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Your Turn: Where do you find ‘AHA!’ moments

Jun 30
Posted by DaveOlson in Personal Development

If insight and inspiration are keys to shifting dimensions, how do you get them?

What set’s you up for that “aha!” moment?

That lightbulb moment when something just clicks. You go from confusion to absolute clarity in a nanosecond.

I find that I get more ‘aha’ moments when I hang around with creative people, or read a stimulating book. Usually fiction!

What kind of environment produces those moments for you?

What do you do to get a moment of insight?

When you are trying to shift your mindset, what do you do?

Let’s talk about it and see what happens! I want to know what you think… and how.

To get us started I want to ask Adam, Aaron, Dawud, Tammy, Vivienne and Jonathan to share how it works for them.

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  • http://scribblesonthescreen.wordpress.com Amber Erin

    I get them when ever I am no longer able to do something about a problem. Like as soon as I trun in an essay, I know exactly how the last sentence should have read to make it a killer essay.

  • DaveOlson

    Amber Erin… Thanks for stopping in a joining the conversation. You’re always welcome here.

    It’s almost funny sad how that works isn’t it. When you walk away from a conversation then you think of what you should have said. That’s why I’m glad for the edit button on my blog. :smile:

  • http://snoskred.blogspot.com Snoskred

    Odd as it may sound, my a-ha moments always turn up when I get in the shower. I like to put a bit of peppermint essential oil in there and let the hot water run for a moment, it’s an aromatherapy thing, try it sometime! Peppermint wakes up the mind. When I’m in the shower is probably the only time during the day when I’m not distracted by other stuff, I can just *be* and that is how those a-ha thoughts arrive for me.

    I guess it’s different for everyone though.

    Snoskred
    http://snoskred.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.versacreations.net Vivienne Quek

    1) “Aha” moments can come any time. There are small “aha” and big “aha”. The small aha made me understand something new but not quite enough to actually do anything about them. An accumulative of such small “aha” usually results in a big “aha”.

    2) Be with positive-minded, forward-looking and creative-thinking people made me feel good, hopeful and fearless. With them, the world is myoyster and that shining pearl is always somewhere to be found. I read self-growth books of any sort too. The latest read is Harv Eker’s Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. He taught me that I’m bigger than my problem. And Anthony Robbins’ advice of spending 80% of my time on solution and 20% on problem works for me. Another option I like is attending seminars, I found Money & You, Excellerated Business School (BSE)for Entrepreneurs, National Achiever Congress helpful in both personal and corporate growth. The 8-day boot camp BSE where we started our day from 7am until midnight made me a lot more relaxed.

    3) I don’t practice affirmation or manifestation on a daily basis. I just keep reminding myself like “I’m bigger than my problem” and do my best to talk positive manner. I learn that thoughts become words, words become action and action become habit. I haven’t master not thinking negatively, so I practice by not using words that make me feel lousy. I banned “try” rather successfully, I’ll struggling with “but” and now is thinking what to do with “should”

  • http://www.digital-folders.com/betterliving Toze

    I agree with Amber… lot’s of “aha” moments come after the point when you can’t do anything about something. It’s depressing…
    But a nice walk, alone with my camera and music player has been working for me to get “aha” moments that still matter.

  • http://www.todayisthatday.com/blog/the-agony-of-victory-personal-development-breaking-point/ Aaron M. Potts

    My top 2 things have both already been mentioned!

    The first one is just letting it come to me. After I stew on something forever, trying to force out an answer, I’ll just let it go and wait. Eventually – usually in the shower or when I’m out for a walk – an “ah-ha” moment will just come to me completely unbidden, in which case I either quickly dry off, or I run home to take action on it! :grin:

    The second method is hanging around people who have an opinion that I value. They have the ability to see my issues from a point of view that I could not possibly have, and often by putting my question out there for other people, they come up with a great solution that I would never have seen. Afterwards, I’m always thinking, “Wow, what a great idea! Why didn’t *I* think of that???” :wink:

  • DaveOlson

    Snoskred… hey I like the peppermint idea. I’m going to have to try it. Thanks for stopping in and joining the conversation. Keep coming back for more.

    Vivienne… I don’t know where you find the time to go to so many seminars but they can really be helpful can’t they. I think you “should” “try” harder. :grin:

    Toze… welcome to my place and thanks for joining in. A nice walk can be really helpful in eliminating the distractions that use up important brain power. Are you a photographer or is that just part of the process?

    Aaron… someone needs to invent a waterproof iPhone so you can do something with your ideas while you are in the shower. :smile: Do you have mastermind group or something like that to rely on for those opinions?

  • http://www.todayisthatday.com/blog/the-agony-of-victory-personal-development-breaking-point/ Aaron M. Potts

    Dave,

    I do have a mastermind group, and I turn to them frequently. We have a conference call every Monday night. However, I also “indirectly” turn to my online network of bloggers, as their opinions and ideas often push me in the right direction.

    I monitor A LOT of RSS feeds (too many), but I’ve got you, Lyman Reed, Edward Mills, Rick Cockrum, Steve Olson, and about a dozen others in what I call my “A-List”. No matter what happens, I read every post from my A-List folks every day.

