SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Brainstorming
Brainstorming, Where Do I Begin?
Brainstorming
When You Are Stuck In A Rut
We all reach the point now and again when
we feel stuck, blocked, when we’re unable to generate a new,
original, useful, or proactive idea despite our every effort.
The next time this happens to you, consider the following powerful
tips for getting yourself out of that rut and back on track
to success.
1.
Look for problems.
We’re
taught to look for solutions, if we want to be successful,
but sometimes we can’t find the
right solutions because we haven’t yet gotten clear on what
the problems are. Take a step back from trying to come up
with great ideas to examine what exactly the obstacles are
holding
you back. Look at the negative on purpose, for a change.
Look at what’s wrong with the current situation, along with
what‘s
wrong with the ideas you currently have before you. Get clear
and specific on the problems you are or may be facing, and
you’ll probably have an easier time thereafter finding the
solutions to overcome them, one by one. Get clear and specific
about the flaws in your current ideas, and you’ll likely
find yourself coming up with ways to strengthen and improve
your
ideas.
2.
Look at it from another point of view - literally.
Imagine
you’re somebody else, in another line of work, with a completely
different batch of experiences and opinions. Consider your
situation from another person’s perspective. Imagine how
a teacher, doctor, lawyer, artist, farmer, inventor, mechanic,
or housewife might perceive the problem, for example.
3.
Search other fields of study.
Problems
cross not only economic, cultural, and class lines, but vocational
lines as well. Similar
to the previous suggestion, look for the problems you’re
facing in other fields of study. How has history, science,
medicine,
art, entertainment, sociology, politics, etc. handled the
same or similar problem when faced with it? What can you
learn from
their experiences? What methods and measures can you adopt?
4.
Play with scale.
Modify
the size and scope of your problems and solutions. Shrink
them, enlarge them, stretch them, exaggerate
them. Or, by the same token simplify them. Remove steps or
elements. Minimize or combine them. Simplify your idea -
take it down to its bare bones. Or complicate your idea,
changing
up its form and function.
5.
Skip to the end.
Forget
about your idea for a minute and go back to why you came
up with the idea in the first place?
What problem was it intended to solve? What is the desired
end result? Get back to the purpose behind the idea that
led to the current quagmire. What needs was it intended to
meet?
Whom was it to affect? In what way? Why? How else can you
address those same needs, achieve those same intended purposes?
Look
for ways to add value to your current idea, whether real
or perceived - an added feature, a free bonus. Improve your
idea’s
functionality, ease of use, durability, safety, etc.
6.
Incentivize.
When
all else fails (and before it ever gets that far), make it
even more worth your and your team’s while
to have a breakthrough. Nothing gets human beings past a
mental or emotional block like the promise of a reward on
the other
side. Encourage the enthusiastic contribution of stupendous
ideas by recognizing them praise and prizes. Whether it’s
a pay bonus, extra time off, a promotion, or simply the pride
of being publicly recognized for your worth, the right incentive
can work wonders to unblock a blocked creativity. # # # # # SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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