One of the worst things for productivity is monotony. Every time I hear that word I think of the old Ramones songs, “Teenage Labotomy” and “I Wanna Be Sedated”. Sitting in an office at a desk or in a cube, will destroy anyone’s creativity, ambition, and productivity.
This week my wife and I flew out to spend the week with my Sister-in-law and her husband in Land o’ Lakes, Wisconsin. They just built a new log cabin on the coast of two lakes in the middle of the woods.
I took my laptop to attempt some work on the plane, but what I found was the change of scenery and the peacefulness of the wilderness a huge inspiration. The change from the noisy Boston city streets, the rat race of going to work every day and seeing the same people drew all kinds of ideas out. Sleeping with the sounds of birds, frogs and deer right outside the window helps bring different thoughts and images than the sounds of garbage trucks, city drunks, and your neighbor’s stereo.
I typically do my work at my desktop in front of my Apple Cinema display. I’ve now found a new love for my old PowerBook, since it can take me away from the desk and let me sit in the sun while I write code or debug that crappy method I wrote late one night. It can take me to new places and let me find new inspiration. It can help me find my passion again.
I’ve always found that I’m more creative and passionate about my photography when I travel. It’s always more fun to photograph something you don’t see every day. Now I’m finding that it’s much more fun to code and design and dream when you’re not behind the same desk every waking moment.