    Even if you guys don’t write some mind-blowing piece of information that totally rocks my world, sometimes it is something as simple as your unique point of view or even a reminder of something that I already know that pushes me in the right direction.

    In that regard, I view blogging (as it presently is) as very valuable. But that’s not to say that I am not interested in taking things to the next level through the projects that I’ve been talking about over at my site! :grin:

  • DaveOlson

    Aaron…

    if you guys don’t write some mind-blowing piece of information that totally rocks my world

    Uhh what do you mean? :smile: I think the project your working on is pretty cool too. Looking forward to seeing it’s progress.

  • http://www.digital-folders.com/betterliving Toze

    Dave,

    Photography for me is a hobby, but also more than that. It’s a passion that helps me relax and clear my mind. A sort of “escape focus” that besides expanding my creativity helps me in thinking.

  • DaveOlson

    Toze… cool :cool: I look forward to seeing some of your work sometime.

  • http://www.versacreations.net Vivienne Quek

    Actually, Dave, I wish I have 25 hours a day. I was again taught this: If it is indeed important, find time even if you have no time”. It’s about time management and giving up something less important.

    BTW, your banner is “cooler” now. :)

  • http://laurenmarie.net/ LaurenMarie

    I am always excited to discuss my ideas with others and if we can get going on a subject, an aha moment usually occurs. I am so blessed to have a husband that is also a graphic designer and we often talk about projects and creative areas we’re struggling in and give each other ideas and design concepts.

    Aha moments also like to occur in the middle of the night for me. A bummer, because then I’m up for an hour or two thinking about it! But a real upper, too, because “Aha! I’ve got it!”

    They also occur when I’m relaxed and not really thinking about a problem (like in the shower, as someone mentioned), or just casually pondering it, not looking for an answer. Sometimes when I’m at the gym I’ll have them, too, especially during yoga classes it seems :)

    I love that feeling of everything clicking into place — it’s almost audible! Like putting together a puzzle and fitting that last piece in to make the whole picture.

  • http://lenski.com Tammy Lenski

    Hey there, Dave! I love your question.

    My aha moments come during and from: My morning runs, kayaking, hiking…anything that takes me out into nature and allows me to free associate. They also come during my morning quiet time (I rise daily at 4 a.m. and sit on my porch for an hour with my coffee mug and watch the sun rise). They also come when I read blogs like yours and Liz’s, where good questions help my brain kick into gear. And they come from attending events that get the creative juices flowing, like at SOBcon07. Those are the most common places my insights happen on their own.

    When I’m actively searching for insight or a shift in thinking, I give myself a mini-retreat of a few hours to reflect on hard questions and allow myself the space to work through them without feeling like I have to answer that ringing business phone. And I give myself retreats quarterly, usually 1-2 days and in an inspiring location like the coast of Maine. Just me, myself and I.

    Cheers,
    Tammy

  • DaveOlson

    Tammy…

    I really love the idea of space and retreats. Everyone should try to do that. I’ve actually been thinking today that I needed to take a couple of days to get quiet and realign.

    Thanks for the great reminder. :smile:

  • http://www.noodleinvite.com.au Andy

    I get the “A ha” moments on the toilet (!) or when settling down for the night in bed.

    My mind seems to run slow in the morning and reach its peak in the late evening.

  • DaveOlson

    Andy… uhmm… I’m not quite sure what to say to that. :grin: I find my minds runs slow in the morning too. I wouldn’t be on the porch at 4:00am like Tammy.

    Thanks for joining in the conversation. You’re always welcome.

  • http://www.idea-sellers.com Daniel Sitter, Idea Seller

    I walk for several miles most days and find that many of my “Aha Moments” come during that time of deep thought and introspection. It’s amazing, the ideas that are within us!

    It was a decade ago when I first heard Jeff Olson use the term “aha moment” and it stuck with me. It’s such a simple yet profound expression! Earl Nightingale used to say that he would have a “blinding glimpse of the obvious;” if he were here today, he would have surely call such instances “aha Moments!”

  • DaveOlson

    Hi Daniel… Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation. There certainly seems to be a theme developing with people enjoying walks and quiet times for their inspiration.

    Jeff Olson must be a wise relative of mine. :smile:

  • http://www.digital-folders.com/betterliving Toze

    Dave,

    Oh, but you can see some of it :wink: …

    http://www.tzplanet.com/lightdelirious

    Tell me what you think… Do I need “aha” moments also for photography?

  • http://www.coloryourlifehappy.com Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D>

    My “aha” moments come at a variety of times

    –sometimes when I’m taking my walk and observing nature
    –other times I wake up with the solution that was troubling me when I went to sleep
    –many times these moments result from reading blogs and articles
    –a few times I had “aha’s” when my kids or grandkids made a remarkable comment
    –many times when I’m just still, thinking about nothing in particular

    I’m thankful for these many times.

  • DaveOlson

    Flora,

    You’ve mentioned several places to look for those moments. Thanks for the suggestions and for dropping by. BTW, I love the design of your site. Very Colorful! :smile: