Communicorps :: Learning :: By Definition

Discontinuity

The more familiar you become with something, the less creative stimulation your derive from it. Discontinuity is the purposeful or accidental introduction of disruptions and changes to spur creative thinking. Listen to music you don't like, change your working hours, alter your travel pattern, eat something different, let someone interrupt your day. Discontinuity is concerning with doing anything outside of "routine" in order to force the mind into a different schedule, pattern, mode or operation.

Discontinuity seeks to take advantage of an interruption. Instead of a negative, view interruption as a chance to step away from a challenge and see it again from a new perspective. Think about your challenge in relation to the change or disruption. What if you did it differently? What if the rules were altered? What if circumstances could be changed?

Example.

The legend of Sir Isaac Newton is a great example of discontinuity. In 1665, the English mathematician was forced to leave his position at Cambridge University, which was struck by a bout of the plague. He began working from his home on theories of circular motion and other ideas. The discontinuity of location may have opened Newton up to new ideas. One day while sitting under a tree in an orchard he was struck on the head by an apple. He began thinking about what made the apple accelerate as it fell? What emerged was Newton's theory of gravity.

Action Ideas.

Take a break from your work. Take a walk, listen to some music, have a snack.
Go talk to someone about anything but your project. Conversations often spur ideas.
Go shopping. Malls are stocked with shelves of supplies waiting for an idea.
Make today different. Take a different route to work, eat something new for lunch, listen to a different radio station, meet somebody new.