Inspiration in a Brainstorming Bath
“The #BrainstormingBath – it’s a thing. At least, it should be. Here’s why.”
This post is for my fellow entrepreneurs. I’m guessing that more than one of you who work from home can feel me on this: depending on the trajectory of my day—meaning, if I don’t have to leave my home—I may not bathe until mid-day (that very flexible window of time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.).
I’m perfectly happy to stay tucked up in my ‘jammies, pounding the keys all morning until the Ojoche runs out and I need a break. A shower is often that break. And like many others, the disconnection from distractions in the shower leads to moments of clarity and creative spark that propel the next phase of my efforts forward.
About a month ago, I was working on plans for two different, large events that Sága has coming up this year. I was trying to force my way through to answers that weren’t coming easily. So, I decided to pause and take a bath, even though it was the middle of a weekday.
I saw what you just did right there! That flashing thought of, “What!? Who gets to do that? Who do you think you are!?” Am I right? At least, some version of that thought?
It’s one thing to quickly “jump in the shower” mid-day, you may be thinking, but to chill in the bath? Entirely another.
Or, is it?
A big reason why we get stuck on a problem and can’t easily move forward to a solution is because the vision is not clear. The vision is our roadmap, but too often, we stare at a screen for as many hours as it takes to yank the vision out of ourselves, detouring and procrastinating and draining the life force energy out of ourselves instead of seeking an alternate route to crack the code. The better known tactic of getting up and taking a walk in nature is wonderfully effective to get un-stuck. But in times that call for the ultimate make-self-care-your-business-hack, may I suggest: The Brainstorming Bath.
As advocates for the healing arts and the ancient modalities that our members practice—none of which preach the hustle—we aim to walk our walk. So I got in the bath that day, guilt-free. However, I decided to leverage my state of relaxation to visualize this year’s Sága Summit and the Sàga Series.
As I sunk deeper into the hot water, I pictured each day from beginning to end: what it would be like to arrive, to walk in and get settled into the room. How would we set the tone, lead the conversation and inspire the connections? How would people interact? How would we ensure the day ‘lived on’ for those who attended?
These are typical event-planning questions, but I chose to Virtual Reality myself through these future moments with hot water and suds instead of funky goggles.
Curious? Try it yourself:
First of all, give yourself permission to care for yourself and your business in a new and different way.
The #BrainstormingBath doesn’t have to occur mid-day; you could start or end your day with this hack. But there is something deliciously different about a mid-day bath that shakes up your mind.Set a relaxing mood. Put on some gentle instrumental music to allow your mind to disengage rather than engage with lyrics.
Then prep your tub. I love bath salts (locally, Nanette Perrotte makes divine CBD salts and Epsom Salt is a go-to for me) and essential oils. I leverage oils that spark optimistic emotions, like lemon and lavender. Or better yet, one of Carlygirl’s intentional, angelic blends. Bubbles will invite your inner kid to the party, but sometimes they don’t work with oils.
Choose something that you want to solve, plan for, or think about without distractions. During my inaugural Brainstorming Bath, I was thinking about both of our upcoming large events, which wasn’t the best idea because my visualization kept ping-ponging back and forth between events. So, focus on one thing, if you can.
Ask yourself for the answer(s) or clarity you seek. If you believe in such things, or even if you don’t, ask your guides and angels to support you.
Really let go and sink into the tub for a few moments. Take deep breaths – use box breathing if that works for you, or just a measured count to inhale-hold-exhale.
Then visualize. Picture the situation as though you are walking into it as a guest. What does it look like? Does it inspire ease and excitement or confusion and frustration? How does the space around you feel? Smell? What does it sound like? Does someone greet you? Are there signs that help you to clearly find your way? Do you feel welcome? Are you hungry? Thirsty? Are your needs taken care? How and by whom?
And so on – visualize the situation from beginning to end. Really pause to reflect on your observations and let them sink in.
Continue deep breathing throughout.
Before you let the vision go, revisit what you saw and every person you came upon throughout your vision and thank them for their part in bringing it to life.
Finally, let go of the visualization and just relax. Chances are, your brain will continue to dart back and forth, over and under and through the idea and everything you just thought about. Allow it to do so, but don’t try to control it. It will taper off and return to stillness.
When you’re ready, or the bath water gets cold, get out!
It’s like vision boarding with no paper, no pen, no markers or sticky notes, no keyboard, no whiteboard, and well, no clothes. Just the water and the mind. What felt, and still feels, most revolutionary about the #BrainstormingBath is the ability to simultaneously care for yourself and your business in a new way.
As I moved into the next chapter of my day, I was able to quickly make lists of what I needed and begin to efficiently tackle action steps because my vision was so clear and I was so viscerally connected to it. Plus, I was super relaxed and able to access my vision without associating stress to it.
With the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place/Stay-at-Home orders currently in effect, we are collectively experiencing stressful times that are challenging our minds, bodies and everything we know to be true. For many of us, “business as usual” does not exist anymore, and we don’t know if or when it will again. For others, this is the first time work and home environments have collided.
So, this may be the perfect time to try a #BrainstormingBath, or it could be a completely insane impossibility for the moment. (Primarily depending on whether or not you have kids!)
But rather than slipping or spiraling into despair at the unknown, consider trying something new and different. You may have more answers for yourself than you think, if only you take the time to listen.
It’s unconventional, yes. But unconventional times call for unconventional measures. This is an opportunity to look at how we live our lives, how we run our businesses or in short, how we spend our time – the most valuable of the commodities that we offer. Allow yourself to be creative in how you design your day to achieve your professional and personal goals.
The #BrainstormingBath may not be the answer to how you move forward toward a “new normal” reality. But the answer for you might be waiting just beneath the water amidst a bit of stillness.
Book a #BrainstormingBath into your calendar today and let me (us!) know how it goes. 👇🏻