Aha Effect: Why is it So Utterly Cool?
And how do you get one?
Your name might not be Archimedes. You might not be living in Ancient Greece. You most probably do not wear a white gown over your bare body. And there is no guarantee that you own a bath.
But that doesn’t mean that you haven’t experienced the Aha/Eureka effect, — an amazingly satisfying feeling of finally completing the jigsaw and coming up with a solution. The very same way Archimedes did when finally grasping how to measure the volume of an irregular object.
Even if that story is fictional, the aha effect is more than real. Just ask the neuroscientists. Studies have shown that the aha effect is the result of “the unconscious mind piecing together loosely connected bits of information stemming from prior knowledge and experiences and forming novel associations among them.” It happens when you least expect it, which explains why it’s so utterly satisfying.
So, how do you generate one?
If only there were a step-by-step guide. Alas. But don’t lose your spirit just now: Some things can definitely help you achieve one. First off, don’t try too hard. You can’t force it. Complexity always precedes a solution, even if that solution seems to be obvious afterward. Just accept that.
Also, make sure to take breaks from the problem you are trying to solve: fresh air, long walks, showers, exercises, manual work are vital. They help your mind to rest.
If you are using different tools online, make sure you opt for the ones that offer you a well-organized, visual space. After all, thoughts that appear in the big picture mode are likely to help your brain come up with a solution compared to the traditional A4 format.
xTiles is one of these tools. Some of our early adopters have already described it as ‘aha-effectish’. It is simple and visual to the bone.
Why not give it a try and find out for yourself? ;)
