Pee Break Insights
Why pee breaks can relieve you in more ways than one
This one time my colleagues and I had to brainstorm for a marketing campaign with an impending deadline. But there was a problem.
We couldn’t think of any fresh ideas.
It was frustrating. With the clock ticking and the deadline inching closer, it made things even more stressful for us. We were sitting there in awkward, tense silence (a hallmark of brainstorming sessions over Zoom) when my bladder alarmed me: I had to pee.
As I was going about my business in the bathroom, my eyes suddenly widened. I was stunned. There it was; a fresh idea appeared to me like a vision Raven Baxter would have. I was excited (and relieved … in two ways).
After finishing up (and washing my hands, of course), I brisk walked back to my laptop and shared my idea with my colleagues. Thankfully, they were as excited as I was about it. It gave us the boost we needed to develop an even better idea together and make our deadline. And it was all because someone had too much water to drink before the video call.
Now, I have something to confess to you.
I can’t recall the campaign, the deadline, nor even what the idea was. I’m sorry, I should’ve told you sooner. But there are two reasons why I can’t remember it.
The first is that story took place some time ago.
The second, which is more important, is that that exact phenomenon has happened to me more times than I could count. I swear.
I’m in a brainstorm. We’re creatively dried up. Thinking there are no more ideas to be had, I get up to go to the john and then—BAM an idea appears, as clear as the eye of a storm.
The best part of it is that I keep forgetting this happens. Nowadays I get so focused on writing one of these articles that I forget what an insightful experience going to the toilet can be.
Sometimes, stepping away from your brainstorms can help you find the relief you need — in more ways than one.
(Of course, this isn’t to say becoming your own water fountain like Austin Powers is going to make you the next Steve Jobs. I’ve heard from some people that washing dishes or folding laundry can just as effective for coming up with new ideas. Find what works for you and roll with it.)