scottleduc

Life Hack for Generating Ideas

“Idea Brain” by Bango Renders/ CC0 1.0
 

How do many creative people generate brilliant, unique ideas in a short period of time?

What if you could harness this power?

Read on and find out!

Rationale

  • “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” – Orson Welles (BrainQuotes)
    • Intentional limitation is needed to promote and develop ideas.
    • Limit time, material, etc.

Where Good Ideas Come From

Story Structure and Brainstorming Resources

Step 1 – Brainwrite Ideas on Paper (Introverted)(RIGHT BRAIN)

Rationale: Right brain creative idea generating is achieved best with little or no technology and distraction. Also having a visual reminder of what you are brainwriting helps keep you focused. People lose focus within 60 seconds, if they don’t have a visual reminder in front of them. Technology like cell phones and computers can distract us from idea generating task short-circuiting the creative process. Paper is helpful because it’s quick to use and allows you to write anywhere and anyway to get ideas recorded quickly in a visible medium. This gives introverted people a chance to more freely express themselves.

  • Brainwrite by yourself.
  • Write the main topic in a circle in the middle of the paper and then write down ideas related to the topic quickly around the circle.
  • Write non-stop it for three minutes (3:00).
    • Set a timer that is visible by all working on this project.
  • EXAMPLE 1:
  • cp_sample_brainstorm_natalie
  • EXAMPLE 2:
  • Kat Scan

Step 2 – Brainstorm Ideas (Extroverted) (RIGHT BRAIN)

Rationale: different perspectives can evolve ideas or see patterns or opportunities where another person may not. This gives extroverted people a chance to more freely express themselves.

  • Pitch the brainwritten ideas within a small team.
    • The smaller the better.
    • Too many people can slow down the idea generation process
    • Look for ways to add/refine your ideas.
  • Do this for five minutes (5:00).
    • Set a timer that is visible by the whole team.
  • Add the ideas to a collective brainstormed sheet.

Step 3 – Brainwrite a Storyboard (Introverted) (LEFT BRAIN)

Rationale: Storyboarding is great way to establish your story or the logical flow of an idea. Storytelling is a one of the best ways to present ideas and teach. All presentations should teach something to the audience, even in a job interview. By sharing information through a story you give the audience a way to understand the information (right brain context). By writing your storyboard on paper you create a rough draft you can share easily with others to find ways to improve your presentation or story without having to invest a lot of time on the computer before sharing.

  • Storyboard by yourself.
  • Create a storyboard on paper.
    • Fold a piece of paper four times. You will end up with 16 small rectangles on one side of the paper.
    • Use these 16 cells as sample presentation slides, film shots, etc.
  • Organize non-stop your brainwritten material into chronological order for three minutes (3:00).
    • Set a timer that is visible by all working on this project.
  • EXAMPLE:
  • cp_sample_storyboard_natalie

Step 4 – Brainstorm your Storyboard (Extroverted) (LEFT BRAIN)

Rationale: different perspectives can evolve ideas or see patterns or opportunities where another person may not. This gives extroverted people a chance to more freely express themselves.

  • Pitch the brainwritten storyboard within a small team
    • The smaller the better.
    • Too many people can slow down the idea generation process
    • Look for ways to add/refine your ideas.
  • Do this for five minutes (5:00).
    • Set a timer that is visible by the whole team.
  • Add the ideas to a collective brainstormed storyboard.

Step 5 – Prepare and Present Ideas

Rationale: Voice and body language heavily influence presentation performance. Understanding the principles of effective presentation delivery is fundamental in conveying ideas to others.

Resources