My daily planner has a quote today from Albert Einstein.
I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.
At first glance I agreed. I know from experience that when I get bogged down in operational business issues and just keeping up, I feel significantly less creative. But at the same time it is exposure to new ideas – the kind that challenge my views and help me learn – that makes me more creative. That certainly doesn't happen much in a monotonous quiet lifestyle. I guess creativity needs a little bit of both. Craziness is good, but reflection time is important too.
