This morning, I found myself mystified by the way the rain flowed down the pine leaves, blowing in the wind. Usually when something like this happens, I pull out my camera and try to get the focus on the water as it falls, usually for a photo. Today though, I was perplexed by the movement, and felt a desire to capture it through video instead.

In language learning, there is a concept called time on task, which supposes that the more time you spend on a task, the more proficiency you gain. This is obviously not limited to language learning, and it presumes that you are focused on performing the task well, rather than merely doing it to please the teacher.

Today though, I want to focus on time away from task, as I feel it can be just as beneficial if done correctly. Time on task is more important because if you want to get good at something, the best way to do that is to simply do it, and do it, and do it, even when you don’t feel like doing it.

Only after you’ve done the task enough, it can be helpful to give yourself a rest. Do something that completely takes your mind off it. Why? This downtime, or time away from task, is usually when inspiration comes to you. But it’s important to note that you only get this inspiration after having done the task enough.

When you push yourself, you find yourself looking at the world in a different way than before, but this often happens when you are not on the task. The inspiration that comes from this time away from task can then be used on the task, to lead to ever more inspiration.