind of thing works. 

‍

Why couldn’t I be creative earlier when I was trying so hard? 

‍

Disclaimer: I do believe in miracles, and I do believe the Holy Spirit speaks today. But in this case, if God was talking, He was talking through the natural neurological processes. 

‍

Now I, who am not a neuroscientist, but who has been living with one of these contraptions—a brain—for 52 years, will let you in on the latest research on the subject. 

‍

It’s perfectly natural that my problem was solved in the shower. 

‍

And it’s perfectly natural that I couldn’t solve it in task mode. 

‍

And it’s perfectly likely to happen a million more times in my life. 

‍

And there is a way to do the same thing, even when you don’t have time to get wet. 

So what actually happened in the shower?

And when I look into the research, what I find makes sense.

There is something called the executive control network. 

Earlier that morning, when I was trying to solve the problem, my executive control network was running the show. That's the part of the brain responsible for:

focus

planning

error-checking

and judgment. 

It's essential for finishing work. 

But when it dominates too long, it suppresses creative insight.

I wasn't doing anything wrong. I was just in the wrong mode.

Then I stepped into the shower. Several things changed at once: 

physical safety

warmth

repetitive motion 

no audience

no output pressure. 

These cues told my nervous system something important: "You are safe. Nothing is required."

That's when my brain shifted into what is called the default mode network. 

This is the part of the brain that integrates memory, emotion, and meaning. It connects distant ideas. It works in metaphors and patterns. 

And it operates below conscious awareness. Tricky! 

This network is most active during walking, showering, daydreaming, prayer, rest, and boredom. This is where insight hangs out, just waiting to surface when you’re wet and don’t have a pen handy.

The problem I couldn't solve earlier? I didn't stop thinking about it. I just stopped forcing it. 

The earlier effort loaded the problem into my brain. The shower gave it space to recombine freely.

That's why insight often feels like it came from nowhere. It didn't. It came from integration.

And then…!

And when the pieces finally aligned, another network kicked in, the salience network, and flagged the solution: "This matters." 

It pulled the insight into awareness with a jolt.

That's the "Eureka."

Why it felt like a gift

Insight arrives fully formed. There's no visible process. No step-by-step reasoning. No sense of effort. The brain delivers the solution whole.

That's why people across cultures describe creativity as inspiration, illumination, revelation, gift. It feels like reception, not manufacture.

Which brings me back to where I started. Does God talk to naked people?

I think He does. And sometimes He talks through the very neurological processes He designed.

I’m not decoding the mystery of the Holy Spirit. He’s the only one who truly knows how He does this, but I imagine He works with our mental processes on some level. What do you think? 

‍

One way to access this state on purpose

You don't have to wait for the shower. But you do have to stop forcing it.

Here's the rhythm:

1. Load the problem, then stop touching it.

Creativity needs material before it needs space. Work hard for a defined block. Name the problem clearly. Then stop mid-thought on purpose. Don't finish the sentence. Don't solve it. 

Leave your brain something unfinished to integrate.

2. Change context completely.

Insight requires a context switch, not more time. Walk. Shower. Do yard work. Wash dishes. Drive without audio. Light exercise works. Scrolling doesn't. Podcasts don't. The key is low demand, not stimulation.

3. Remove the audience from your mind.

Creativity dies under surveillance (sorry performers!), even self-surveillance. Before stepping away, say to yourself: "No one will see this yet." That single permission dramatically lowers self-monitoring.

4. Let boredom happen.

This is crucial. Do not fill the space. Do not check anything. Do not optimize the moment. Do not entertain yourself. Boredom is the doorway. Most people turn back here.

5. Notice, but please don't chase.

When something appears, don't analyze it yet. Don't test it. Don't judge it. Don't try to improve it. Just note it. The salience network has already done the hard work.

6. Capture immediately, then return to control.

Once insight appears, write it down quickly. Use rough language. No polishing. Then later, return to editing, structuring, refining. Insight and execution are different phases.

‍

The repeatable rhythm

The rhythm is:

• Engage (focus, effort, loading)
• Release (silence, safety, boredom)
• Receive (insight, clarity)
• Shape (craft, editing, discipline)

Most writers get stuck in step one or try to jump straight to step four.

If you want more insight, schedule less noise. Protect boredom. Stop reacting publicly. Let work ripen unseen.

‍

Jeff 

‍