Train Your Brain to Create More Ideas!
Do you want to create more ideas, do you need more Ideas? Learn great techniques to turn yourself into an Ideas Powerhouse!
Do you need business ideas, ideas for new Squidoo lenses, ideas for parties, ideas for new lyrics, plots for books, money making ideas, artistic ideas, ideas for recipes the list goes on.
This ambitious lens will cover how to get more ideas, how to analyze how you got an idea, how to recognize good ideas and tips and techniques on how to be more creative. Turn yourself into an idea factory!
Could you be just one idea away from success? Find out how to generate your brilliant idea below!
I'm proud to announce that this Lens has been voted second in the Best Potential Giant Squid Lens see here Giant Squid Awards and has on April Fool's Day 2010 received a Purple Star
Contents at a Glance
Creating Ideas Blessings from Angels
I think they really are Angels
This lens has been honored by 8 Squid Angel Blessings.Creating Brilliant Idea More Blessing from Squidoo Angels
Idea Birds: Why you Must Write Down Your Ideas Immediately
Ideas are like Last Night's Dream
Ideas just seem to spring into your head out of your subconscious but rather like last night's dream they can disappear and be forgotten just as quickly. It is therefore vital to immediately jot them down on paper or in your cell phone notes.Look sharply after your thoughts, They come unlooked for, like a new bird seen in your trees, and, if you turn to your usual task, disappear. Ralph Waldo Emerson
STOP PRESS : Important Idea Creation Tip
When you get one idea you often get two or three at the same time, write down just a few words for each: don't write down a lot for the first idea as the effort of concentration can easily make the other ideas fly away.
What Are Ideas, Where Do They Come From?
Ideas are connections that you make spontaneously or otherwise as you review in your mind events or problems. Many of your best ideas happen when you are in idle mode. You have to train yourself to recognise an idea and then evaluate whether it is worth pursuing in any case you should write it down.Everyone has ideas but many people have no confidence that they can make use of of their ideas, thus they never train or discipline themselves to boost there idea generating abilities.
Decide today to focus on how you think, what you think about for the next few days.
Ideas Don't Have to be BIG!
People often think that to have useful ideas they must think of something extraordinary or revolutionary but in fact ideas can be small and simple, a quicker way to work, a way to organise your paperwork, a way to get your work done more efficiently, an attention grabbing title for your new essay or blog posting, a simple gift that would provide pleasure for a friend or relation, a surprise for a colleague, an exciting vacation, a new recipe, a way of using some ingredients that might go stale soon.All of these can make life a little easier or more pleasant or earn you more money
How Do You Create Ideas?
The Wonder of Serendipity
Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.So the more you do and learn the more knowledge you have, the more you experience the more you promote the possibility of discovering something.
What's the Best Way of Creating Ideas
Put Your Ideas Into Action
This will stimulate more ideas because you will ha more...18 points
Free Writing
Begin with a blank sheet of paper or a blank scree more...15 points
Reading Books
Reading Books on a particular topic by a famous Au more...10 points
Go for a Morning Walk
There's something refreshing and invigorating abou more...9 points
Lateral Thinking
Out of the Box thinking methods developed by Edwar more...7 points
Exposing your Ideas to Critics
Get useful advice and or be made aware of flaws. B more...7 points
Go to Bed and Try to Sleep
You will often be bombarded with ideas that keep y more...7 points
There's no such thing as a bad idea!
Bad ideas are good ideas that are just not relevan more...5 points
Add Your Individuality
Learn enough of a subject that you can add a new s more...5 points
Be Just a Little Bit Crazy?
Is this a necessary ingredient for a brilliantly o more...4 points
Elusive Obvious
Developing the capacity to re-examine almost anyth more...2 points
The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas
Linus Pauling2 points
Reading Books
Reading Books on a particular topic by a famous Au more...2 points
Learn More About Idea Generation
Thinking Out Of The Box
This is an exercise often used by corporates to come up with original ideas for products or services. Participents are invited to turn ideas and current practice upside down until something useful comes up; this is done without fear of ridicule.What you must try to do is eliminate Blocking Parameters or Limiting Parameters these are unconscious assumptions/prejudices you have when approaching a problem. See the Placing a Dot Exercise where most people will docilely place the dot in the centre.
Placing a Dot Exercise
Group Exercise to Demonstrate Most People's Conformity
Hand out a Piece of Paper containing a square or circle. Casually ask people to place a dot on the paper. Get them all to stand and then ask those (80%) who put the dot in the very center to sit down. Then find out where the rest put their dot, praise those with the most ingenuity, eg someone who put his dot on the other side!!Use this as a warm up exercise to show your participants how docile they are and how much they are going to have to stretch themselves
Brainstorming with a Paperclip
Exercise for a Seminar (Divergent Thinking)
Divide people up into four groups or so. Allow 5 minutes for each group to list down as many uses of a paperclip as possible.Ask how many uses were found from each group leader, them write each idea down on a white board ignoring duplicates. Your audience will be surprised how many things were possible with such a common place item. It will also open their eyes to the power of the collective intelligence.
In fact if you repeated the exercise you would come up with even more ideas, showing there is practically no limit to our powers of imagination
How Do You Get Your Ideas?
