Dolly Daydream
was always one of my nicknames when I was growing up.
When we are children, are always being told that we need to concentrate, to pay attention, to focus on the job in hand.
When we grow up, it’s a little bit more subtle but it is a variant on the same theme. We need to manage our time better, learn to Get Things Done, and stop procrastinating.
In fact, sometimes it seems as if life is ever more complex, with activities scheduled to fill every waking moment, and even our relaxation has a timetable.
I’m not saying there isn’t some value in that. I’m a big fan of David Allen’s GTD system – just the simple act of keeping track of what needs doing frees my mind from having to remember everything from buying loo roll, to doing the VAT return – and allows it to get on with important task of daydreaming.
But now I have the ultimate justification for being Dolly Daydream, courtesy of a new piece of academic research.
(I do love it when research confirms what I want to believe 
)
It turns out that wandering minds seem to make more connections between distant parts of the brain, and that is associated with higher intelligence.
So, I’m just going to spend a while gazing out of the window, making connections…
About Ann GodridgeAnn Godridge has just completed her first crime novel, The Mermaid's Shroud, and has started work on the sequel. Her story the Tree of Knowledge was shortlisted for the Asham Award. She writes about writing and sometimes about textile arts at her blogStraw into Gold. You can find out more about her here - About Ann G.
View all posts by Ann Godridge →
47 Responses to Dolly Daydream
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Great blog! I am glad I am not the only one guilty of being a “Dolly Daydream” even better to learn research back this up!
Angie
Twitter: Angiewelly1
One of my hobbies is to find research that justifies all my bad habits, Angie.
There’s a study somehwere on the benefits of having an untidy desk…
Great blog! I am glad I am not the only one guilty of being a “Dolly Daydream” even better to learn research back this up!
Angie
Twitter: Angiewelly1
One of my hobbies is to find research that justifies all my bad habits, Angie.
There’s a study somehwere on the benefits of having an untidy desk…
Ann, you have made my day! Connections, here I come…
Sz
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
Enjoy Suz
Ann, you have made my day! Connections, here I come…
Sz
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
Enjoy Suz
Oh so true! My son is always ‘away with the fairies’ but the fairies are obviously teaching him well because he’s pretty smart!
Good to hear, Maggie
Oh so true! My son is always ‘away with the fairies’ but the fairies are obviously teaching him well because he’s pretty smart!
Good to hear, Maggie
One of the best bosses I ever had, a brilliant gentleman, by the name of Maurice Tschinyama, used to stop people from interrupting me if I was staring out of the window. He had worked out some of my most productive work came after staring out of the window for at least 20 minutes!
I had read somewhere that it was how the brain mentally ‘files’ away a lot of information and that it shouldn’t be disturbed from doing it’s job, yet knowing all of this I still say to my girls… pay attention!
I think that’s right, Sarah. When Ryan is programming he does a vriety fo different things to switch off his conscious mind, much easier now that eh works from home. It’s a rare boss that understands that thinking doesn’t necessarily look like work!
I also suspect this is one explanation for why I find it hard to drop off to sleep lately – I am always getting up again to jot down ideas for the novel – which invariably hit about five minutes after my head hits the pillow…
One of the best bosses I ever had, a brilliant gentleman, by the name of Maurice Tschinyama, used to stop people from interrupting me if I was staring out of the window. He had worked out some of my most productive work came after staring out of the window for at least 20 minutes!
I had read somewhere that it was how the brain mentally ‘files’ away a lot of information and that it shouldn’t be disturbed from doing it’s job, yet knowing all of this I still say to my girls… pay attention!
I think that’s right, Sarah. When Ryan is programming he does a vriety fo different things to switch off his conscious mind, much easier now that eh works from home. It’s a rare boss that understands that thinking doesn’t necessarily look like work!
I also suspect this is one explanation for why I find it hard to drop off to sleep lately – I am always getting up again to jot down ideas for the novel – which invariably hit about five minutes after my head hits the pillow…
long live research and Ann…..keep blogging darling and assure us that the researchers confirm what we all WANT to hear.
back to gaze out of the window….
suhad
Thanks Suhad….
