“Creativity is not a gift; it’s a mindset that you practice.” (Natasha Tsakos)
Image caption: A hand reaches toward a shelf of library books, choosing one at random as a spark for new inspiration.
Quick Summary
Picking a random book from a library shelf interrupts routine thinking and opens the door to new creative insights.
- Our brains favor routine as a survival mechanism.
- Exposure to others’ creativity helps expand our own.
- Librarians curate shelves full of quality choices.
- Choosing at random reduces overthinking.
- Libraries offer quiet spaces that encourage discovery.
The Lizard Brain and Routine
Picking a random book off a library shelf opens our brains to a potential chink of creative light, one that could never get through under our normal day-to-day routine. In some ways, our lizard brains are trying to protect us from dangers that no longer exist. Humans generally value routine and monotony because when something changes, it’s easier to spot it and spot it quickly. That was great when there was a chance that a saber-tooth tiger could pounce out of nowhere and have us for lunch. Such dangers no longer exist in most societies today.
But we are left with the legacy of millennia of fear, still tied to methods of thinking and acting that are no longer relevant. You might recognize this as “sticking with what we know,” but the two are intimately intertwined.
Exposure to Others’ Creativity
“The more we expose ourselves to the creativity of others, the more creative we become.”
The problem is that if we open our senses to experience how others see the world, we can all too quickly become bogged with overthinking how we should do that. Excessive thought usually results in us getting bogged down, with our brains trying to shut down over expenditure of limited cognitive resources. In other words, the lizard brain gets in the way.
Trust the Choices of Librarians
There are literally millions of books available worldwide written in all of the main language families. There is no way we could ever even find the time to look at all the covers, never mind read a few pages of what’s inside.
This is where librarians come to the rescue. Their job is to curate all of the titles available down to the ones they feel are the best examples of their kind. This is true of art books, gardening books, and cookery books; every shelf in a library is replete with high-quality options in that genre.
Close Your Eyes and Pick One
While there is no doubt that any book has the power to open your eyes to new concepts, a simple way to ensure a good outcome is to pick a shelf or section that you think has possibilities. If you’re experienced in photography, a shelf full of art masters will probably open your eyes. If you’re into cooking, a gardening section might surprise you with new produce possibilities. If you’re into crocheting, then a shelf full of fashion books could prompt you to look at new color possibilities.
At this point, many of you are already thinking, “but I don’t have the time.” You’d be surprised at how often this is not as true as our stressed brains would have us think. You already take breaks during the day, so it’s easy to take that break in your local library. All libraries have comfortable seating and reading areas, and some even have coffee available to help you relax into your newfound inspiration.
Try This Today
Next time you’re in the library, find a shelf that sparks some interest, close your eyes, and pull a book at random. Let the choice surprise you.
Key Takeaways
- The lizard brain favors routine for survival, but it limits creativity.
- Exposure to others’ creativity expands our own thinking.
- Librarians curate shelves full of strong choices.
- Random selection reduces overthinking and sparks discovery.
Libraries are ideal places to recharge and find inspiration.
Written by Dave Mac Cathain, The Creative Guide
Read more reflections like this on The Creative Guide’s Thinking Blog
Other Blogs: Seeing Blog | Observations Blog
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