Ideas Hot House
Some very good ideas on idea creation and idea conservation. I thank you all.
How Do You Get Your Ideas
They just appear
deepu... says:
hi i say you are right ......
al9166 says:
Keep on learning new thing that trends in internet because the time you stop learning is the time you stop earning Gold mines ideas :)
elizabethknows says:
I talk to family and friends and brainstorm mainly. I have many ideas... but putting them into reality is the hard part for me.
GrimRascal says:
They just pop and manifest themselves.
JoyfulReviewer says:
Ideas just pop into my head ... while working, relaxing, or sleeping. Those that come while I'm sleeping, I try to concentrate on for awhile and hope I remember them when I awaken. Otherwise, I try to write down the ideas right away before I forget them.
JimDickens says:
Some of the best ones appear from no where while I am thinking about something else. However, sometimes I use techniques to speed up the process
WriterJanis says:
They just seem to pop into my head.
top-notch-shop says:
sleeping on an idea,and writing it on paper when you wake up
Amy Walsh says:
journaling, waking up in the middle of the night
Marion23 says:
Nr. 12: Go to bed and try to sleep. That's when it all happens.
paullenton says:
It's a paradox, really. When I want to find an idea, it doesn't come and out of the blue, a fantastic idea comes up!
daedrea says:
Since I was probably 13 or so, I started writing down my ideas...Even when I wrote tons of poetry, my idea was to have a poetry book of loves songs before I am 15(I think 15) as the younger you are the more impressed people are which would automatically make them want to buy my book. Oh, well for that dream, but I have never stopped writing my ideas down, making business plans and so on for the future. This is why I wish to get a bachelor's degree in business and major in marketing. It all started when I was less than 13 yrs of age <3
Edutopia says:
I've trained my brain to use techniques that I no longer need to consciously control to get my new ideas. In the background of my mind I'm constantly trying to synthesize everything that I learn and formulate unique ideas based on that. So to begin with it was techniques but now it is so automatic as far as I'm concerned they just appear.
lenard says:
everytime my eyes are open ideas goes through my mind
sherridan says:
They say there is no such thing as a new idea, they are all recycled or developed old ones - rings true to me, bbut then I do not see myself as creative!
JanezKranjski says:
Most ideas just pop up to my head, but at occasions I also use few techniques I developed over the time.
wolfie10 says:
i think it is a bit of both for me
fugeecat says:
i spend alot of time in car with the radio on so i have plenty of time to think.
TryphenaMaria says:
When I'm between researching and learning, but more when I'm quietly doing nothing! I need to always have my notebook handy, to right down all the good ideas that suddenly come up in my mind :)
ItayasDesigns says:
When I'm in the research and learning mode, ideas come from EVERYWHERE!
beadbait says:
I feel like checking into something, or something strikes my eye ...and off I go.
questionman says:
The more I read and listen to wise people, the better ideas come ...
cffutah says:
need to either focus on a topic or take a walk. I guess I should have click on the technique button.
makeupbrush says:
When you don't force it. Take a look of the people and things around you. When I see a potential idea, I write it down and research about it. I also try to talk to people who are from a different background than I do - a change of perspective may help.
satewas says:
They just pop into my head usually at the worse times
Morgannafay says:
I think both. I get my ideas from dreams, analyzing problems and subjects, sometimes analyzing thoughts. blindly doodling gives me a lot of ideas too. I would say after giving it some thought that my ideas come 50/50 through technique and chance.
cdevries says:
Often they just pop into my head... but I'm ready for them, because I "What if?" constantly about almost anything. But when they don't, I use brainstorming some and doodling and bubble diagrams...
TheHappinessManual says:
I let my ideas grow like a snowball because I don't define them as having an end goal. Most of the things I do in life I can trace back to being inspired by small things I saw or heard. One such goal (blogging) has evolved from small explorations for over a year now.
Chris-H says:
My ideas come out of the blue, often at night. I have to write them down as quickly as possible before they are gone. Sometimes I am amazed when I come back later and rediscover just how good some of them are.
As I say in my Bio, "I'm all about ideas!"
agoofyidea says:
Since they just appear over 80% of the time this is the one I chose. I do find that they appear more when I am distracted so maybe that is a technique.
Deeksha says:
When I think for any solution then I used to get different ways of ideas..
taylormade460 says:
Nice!
roxyv816 says:
I usually get my ideas when I roll out of bed and have a clear mind.
JoshK47 says:
They tend to just pop into my head, not sure where they come from!
ChrisDiamond says:
had to "like +1" on this one, just couldn't help it :-) Great lens!
Our mind is the biggest asset, if used properly, but also our biggest liability if it is misused.
soniya09 says:
when i thinks of ways to break monotony, i am able to come up with new ideas.
JDJ says:
Ideas come when I'm doing something mundane, like washing, shaving, or showering!
veryirie says:
I have better success when I don't try to think about it too much. Just have to make sure I get it down on paper or wordpad or something before it escapes. Quickly in, quickly out.....yikes!
bolillie says:
My best ideas come when I'm in the shower, doing household chores, driving, or working with my hands.
aesta1 says:
Often, when I am reading something I really enjoy.
