Dr. Caligiuri,

Thank you for the blog on thinking in the shower! This is one of my top spots for thinking. It has the benefit of a locking door (to keep out the husband and children) and warm water that provides needed white noise. Usually, I will try to not think about anything in particular I just enjoy the experience of a shower. In giving myself a chance to "not-think" I think I allow my brain to place objects and circumstances in the correct order. This also happens to me at night right before I go to sleep. In this case I keep a pen and paper handy!
Other than the shower and bed I also like to think when I am taking a walk. Sometimes it is too easy to get overwhelmed by things beyond your control, and the walk helps me regain some perspective on life. Fresh air, flowers, weather, and physical exercise can all help to relieve the pressure of trying to "find a solution."
Maybe the key is to not try so hard to utilize the processes of the brain, just relax and let the brain run on auto-pilot!

Thanks-Miri

Dr. Caligiuri,
The shower sounds like a great place to brainstorm considering it provides personal space, soothing stimulus, and peace from outside distractions. I am typically daydreaming, journaling or painting when I get my best creative ideas. I am best able to think when relaxing at home just surfing the internet or reorganizing my office. The key to getting to my best thinking is being able to meditate on my own thoughts and tune out distractions in order to facilitate real brainstorming.
I chose to brainstorm on your question about a potential title for your book that would capture your readers and concept of your final product. I chose to surf the internet to research some potential ideas. I cross referenced the search engine on: Google, Amazon, and FT Press just to see what is already out there to avoid duplication. I also reviewed your blog website, CNN interview and blog content to get an idea of what your style and methods of communicating to your readers. It seems like you are passionate about inspiring your readers to open up the possibility of reaching for their dream career and stop being foreclosed on the ideal career. I recall reading on your home page information on the meaning of your tag line: “Dream. Explore. Prosper. “. And this made me think that in itself would have been a great book title. Following along the same lines of this concept I would really recommend your title contains those key words.

Here is the rain (thoughts) of my brainstorm:
Brain rain (key terms to draw ideas): Prosper, Dream, Explore, Inspire, Career, Advise, Connection, Interest, Attract, Imagine, Blog, Readers

Top of my head titles inspired from your tag line:
Pathways to Prosperity: Real Methods of Exploring your Dream Career
Release your Prosperity: Career Advice in the Real World
Beyond Keeping Your Job: Solid Career Exploration

Second level ideas inspired to be eye catching:
Rock Stars & Ballerinas Landed their Dream Career- Why Not You?
Career Smarts
Uncover Your Career Genius in 30 Seconds
Career Guru with Dr. Caligiuri

Hopefully, you will have that “ah ha!” moment in sorting through the insightful suggestions from your blogging audience (or perhaps an inspired moment in the shower) to find the perfect title for your book! I can only imagine how exciting it is to be a published author!
Lisa Tapia

Dr. Caligiuri,
The shower sounds like a great place to brainstorm considering it provides personal space, soothing stimulus, and peace from outside distractions. I am typically daydreaming, journaling or painting when I get my best creative ideas. I am best able to think when relaxing at home just surfing the internet or reorganizing my office. The key to getting to my best thinking is being able to meditate on my own thoughts and tune out distractions in order to facilitate real brainstorming.
I chose to brainstorm on your question about a potential title for your book that would capture your readers and the concept of your final product. I chose to surf the internet to research some potential ideas. I cross referenced the search engine on: Google, Amazon, and FT Press just to see what is already out there to avoid duplication. I also reviewed your blog website, CNN interview and blog content to get an idea of what your style and methods of communicating to your readers. It seems like you are passionate about inspiring your readers to open up the possibility of reaching for their dream career and stop being foreclosed on the ideal career. I recall reading on your home page information on the meaning of your tagline: “Dream. Explore. Prosper. “ . And this made me think that in itself would have been a great book title. Following along the same lines of this concept I would really recommend your title contains those key words.

Here is the rain (thoughts) of my brainstorm:
Brain Rain (key terms to draw ideas): Prosper, Dream, Explore, Inspire, Career, Advise, Connection, Interest, Attract, Imagine, Blog, Readers

Top of my head titles inspired from your tagline:
Pathways to Prosperity: Real Methods of Exploring your Dream Career
Release your Prosperity: Career Advice in the Real World
Beyond Keeping Your Job: Solid Career Exploration

Second level ideas inspired to be eye catching:
Rock Stars & Ballerinas Landed their Dream Career- Why Not You?
Career Smarts
Uncover Your Career Genius in 30 Seconds

Hopefully, you will have that “ah ha!” moment in sorting through the insightful suggestions from your blogging audience (or perhaps an inspired moment in the shower) to find the perfect title for your book! I can only imagine how exciting it is to be a published author!
Lisa Tapia

Dr. Caligiuri,

The shower, or bath for me, really is the best place to think. I talk to myself, rerun events of the day, make up pretend scenarios and solve problems to daily obstacles. Where else can you soak tired muscles, soften your skin, enjoy a facial and get a moment of piece from the children? I bet the relaxing aromas that some soaps and bubble bath have can help one relax a bit too. When I was pregnant with my last child three years ago, I came up with a whole entire novel while in the shower.

I think it is that moment of the day we often don’t let ourselves have, because we are so busy working, stressing, dealing with children and activities. I love to unwind.

One of the other places I find that my mind wanders and I get ideas is in the kitchen. Of course this only works if the kids are busy doing their own things. I put on some of that Spanish classical guitar music, drink a glass of wine and cook Mediterranean. My mind gets pretty organized this way and I feel much more relaxed for the evening. Maybe it is the fact I am moving but it doesn’t require much thought. Or maybe, once again, it is the aromas of fresh lemon, oregano or thyme.

I am a big thinker. So if I don’t get these moments, I get grumpy. It’s kind of ironic to me how healthy and productive it is to just let your mind wander.

Good Luck on finding a title for your upcoming book. How about something like: THE QUEST OF A LIFETIME: Finding your pupose in a career that fits. I'll keep my job. :)

Hi Paula:

I can relate to what you are saying. I'd like to add that another great way of coming up with creative ideas and titles is with something I call the ping pong game.

You ask a friend or colleague who is insightful and creative to play with you, not necessarily in the shower.

You hit the ball over the net with your initial idea. They receive it, absorb it and determine what this means to them, then they hit the ball over the net back to you. You receive it and feel into it to determine what resonates and what doesn't. You formulate the best description of this new version and hit that ball back to them.

You continue in this fashion until something goes clunk and it feels like you got it so you say "that's it". This completes the game. Of course you can continue indefinitely until the ball is worn out or until a time warp occurs, whatever.

It is great fun, quite exhilarating and amazingly productive. I teach this method in my Career Crafting course and people love it. If you would like to play sometime, let me know. Either one of our showers will do. lol

Sincerely,
Howard