Creativity and Riding the Auto Train

I recently rode the Amtrack auto train from Virginia to Central Florida. It seemed like an economical way to bring a used car back to Orlando without putting a lot more miles on it. The trip from Lorton, Virginia (just south of Washington, DC) to Sanford, Florida (about a half-hour north of Orlando)took about sixteen hours. It included dinner, continental breakfast, and a movie. The coach seat provided more room than Business class seats on planes. I was able to plug my computer in at a convenient socket, and lean almost all the way back to sleep. Not only did I enjoy the trip, when I factored in the cost of gas, motel room, and meals, the trip was cheaper than driving. It wasn't that long ago that most people took trains for long trips. Now train travel is a specialty item, except for commuters into a major metropolitan area. It also gave me time to read, think, and work on some of my current projects away from the bustle of a busy office. How does this relate to creating content? Sometimes your best inspiration can be to do something different. Although I was traveling by myself I met people at meals that I would never have met otherwise -- a nurse that was moving to Tampa, for example, and a retired couple of motorcycle enthusiasts who were transporting their bikes on the train. We never know when we're creating something what is going to spur our creativity. But I do know that you can't create something new using the same routines. We need to get out into the world and do something different. That's a great technique to use if you're stuck on a piece, but it's also great if you're starting out. You don't have to take the Auto Train. That worked for me. Do what works for you. But do something. Take your dog down a different street for your walk. Ride your bicycle somewhere you've never been. Or just go for a drive in the country and stop at the first small town you find. Or go bungee jumping. Just make sure the cord is fastened tightly. Break your routine, break your old habits, and find new inspiration.