HighMaintenanceFarmWife says:
Usually they just pop into my head but I'm going to try some of these techniques.
COUNTRYLUTHIER says:
I keep my office quiet most of the time. Ideas then appear more easily without competition for "front of the mind" time.
Rajays says:
I get inspired while reading, thinking and examining other related ideas. I try to improve on the ideas I just discovered.
Lisa_Maria says:
Usually when I'm thinking of anything but getting ideas. Like when I'm cooking, or just day dreaming. Or the one that is a tad frustrating, is when I get all comfy in bed, just about to drift off to sleep and then PING, it comes and I have to get my phone and write a pile of notes on it.
Ideas are good, I love inspiration.
Kimbesa says:
Take a walk, or go for a drive.
artyfax says:
I don't think I have been very structured at all the search for new ideas in the past. this is going to have to change
PaulOnBooks says:
Ideas mainly come as tangential thoughts.
norhaan says:
I get my ideas by looking back to see how I always did a certain task or played a certain game,then I began to question why I didn't do it another way.
thesuccess says:
Yes listening to other people is stimulating, in fact I've created ideas when I've actually usefully *misunderstood* what the point they were trying to make!
MTF-briguy says:
I seem to get my best ideas by listening to other people especially in conservatiosn
darciefrench says:
Self-inquiry- an endless Source -:)
Shakamon says:
For me ideas have always been easy. For me the problem is turning them off.
GospelSmith says:
Secular version: I get my mind off the need/problem do anything else, and ideas just show up. Faith-based version: I soak in God's presence, lying in bed while playing restful worship music, and I meditate on His goodness. This is where I get my best ideas. So if I use techniques, these are the ones I use. Otherwise, they just appear.
SereneSea says:
I get stunning ideas while doing routine chores, keep them locked in my memory. Come back to my desk and put them on paper.
awesomeamber says:
i write them down
stevecrenshaw says:
I brainstorm with a notebook. And usually get rid of 90% of what I come up with.
SusansZooCrew says:
When Driving a lot...........
LizMac60 says:
At night, when I should be sleeping.
LisaAuch says:
No matter what it is, even if I am in the car. I make a note of that thought, an example was I saw a woman wearing a lovely jacket, so warm and cozy, I wrote it down, and researched online, wrote an article on Squidoo about it and it was the first lens to get triple figure visits!
MarkDykeman says:
I build upon my thoughts, explore connections, and see where they lead.
EditionH says:
Most and best ideas I get doing sketchercise = walks in the landscape and sketching.
Concentrating on drawing activates other parts of the brain, in the best case I will get into a flow without any thinking/internal dialog just writing down what I see. After that on the walk home I feel totally refresehd and have many ideas.
Typaclly a sequence is 45minutes walk, 45 minutes drawing, 45 minutes walk.
Second place for ideas are art book shops. While browsing through books I often get totally unrelated ideas for my own projects.
Third place: a relaxed meal and talk with somebody, This is sometimes a bit embarrasing as I have to make a note immediately and my counterpart might think I am absent minded.
Last year I had the idea for a notebook to organise my notes better. I have created a lens about the concept which is free for use and changes to everybody. It is not life yet the link is:http://www.squidoo.com/IPANLOG-logbook-for-ideas-projects-actions-notes
SueM11 says:
Many times when I am doing something which only require physical effort I find my mind will try to think of ways to do it better. It is when I am relaxed that the creative juices come more easily. So if I am in the middle of a project, just stepping back for a while helps greatly.
Jewelsofawe says:
mostly through serendipitous events I would say
thesuccess says:
Hi Scrapbook-Events, I think it's much harder to invent a physical device/widget/gadget than create an idea or a technique. In fact this blocked me for a long time thinking of inventions with associated problems of patents and manufacturing (a good lens subject for someone?) . No ideas can be tiny improvements to things you already control. You must be always seeking ideas for your scrapbooks, I guess you carry a notebook. You suddenly think of a new material you can use, or a novel way of transforming/improving something, adding a "twist" to something that makes it more interesting. Become aware of that ideas process and then boost it!
Scrapbook-Events says:
Many times I will be working on something and I think.... Man I wish there were an easier way to do this... Then I will think of an easier way to get the job or activity done by creating widget xxxxx. The problem is, I never do anything with the idea. I have some great ideas or at least I think they are great. I just don't know what to do in order to make my idea take off.
I use Techniques
randomthings says:
I lay very quietly and just let my mind roam. Pretty soon ideas come popping through and then i write them down quickly.
crazy_anna says:
I brainstorm and just write everything that I tyhink I could make a lens out of, no matter how narrow or silly it seems at first
MyKryptoKnight says:
I usually just sit down and brainstorm, either just in my head or with a piece of paper and a pencil...
Petar says:
I get a lot of ideas, just about every day to be honest. The best ideas in my opinion are those that solve problems. The simpler the solution and the more aggravating the problem, the better the idea. I want to say that my ideas "just appear" but I know there is more to it, they just appear because of years of careful observation... so it's almost like using a "technique" but after a prolonged period of time, it seems automatic.
wendybrausch says:
Meditating helps me come up with ideas - once you manage to quieten your head it's amazing what pops in there
says:
A valuable catalyst for our family in creating ideas is in using the 'Trivium'. These three roads to learning cover the
1. knowledge stage.
