Writing Student Discovers Scented Candles May Enhance Productivity

During the summer vacation months, it may be hard for people to keep focused at work; however, this productivity-boosting trick may help. A San Diego writing student discovered a new way to stay on task and increase productivity without resorting to 'to-do lists' or self-help books.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) July 1, 2006 -- For those who need help staying motivated at their desks this summer, a creative writing student has stumbled on an easy way to boost productivity. Katherine, whose friends call her 'Cat,' is a student in a novel-writing class. Like so many writers, she likes to cuts things close, even her most important assignments.

Recently, she was faced with only three days to write a complete outline for a 300-page sci-fi novel, her genre of choice. For her, the problem was lack of self-discipline combined with total lack of inspiration. "If I have to force myself to write fiction, it never comes out very well. I can never force my imagination. All I can do is help it along," Cat says.

After half a day of staring at the white wall in her sterile kitchen, it finally occurred to the student that she needed a better place to work. The fluorescent lights and the drafting table that serves as her writing desk didn't give her much inspiration. It was possible that she just needed to find a better place to work.

With the clock ticking, she went out for fresh flowers but came back with something a little different: scented candles in tiny aluminum tins. With scents resembling chocolate cake and tomato vines, she thought the unusual scents would wake up her creativity.

Using only the candles, Cat managed to transform her sterile desk into a more positive and creative workplace. Though she is skeptical about aromatherapy and anything New Age, she claims that the natural light and unusual fragrances made her think and solve problems in a different way.

Perhaps it was the simple change of pace, or perhaps it is because scent, creativity, and memory are closely linked in the brain, but the candle trick must have worked for her. The student seems to have stopped procrastination in its tracks - she's now deep into her first draft, with a growing pile of empty candle tins beside her.

About Cat:

Cat maintains the Excellent Living Guide, a collection of articles about getting more enjoyment from daily life. The Excellent Living Guide focuses on balancing love of creature comforts with a DIY ethic, and can be found at http://www.excellentlivingguide.com.

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