scottleduc

Life Hack for Generating Ideas

Create Commons image Idea by Joey Gannon Idea at Flickr
Create Commons image Idea by Joey Gannon at Flickr

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