2. understanding stage
3. practice stage
All through out history the royal families have also used this method.
mihgasper says:
I have so many ideas I need certain techniques to stop them coming. My problem is realization.
SoundsOfBliss says:
Write without any real purpose and just see what comes out. I also go for a long walk. That helps. Mostly I scribble on a large whiteboard.
ionee_25 says:
I have two Techniques, uncontrollable and addicting techniques...
First one is writing on word prompt, ideas are mostly based from past experiences. This one is addicting, you can find lots of them online, I saw one here on Squidoo, then I can't help it and search for more, having them printed.
And the second one is creating imaginary characters having conversations with each other..where I'm not involved, really can't help doing these, it happens the moment I wake up in the morning till I get to sleep, and whatever I'm doing..There are so many characters involve. Now this one is uncontrollable, I'm using this one to solve some problems, but it looks like it is becoming a problem. Oh my!
grantpros says:
Lots of self-teaching! I live my life on the internet. I've taught myself everything from sales and marketing to the necessary steps to incorporating my business to knitting! The possibilities are limitless!
WaynesWorld says:
Actually it is both, the clencher is whether I write it down right away or not. You know those "Million Dollar Ideas" that are so fantastic that you assume you would never forget them....?
*I wrote a couple blog posts on how to help stimulate your mind for ideas: http://nichehow.blogspot.com/2008/10/already-have-niche-just-suffering-from.html
*And
http://nichehow.blogspot.com/2008/10/success-in-candy-aisle.html
SCIENTIFIC_SCIENTIST says:
that speak with your brain daily,,.,
its true.,,,,.,.,.,.,.
nikosgr says:
When i search on the net and when i read self improvement books!!!
kworld says:
Write down, research, share, get feedback, gauge feedback and if positive or even negative (because some negative feedback is based on ignorance of the topic, yet people will still share an opinion when they do not know anything about the topic), deliver to your respective audience...
therabill says:
I listen to people. I try to find where people are having difficulties in life or work. The most helpful ideas come from listening to other peoples problems and thinking of solutions.
AmyTK9 says:
I guess mine could go under just appearing or techniques. I get most of my ideas when I'm trying to go to sleep at night, reading stuff on the internet, reading a book, or driving / riding in a car. Thanks for the great lens!
godinhora says:
In the shower, I've trained my self to frame a problem in my mind just before i fall asleep, next morning in the shower Eureka!
DinosaurEgg says:
Over the years I've found that the best approach for me is to thoroughly research a topic and then stop thinking about it. My subconscious has enough to go on and ideas appear when I'm doing something else.
Anime-e says:
I really want to learn more about this because good ideas makes or breaks your success
says:
The best ideas do not come from just one person...but from social interaction...learning from each other!
EditionH says:
I use certain techniques to get into the right mood for ideas. Also I use a professional brainstorming method to develop initial ideas further. I keep a logbook of all ideas. Usually ideas come not at the "right" or wanted moment. Only very few ideas come at the office desk, but somewhere else in relaxed situations.
I cannot force ideas but I can allow them to come and prepare favourable conditions. For me it is walking and visiting art book stores,reading books and using my sketchbooks.
jandirk says:
I start my morning saying I have a idea and just let the ideas start forming in my head while I'm reading Squidoo lenses or a book. My ideas also come from writing random words on paper.
GospelSmith says:
Ideas just appear for me, but I'm not satisfied with that. To add to the pile, I like to soak in God's presence -- ask God for wisdom, lie still in bed or in a reclining chair and play soft worship music, focus my attention on Jesus, and watch/listen for a flow of ideas.
DaveHiggsVis says:
They just appear, but I use techniques to notice them.
daxramadani says:
A bit hard for me not to get ideas through a framework
Oliversbabycarecouk says:
I get my ideas by sitting under the stars late at night in the cold and my brain just flows!
yourgoldenfuture says:
They come unexspected ...but after being prepared... when i hear binaureal music ...my mind gets very open...and I use EKS-Technique
Serenia says:
Usually I can make a new suggestion or point out a new direction, out of an idea that did not work.
Margo_Arrowsmith says:
Clustering! That is what it is!
Margo_Arrowsmith says:
Charting and making graphs helps
Ramkitten says:
I don't know if this is a technique per se, but I get some of my best ideas while hiking/walking/backpacking. Something about the movement and being outdoors is really inspiring for me. I usually have a small notepad and pen easily accessible when I'm hiking, just in case I really need to write something down.
Tipi says:
Often when I'm working on one idea, other ideas come popping along. Other times I may be talking to someone and something they may say plants idea seeds.
MarkUpshaw says:
Universal Consciousness. Intuition. Perseverance of thought.