I’m sure chocolate and coffee are both good for us too
long live research and Ann…..keep blogging darling and assure us that the researchers confirm what we all WANT to hear.
back to gaze out of the window….
suhad
Thanks Suhad….
I’m sure chocolate and coffee are both good for us too
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Sarah sent me here…
But I am glad I came. Most of my blogging ideas and even some of my best work come from daydreaming usually while I am doing something mundane, like scrubbing the bathtub or changing laundry. But sometimes they come when I am doing nothing at all. I’m glad I can be justified in daydreaming.
Hi Julie
I find anything rhythmic and repetitive can work too – walking is good, for example, and I always used to get good ideas when I was weaving.
Sarah sent me here…
But I am glad I came. Most of my blogging ideas and even some of my best work come from daydreaming usually while I am doing something mundane, like scrubbing the bathtub or changing laundry. But sometimes they come when I am doing nothing at all. I’m glad I can be justified in daydreaming.
Hi Julie
I find anything rhythmic and repetitive can work too – walking is good, for example, and I always used to get good ideas when I was weaving.
Hooray for Dolly Daydreamers everywhere – they’re right up there with Pollyannas in my book. The only trouble I have is remembering some of the thinks I come up with while daydreaming – but I enjoy them at the time, at least.
Thanks Ann!
Twitter: babssaul
I keep intending to buy myself one of those little digital recorders…
Just a thought
Hooray for Dolly Daydreamers everywhere – they’re right up there with Pollyannas in my book. The only trouble I have is remembering some of the thinks I come up with while daydreaming – but I enjoy them at the time, at least.
Thanks Ann!
Twitter: babssaul
I keep intending to buy myself one of those little digital recorders…
Just a thought
I have been looking for an explanation for my procastination and you have just given me one Ann…LOl
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
I am thinking of setting myself up as a Pro Procrastination, coach, Ida
Let me know if you need any more help…
I love this – just one little thought:
Wonder if you’ll have got round to setting yourself up… if Ida gets back to you, that is…
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Touche, Linda
Maybe tomorrow?
I have been looking for an explanation for my procastination and you have just given me one Ann…LOl
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
I am thinking of setting myself up as a Pro Procrastination, coach, Ida
Let me know if you need any more help…
I love this – just one little thought:
Wonder if you’ll have got round to setting yourself up… if Ida gets back to you, that is…
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Touche, Linda
Maybe tomorrow?
Daydreaming is part of life – one of the things I miss about having my dog is the daydreams I had while walking her – some of my best business plans were thought up while knee deep in mud in the woods and daydreaming!
Twitter: nikkipilkington
There is definitely something about walking that works, I think.
Sorry you are missing La Woof, wasn’t she called? I’m still hoping we will get another puppy, but I need to regain a bit more energy first
Daydreaming is part of life – one of the things I miss about having my dog is the daydreams I had while walking her – some of my best business plans were thought up while knee deep in mud in the woods and daydreaming!
Twitter: nikkipilkington
There is definitely something about walking that works, I think.
Sorry you are missing La Woof, wasn’t she called? I’m still hoping we will get another puppy, but I need to regain a bit more energy first
Thanks Ann but please don’t tell my 10 year old. It’s difficult enough getting her ready in the mornings without this knowledge!
Oh dear, I’m not a morning person either. Perhaps your daughter is just a night owl too…
There’s always abalance cneeded and some focus and concentration too…perhaps you could try rewarding her with some time set aside for structured daydreaming later if she gets up on time?
Thanks Ann but please don’t tell my 10 year old. It’s difficult enough getting her ready in the mornings without this knowledge!
Oh dear, I’m not a morning person either. Perhaps your daughter is just a night owl too…
There’s always abalance cneeded and some focus and concentration too…perhaps you could try rewarding her with some time set aside for structured daydreaming later if she gets up on time?
I describe myself as a professional DollyDayDreamer and someone from the States has just asked what it meant. For a moment I was flummoxed until I found your wonderful blogspot which sums it up beautifully !
I describe myself as a professional DollyDayDreamer and someone from the States has just asked what it meant. For a moment I was flummoxed until I found your wonderful blogspot which sums it up beautifully !