"One should never impose one’s views on a problem; one should rather study it, and in time a solution will reveal itself." - Albert Einstein

Incubation.  It is one of the least understood steps in the creative problem solving process. 

Incubation is defined as "to cause or aid the development of."  Clear as mud, right?

In the creative problem solving sense of the word, incubation is nothing more than the period of time allowed between defining the problem to be solved and the purposeful search for new ideas that may solve the problem.  In other words, incubation is when you let your mind do what it is designed to do...solve problems.

One of the most popular theories of human problem solving is that the function of the sub-conscious mind, among other things, is to record everything that you experience via your five senses.  This recorded sensory information is "categorized" and available in various stages of recall.  These stages of recall are immediate, shallow and deep.  For those of you with IT experience, think of it as the world's fastest and most powerful relational database. 

For example, major life events such as the birth of a child or traumatic events such as a car accident, along with recent events are stored in the immediate recall section of the sub-conscious.  Short-term, functional memories and logical groupings of sensory experiences are stored in the shallow sub-conscious.  Finally, long-term memories and tangential groupings of sensory experiences are stored in the deep sub-conscious.

Another function of the sub-conscious mind is to compare all problems it receives with the information it has recorded and categorized.  This is where incubation takes place.  Known solutions to a problem and combinations of potential solutions are presented as "ideas" by your sub-conscious mind.

Sometimes the incubation period is immediate.  For example, if you are faced with the sudden problem of a tire blowout on your car, your sub-conscious mind searches its immediate recall area for a solution and reacts accordingly. 

With other types of problems however, the incubation period can take days or even weeks.   This is typically the experience you have when an idea to a problem you forgot you even had suddenly pops into your head while you are taking a shower two days later.

Simply understanding how your sub-conscious mind works provides you with a critical advantage in problem solving.  Once you understand how the process works, you can create the right environment for the incubation process.  And the best part...its simple and fun!

Here are a few of my favorite methods for a successful incubation:

• Write down the problem on a piece of paper; Put the paper in a drawer for two days; Just before bed on the 2nd day, take out the paper and read the problem out loud; When ideas start to appear, write them down
• Schedule time for daily incubation; These are times when you purposely allow your mind to wander...showering, driving to work, walking the dog, watching the birds, soaking in the tub, cutting the grass, etc.
• Pay attention to even the smallest details
• Make sure the "recordings" your sub-conscious mind is making are good ones...Watch the Science Channel instead of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
• Just being self-aware helps!!!
• Imagine like a child...It is DEFINITELY going to take some practice!!!

Most importantly, do not try to force incubation.  Its a bit like grabbing a wet bar of soap...the harder you squeeze, the more difficult it is to hang onto it.