CliveAnderson says:
I walk around using my minds eye visualising different places, shops, and even the home and garden. I'm ultimately looking for those niche micro ideas that in amongst all the every day stuff. Plus reading peoples autobiographies often leads me to a niche idea within their mainstream success methods.
rumbling says:
Mostly they just pop up and after reading this I now know the importance of jotting them down.
thepak says:
Most times, they just happen. I am usually relaxed i think. If i stay focused on something, i guess that usually pays off eventually but there is a lot more work with that process ! I kinda like the osmosis thing, where one thing leads to another. I never know where that will go, but the excitement of it keeps me interested at least, and if i keep going, something usually comes up. The #1 thing i realize now, is i GOTTA WRITE them down ! ( not yelling)
Gotta go, just got an idea ! :o) ttyl
btw, under Your choice: i see nothing? but i picked the second dot anyway.
theraggededge says:
They come from outside my head.
stevenho128 says:
Taking a hot shower sometimes works to get me in the creative mode. conversely taking a cold shower will improve your memory retention of what you just learnt. Cheers
Treasures-By-Brenda says:
They come at me from every direction! I see them in the newspaper, in magazines, on television, in conversations with friends.
Kapalbility says:
They just pop out anywhere. And I mean anywhere. Even at the gym. That's why I always carry my handy dandy notebook! We just fired out Blue's Clues!
arncyn says:
By thinking sideways/laterally. It helps to shake things up and look at things from all perspectives. It was a pretty useful technique that I learned when I was in the ad industry!
Divergent and Convergent Thinking
Convergent Thinking, in which the person is good at bringing material from a variety of sources to bear on a problem, in such a way as to produce the "correct" answer. This kind of thinking is particularly appropriate in science, maths and technology.
Divergent Thinking is inspired by creative elaboration of ideas prompted by a stimulus, and is more suited to artistic pursuits and study in the humanities. Eg the Paperclip Exercise described elsewhere.
A very creative person might combine both convergent and divergent thinking to generate a completely original idea.
SCAMPER
SCAMPER is a checklist that helps you to think of changes you can make to an existing product to create a new one. You can use these changes either as direct suggestions or as starting points for lateral thinking.
- S - Substitute - components, materials, people
- C - Combine - mix, combine with other assemblies or services, integrate
- A - Adapt - alter, change function, use part of another element
- M - Modify - increase or reduce in scale, change shape, modify attributes (e.g. colour)
- P - Put to another use
- E - Eliminate - remove elements, simplify, reduce to core functionality
- R - Reverse - turn inside out or upside down
Lateral Thinking : Edward De Bono
De Bono has detailed a range of 'deliberate thinking methods' - applications emphasizing thinking as a deliberate act rather than a reactive one. His writing style has been lauded for being simple and practical. Avoiding academic terminology, he has advanced applied psychology by making theories about creativity and perception into usable tools.
De Bono's work has become particularly popular in the sphere of business - perhaps because of the perceived need to restructure corporations, to allow more flexible working practices and to innovate in products and services. The methods have migrated into corporate training courses designed to help employees and executives think outside the box. (quote Wikipedia)
Tracking how you Create Ideas/ Exposure
Ideas often appear to arrive fully formed in your consciousness. It can be useful to spend some time tracking down where the seed of the idea came from. Often they originate in some banal event, a meeting, an overheard remark, a newspaper article.It is said that your weaker links are more important in this case than your stronger links. Stronger links are say colleagues you see frequently who can become a shield protecting you from the world. Weaker links are people who you see rarely but when you do see them are thus more likely to reveal unexpected information.
Exposure to unexpected or challenging situations is thus important for idea creation, you should seek out situations which challenge you or are outside your comfort zone, or out of character , do anything and everything to add to the cocktail of experiences that contribute to your life.
Example:- You go on vacation on your own in a foreign country although this will be uncomfortable you will likely be forced to meet new people make new connections go off on unexpected tangents.
The Elusive Obvious
The trick is to spot something is so obvious that no one has ever noticed it before
Seeing the ellusive obvious is like getting a new pair of glasses. Because every new idea that becomes a part of you, every new reality you discover makes you see the world in a new way.
Sharing and Fertilizing Your Ideas
Don't be scared to share your ideas with other people that way you can get useful feedback. While you have to avoid being discouraged by the inevitable negativity that you will get even from friends you should be discerning enough to take on criticism which points out valid problems with your idea. If you feel reluctant to share an idea it may be a sign that you inner doubts yourself SuccessTheory Blog
My Ideas Blog
Affinity Diagrams
Organizing Ideas Into Common Themes
Affinity diagrams can be used to:
* Draw out common themes from a large amount of information.
* Discover previously unseen connections between various ideas or information.
* Brainstorm root causes and solutions to a problem.
Because many decision-making exercises begin with brainstorming, this is one of the most common applications of affinity diagrams. After a brainstorming session there are usually pages of ideas. These won't have been censored or edited in any way, many of them will be very similar, and many will also be closely related to others in a variety of ways. What an affinity diagram does is start to group the ideas into themes.
From the chaos of the randomly generated ideas comes an insight into the common threads that link groups of them together. From there the solution or best idea often emerges quite naturally. This is why affinity diagrams are so powerful and why the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers consider them one of the "seven management tools."
