Fear not, wise wanderer

We already know that the full extent of the capabilities of human brain is not fully understood.  Most of us have often heard that humans only use 20% of their brain most of the time.  Well here’s the best news:  a wandering mind can be an exceptionally good thing.  A study by Michael Kane at the University of North Carolina shows that our minds drift off task one-third of the time (surprised?  Not me).  You know, in a typical 8-hour work day, that’s a lot of day dreaming!  The study further suggests that if our body has an urge to do this so often it might actually be a useful activity (Okay, now you have my attention).  In brain scans, it has been shown that when the mind veers off-task, it utilizes the prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain that is involved in problem solving.  This means that the ‘leisure’ mind is likely doing creative thinking (Ah –ha!  I knew it!)  This would explain why so many so-called “light-bulb” moments happen to scientists, artists and other problem-solvers when they are actually not applying themselves to a particular task (I am now thoroughly impressed).  I would certainly advocate further study on how our brain utilizes this so-called brain downtime as it is proving to be time well spent.  It’s implications to the workforce are huge.  Imagine the following addendum to your current job description:

•  Other duties as assigned, including staring off into space for indeterminate periods of time  

Or

• Performance management of supporting staff including attention to requisite inattentiveness

 Or

•  Responsibility for ad hoc assigned projects including implementation of forced distraction.

Wow, stay tuned… (if you can).