Waiting

When we’re waiting, we might glance at our phones, try to appear occupied, or be engaged in an epic adventure in our imagination.

What we do with the time while we’re waiting matters. If we get frustrated while we’re waiting (such as in traffic), then we’re not accomplishing anything at all. But if we use that time to reflect on creative or productive ideas we have, we might discover things about them we hadn’t known before.

What we do while we’re waiting is up to us. If we’re waiting in line to pay for something in a store, we might play a game on our phones, or check our emails. Or we might look around and observe our surroundings–think about how things are setup, the aesthetics, etc.

I look at waiting as an opportunity to solve problems that I’m wrestling with. I look at them from different angles, think of all the alternatives, and find the best solution for them. Usually it’s either a practical or a creative problem–both of which are challenging to solve.

Solving practical problems is like having a debate in my mind in which I’m considering every logistical possibility. Creative ideas require me to think about the needs of the story, the needs of the characters, and how to make them interesting and engaging.

In essence, what we do while we’re waiting depends on how we look at waiting. Is waiting just a dull activity, or is it an opportunity to think of something new–find a solution to a problem?