Million Dollar Ideas
Well I haven't had one yet so this section is rather empty! Here are some jokey ones
Brain Foods for Idea Creation
The role of micronutrients in age-related cognitive decline is being increasingly studied. Fruits and beverages such as tea, red wine, cocoa, and coffee are major dietary sources of polyphenols, micronutrients found in plant-derived foods. The largest subclass of dietary polyphenols is flavonoids, and it has been reported in the past that those who consume lots of flavonoids have a lower incidence of dementia.
Idea Creation Formula
The components that make up your creative ability
So the Formula is
Chance of Creativity= Past Experiences+Environment+Education+Study+Previous Successes+Previous Failures+Career+Imagination+Time Spent Reflecting+Hobbies+Interests+Stimulating Friends/Colleagues+Exposure to New Situations+Previous Exposure to Challenging environments+Open Mindedness+Analytical Capacity
- Your Formal Education Formal and your Continuing Self-Education
- Your country, culture, religion
- Your jobs , employment, profession
- Your hobbies, interests, sports
- What you've read
- Your friends and colleagues
- General Open Mindedness, Lack of Prejudice
- Your Curiosity
The Importance of Weak Associations or Links in Idea Creation
Your social circle, family, work colleagues are your strong links these are people you see frequently, the danger is however that can become a barrier between you and new experiences. Weak links are say an old school friend you happen to bump into at a conference or on a flight.Weak ties can provide you with information that you might otherwise not have come in contact with, something our closest associates, who share very similar experiences, cannot do. Why does this happen? well the Weak Link can help you see perspective, offer unexpected advice, criticism, or suggest people you might contact. They might have succeeded, failed, dropped out, changed religion in some way or other they might surprise challenge you, things your strong links rarely do. They might embarrass you by asking if you've achieved your dreams.
So why not phone or email an old colleague now?
Creative Lenses
Hubs, Networks
Hubs are strong links to like-minded people
Ideation is Idea Creation
Yes this is an actual word and not new either
1. to form an idea, thought, or image of.
-verb (used without object)
2. to form ideas; think.
-noun
So what have you ideating today?
ThinkerToys
The book gives you several methodologies (ThinkerToys) where you can map or draw out ways of analysing a problem or concept or proposal in order to create new ideas.
Unusually for Creative Thinking Books it's very readable and easy to digest, you don't even need to read it any particular order.
How to Set Up a Create or Brainstorming Session for a Group
- Start with a "fun" creative exercise for example the "Uses of a Paperclip" Exercise
- Divide your group up, either deliberately into natural groups eg male, female, department etc or do the opposite mixed groups.
- Give each group an identifying funny hat or badge. Try and be creative and or provocative with each group's name/badge/hat (break the ice)
- Now do 10 minutes or so theory, breaking down a problem, moving elements about, challenging assumptions, etc
- Now move on to the main brain storming session once again have prepared hand outs, give each other the same task and then see get them to compare solutions and ideas or give them each a part of the problem.
- Monitor the groups, provide a few hints where necessary, after a few hesitant steps the group will take over and your presence will happily be superfluous!
Props/Equipment for a Creative Brainstorming Session
- Flipcharts, one for each group
- Different Colored Post-It Notes, Markers. Get Everyone to write an idea on a post-it note stick them on to a board then move them about and mix them
- New Toilet Paper Rolls, get the groups to write an idea/proposal on these, then make a pyramid. Then (importantly) get them to rearrange the pyramid to better structure/mix up the ideas. (Another great ice breaker)
- Whiteboards with markers
Rules for a Brainstorming Session
from http://www.brainstorming.co.uk
- Rule 1: Postpone and withhold your judgment of ideas
- Rule 2: Encourage wild and exaggerated ideas
- Rule 3: Quantity counts at this stage, not quality
- Rule 4: Build on the ideas put forward by others
- Rule 5: Every person and every idea has equal worth
Idea Creation Quiz
There are not necessarily any right or wrong answers but this quiz will help you define your own Idea Creation Strategy.
Select the answer that you like best, don't worry what might be the "winning" answer.
Note Taking, List Making, De-Briefing
How to Capture Ideas, Knowledge and Learning
- During Pauses, Coffee Breaks, Make a list of everything you need to do, ideas you've had
- Debriefing Yourself : When ever your return from a talk, meeting, exhibition or whatever debrief yourself note down what you learnt, promised, proposed, ideas had while your memory is still fresh (VITAL)
- Become a compulsive Note Taker. Note taking is a vital part of analysing what you've just heard and at the same time fixing it or memorising it
Kipling Technique
I have six honest serving men
They taught me all I knew
I call them What and Where and When
And How and Why and Who
* What is the problem? My suitcase is too heavy
* Where is it happening? At the airport
* When is it happening? In the evening, coming back from France
* Why is it happening? Because I have bought wine
* How can you overcome this problem? Get the wine shipped
* Who do you need to get involved? Winery will do it for me
* When will you know you have solved the problem? When it arrives at home
A Whack on the Side of the Head
Crawford's Slip Writing Method/ Group Brainstorming
(photocopy the slips beforehand)
The benefit of using this type of group brainstorming is not only in the variety of ideas and solutions that can be triggered: It also helps people get involved and feel that their contributions are valued. Writing rather than speaking during the group brainstorming can have added advantages: It allows individuals' thoughts to flow freely on to paper without interruption, and it can also level the playing field between quieter and more outspoken participants, allowing people to contribute equally.
