“Be quiet! I’m trying to think.”
by Jeff Whitaker of Giving Voice to Vision
Photo from Photoxpress
Those of us who spend a lot of time in the business of creativity know the feeling. You need to come up with something. But you’re just not ‘feeling it’. Good news. I may be able to help you spark a creative idea or two.
We’ve all been told at one time or another, “Be quiet! I’m trying to think.” Well, it could be that may not be the best admonishment to get the creative juices flowing. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research finds that when you compare next to no noise (or silence) to moderate levels of ambient noise, turns out moderate noise wins out as a better environment in which to create.
Apparently it works this way. Moderate background noise (70 decibels) creates enough of a distraction to push people to think more creatively where as complete silent can have the opposite effect. The researchers say a relatively noisy environment like a cafe or coffee shop may actually trigger the brain to think abstractly and in turn generate creative ideas. (I’m sure the caffeine doesn’t hurt.)
The study also cautions that excessive noise like a jackhammer isn’t the answer either. Too much noise really does make it hard to think. Guess its true that as with many other aspects of life, moderation is the key, literally.
So, the next time your project calls for a jolt of creativity, excuse yourself and head to the nearest coffee house. Who knows what you’ll come up with.
What are some of your best ideas for sparking creativity and do you agree or disagree with the findings of this study?
I am the Pastor of Programming and Media at Shore Fellowship Church, one of the largest churches in Southern New Jersey and one of the fastest growing churches in the nation.
Moment Matters 
I love this one. I have always noticed that I come up with the best ideas in not necessarily the quietest of places. There is always some logic to some seemingly disorder. Beautiful post. My Sweet September wishes for you.
I turn on pandora and leave it on the the background while I work! If it is drawin/painting anything with words is fine, but if I am doing creative writing (writing next years marine science puppet show) then I need music without words (love listening to classical or yoga-inspired pandora music stations!)
I like to listen to the radio when I am writing. It helps get those creative juices flowing. Great post! 🙂
I am flexible in that regard. I guess I’m just creative most of the time. 🙂
Thanks for the post.
I agree that noise make it more difficult to think .. except if it’s my favorite music. Work best with music on … but if there is stress around me I can live without it. And I don’t think it has to silent when we are creative – so long it’s a sound that has the same rhythm as our heart.
Depends on the distraction and “who” it is. Trying to work when there are children consistently interrupting can be a huge distraction. Or a spouse and sometimes a coffee house is a nice way to be outside of the house AND get things done.
Music is always a creative outlet for me. It also helps me focus at work and I tend to get more done. I had a boss years ago who had a white noise fan installed at work and he couldn’t focus without it and I couldn’t focus unless I had light music playing in the background. We had to compromise 🙂
Coffee shops are outstanding little gems of inspiration. Music, people, random encounters to witness. I enjoy people watching there, and letting the ideas come to me, literally!
nice post.. I’ll better try that one!
Jeff, nicely done! I agree for the most part. Sometimes, for me, I do need totally quiet in order to focus effectively on a project of some sort. For the most part, though, I almost always have something going in the background unless I’m on the phone and even then it may be running quietly. BTW, looks like you are at a great church! My dad is a retired Presebyterian minister after well over 60 years!
Thanks to everyone for their comments. I appreciate the folks here at Moment Matters for giving me a platform to share some of my thoughts.
So far, my number one spot for ideas?
The shower.
Im hoping a waterfall might be even more inspiring, but every last one of my best ideas has been had in the shower. Needless to say, causes problems for others & wasnt much help at work…
You’re right! But music without words works best for me…classical, jazz, new age; just depends on the project really! Even having a fan going is better than no noise at all. But my favorite is the coffee shop too. Thanks for the good word!