There are two techniques one idea per slip, or a grid with room for several.
This can be done in teams, with an elected team captain collating ideas.
You can then have a showdown between teams.
Catalog all ideas and then email then to all participants
The Back of the Napkin
So many projects, products and businesses start off this way!
Have you taken part in a Brainstorming Session Poll
Idea Creation Strategy
Produce more ideas
Here are several ways to produce more ideas:
- Capture all ideas : A basic way to increase the quantity of ideas is simply to avoid losing ideas. Don't let an idea slip by once it comes to you. Whenever you get an idea, capture it as soon as possible. Write it down or record it. Always carry a notebook.
- Don't filter your ideas : By definition, filtering your ideas will reduce the number of ideas you have. Even if an idea doesn't look good, let it sit for now. Later you might see it from a different perspective which shows the usefulness of the idea. If it doesn't, you can always trash it later.
- Find more ideas than you need : If you need five ideas, find ten. If you need ten ideas, find twenty. Finding more ideas than you need is good because you can then choose the best out of them.
- Produce ideas consistently : Keep producing ideas regardless of your mood. If you are a blogger, keep writing posts. If you are a designer, keep creating new designs. If you are a programmer, keep writing codes. Allocate time for it and make it a habit.
- Use Free Writing : In free time create lists, just write something, debrief what you've just done, prepare for what you going to do
- Create an Expectancy/Excitement about the Ideas you are soon to create:
Left Brain - Right Brain
Uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
The Wonder of Free Time for Idea Creation
I was on the train and got my notepad out and started jotting down notes but nothing came. Finally had my first idea, second idea then came an idea rush I was in the Idea Zone. This is how idea generation seems to work so don't get immediately frustrated.
How Many Ideas Are There?
How Many Lightbulb or Eureka Moments?
"Everything that can be invented - has already been invented" Attributed to Charles Duell, Commissioner of the United States Patent Office, 1899
"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible," ... Lord Kelvin, President Royal Society, 1895
Some people attribute ideas and creativity to some universal or supernatural force, whatever the truth I know that I can improve my idea productivity by personal brainstorming by positive thinking and by expectancy.
Edward de Bono Six Thinking Hats
White Hat thinking
This covers facts, figures, information needs and gaps. "I think we need some white hat thinking at this point..." means Let's drop the arguments and proposals, and look at the data base."
Red Hat thinking
This covers intuition, feelings and emotions. The red hat allows the thinker to put forward an intuition without any ned to justify it. "Putting on my red hat, I think this is a terrible proposal." Ususally feelings and intuition can only be introduced into a discussion if they are supported by logic. Usually the feeling is genuine but the logic is spurious.The red hat gives full permission to a thinker to put forward his or her feelings on the subject at the moment.
Black Hat thinking
This is the hat of judgment and caution. It is a most valuable hat. It is not in any sense an inferior or negative hat. The rior or negative hat. The black hat is used to point out why a suggestion does not fit the facts, the available experience, the system in use, or the policy that is being followed. The black hat must always be logical.
Yellow Hat thinking
This is the logical positive. Why something will work and why it will offer benefits. It can be used in looking forward to the results of some proposed action, but can also be used to find something of value in what has already happened.
Green Hat thinking
This is the hat of creativity, alternatives, proposals, what is interesting, provocations and changes.
Blue Hat thinking
This is the overview or process control hat. It looks not at the subject itself but at the 'thinking' about the subject. "Putting on my blue hat, I feel we should do some more green hat thinking at this point." In technical terms, the blue hat is concerned with meta-cognition.
Offline Places to Find Ideas
- Newsagents : Check what magazines are being sold, what are the headlines
- Libraries : Check the recently returned books shelves
- Libraries : Check the recently bought books shelves
- People: Listen to people in lines, the coffee bar, what are moaning about
- Avoid Newspapers: Too much gloom, negativity, confirming what you already know
Online Places to Look for Ideas
- eBay Best Selling Items See what's Selling
- Amazon Best eller List by Category
- EzineArticles Everything under the Sun
- Google Trends
- Ask.com Look at Alternative Keywords,Phrases suggested on the right of the screen
Contention : There is Always an Workaround or Solution to any Problem
Given time and effort there is always a tactic
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Creating More Ideas in a Nutshell
- Ideas in your head are useless, get them written down as quickly as possible, keep a log/diary
- Expose yourself to new experiences, try new things, experiment
- Become conscious of when and how an Idea pops into your head
- Use odd spare time to jot down to do lists, this will stimulate idea creation
- Look forward to the Ideas you are going to have!
Creativity Exercises
Boost Your Observation Skills
- Play Sherlock Holmes: Discretely choose one passer by and try and guess as much about that person as possible
- Look at what people have put in their Supermarket Trolley and then try guess their life style
Best Environment for Brainstorming Ideas
So mood and ambiance play a role. That's why professional brainstormers often go to a nice hotel.
Sherlock Holmes used to go to concert when he had a difficult case to solve, much to Watson's consternation who thought that he wasn't taking things seriously.
Idea and Creativity Quotes
Idea Tips
- Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.John Steinbeck
- When I'm inspired, I get excited because I can't wait to see what I'll come up with next. Dolly Parton
Love This Lens?
Help Spread Ideas
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
Are You Going to Take Idea Creation more Seriously?
Your Creativity Techniques or Tips
Become aware of your own Idea Creation Process
You can increase your idea generation ability by having your idea radar switched on all the time. You can certainly teach yourself to recognize and classify the ideas you create. You can start an idea diary.
Now that I am actively monitoring my own Idea Creation Process I am finding that what I had thought had come out of no-where actually originated from a specific event or stimulus. Once the germ of the idea had been subconsciously sown days weeks or months might pass before the idea apparently just popped out.
Become Excited About your Idea Creation Ability
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randomthings
May 19, 2012 @ 4:27 pm | delete
- This is very cool. So much information.
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crazy_anna
May 12, 2012 @ 2:19 pm | delete
- great lens! I learned a ton!
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wildfia
May 9, 2012 @ 5:24 pm | delete
- Really great lens. Thanks for the tips!
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stargoldteam12
May 9, 2012 @ 11:45 am | delete
- Great lens. I like it.......
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Pankaj
May 8, 2012 @ 10:32 pm | delete
- Thank you very much for your idea's. Its great to know from your side. Thanks. Wish all your dreams come true. God bless :)
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no2eragonfan
May 6, 2012 @ 11:07 am | delete
- Thanks! Great, useful lense which I'm sure to use.
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SoundFinance May 2, 2012 @ 9:18 pm | delete
- What a great lens!
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Petar
Apr 29, 2012 @ 10:11 am | delete
- What a great lens, and very interesting subject.
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JoyfulReviewer
Apr 28, 2012 @ 12:05 pm | delete
- Thanks for sharing these helpful tips on creating ideas ... well done! ~~Blessed~~
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RusticWeddingGuy
Apr 27, 2012 @ 12:58 pm | delete
- Thank you for your creative ideas. We will pass them along to friends
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Tipi
Apr 17, 2012 @ 6:42 pm | delete
- Hmmm, guess I must have blessed this in the last several months as the thumb went green but not showing on my dash. I must have missed the quiz before or it was added after I was here because that worked.
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Tipi
Apr 17, 2012 @ 6:39 pm | delete
- Returning to bless this excellence!...*
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3levels
Apr 9, 2012 @ 3:21 am | delete
- A really helpful, comprehensive and interesting lens. Thank you. I have a book suggestion for you: "The Creative Manager" by Roger Evans & Peter Russell. In chapter 3 they outline a six-stage creative process that brings in the psychological aspect of "frustration" which you might like.
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CNelson01
Apr 8, 2012 @ 11:21 am | delete
- Comprehensive and informative, this lens was a good idea.
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Vortrek_Grafix Apr 3, 2012 @ 3:58 pm | delete
- Realize that all ideas are arbitrary relative to environment and past experiences. Accept the validity of anything logically plausible, despite any personal preconceptions. When you write, try to interpret rather than regurgitate the basics in different words. When listening to music, try to imagine how you might play along if you were playing an accompanying instrument (humming is often all you need for that).
Or, take up sculpture, drawing, graphic design, clay modeling, or anything else from which you start with a generic form and create something new from scratch. Using the creative neural networks begets more of these precious links and eventually makes loose associations with every creative resource your mind has to offer. Creativity rocks!
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Self Improvement
Torrance Creativity Tests
How to Measure Creativity
It is surmised that that the education system has boosted children's intelligence but somehow stifled their creativity.
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Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation
Number One at Amazon by Steven Johnson
Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation
Amazon Price: $3.61 (as of 05/21/2012)
1. The adjacent possible - the principle that at any given moment, extraordinary change is possible but that only certain changes can occur (this describes those who create ideas that are ahead of their time and whose ideas reach their ultimate potential years later).
2. Liquid networks - the nature of the connections that enable ideas to be born, to be nurtured and to blossom and how these networks are formed and grown.
3. The slow hunch - the acceptance that creativity doesn't guarantee an instant flash of insight but rather, germinates over time before manifesting.
4.Serendipity - the notion that while happy accidents help allow creativity to flourish, it is the nature of how our ideas are freely shared, how they connect with other ideas and how we perceive the connection at a specific moment that creates profound results.
5. Error - the realization that some of our greatest ideas didn't come as a result of a flash of insight that followed a number of brilliant successes but rather, that some of those successes come as a result of one or more spectacular failures that produced a brilliant result.
6. Exaptation - the principle of seizing existing components or ideas and repurposing them for a completely different use (for example, using a GPS unit to find your way to a reunion with a long-lost friend when GPS technology was originally created to help us accurately bomb another country into oblivion).
7. Platforms - adapting many layers of existing knowledge, components, delivery mechanisms and such that in themselves may not be unique but which can be recombined or leveraged into something new that is unique or novel.
Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content
Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 05/21/2012)
Readers find this book helpful and practical
