Ideas, Ideas, How to Create More Ideas
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...13 points
Go for a Morning Walk
There's something refreshing and invigorating abou more...5 points
Go to Bed and Try to Sleep
You will often be bombarded with ideas that keep y more...5 points
Reading Books
Reading Books on a particular topic by a famous Au more...5 points
Lateral Thinking
Out of the Box thinking methods developed by Edwar more...4 points
Exposing your Ideas to Critics
Get useful advice and or be made aware of flaws. B more...4 points
There's no such thing as a bad idea!
Bad ideas are good ideas that are just not relevan more...4 points
Add Your Individuality
Learn enough of a subject that you can add a new s more...4 points
Be Just a Little Bit Crazy?
Is this a necessary ingredient for a brilliantly o more...3 points
Reading Books
Reading Books on a particular topic by a famous Au more...3 points
Elusive Obvious
Developing the capacity to re-examine almost anyth more...1 point
The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas
Linus Pauling0 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
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byThey just appear
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
Posted January 31, 2012
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.
Posted January 30, 2012
lenard says:
everytime my eyes are open ideas goes through my mind
Posted January 08, 2012
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!
Posted January 03, 2012
JanezKranjski says:
Most ideas just pop up to my head, but at occasions I also use few techniques I developed over the time.
Posted December 02, 2011
fugeecat says:
i spend alot of time in car with the radio on so i have plenty of time to think.
Posted November 15, 2011
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 :)
Posted November 11, 2011
ItayasDesigns says:
When I'm in the research and learning mode, ideas come from EVERYWHERE!
Posted November 10, 2011
beadbait says:
I feel like checking into something, or something strikes my eye ...and off I go.
Posted November 05, 2011
questionman says:
The more I read and listen to wise people, the better ideas come ...
Posted November 03, 2011
cffutah says:
need to either focus on a topic or take a walk. I guess I should have click on the technique button.
Posted October 25, 2011
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.
Posted October 24, 2011
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.
Posted October 07, 2011
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...
Posted October 04, 2011
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.
Posted September 13, 2011
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!"
Posted September 12, 2011
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.
Posted September 05, 2011
Deeksha says:
When I think for any solution then I used to get different ways of ideas..
Posted September 02, 2011
roxyv816 says:
I usually get my ideas when I roll out of bed and have a clear mind.
Posted July 23, 2011
JoshK47 says:
They tend to just pop into my head, not sure where they come from!
Posted July 13, 2011
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.
Posted July 12, 2011
soniya09 says:
when i thinks of ways to break monotony, i am able to come up with new ideas.
Posted June 28, 2011
JDJ says:
Ideas come when I'm doing something mundane, like washing, shaving, or showering!
Posted June 13, 2011
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!
Posted June 06, 2011
bolillie says:
My best ideas come when I'm in the shower, doing household chores, driving, or working with my hands.
Posted May 11, 2011
HighMaintenanceFarmWife says:
Usually they just pop into my head but I'm going to try some of these techniques.
Posted March 06, 2011
COUNTRYLUTHIER says:
I keep my office quiet most of the time. Ideas then appear more easily without competition for "front of the mind" time.
Posted February 27, 2011
Rajays says:
I get inspired while reading, thinking and examining other related ideas. I try to improve on the ideas I just discovered.
Posted February 21, 2011
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.
Posted February 07, 2011
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
Posted January 19, 2011
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.
Posted December 12, 2010
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!
Posted December 08, 2010
MTF-briguy says:
I seem to get my best ideas by listening to other people especially in conservatiosn
Posted December 07, 2010
Shakamon says:
For me ideas have always been easy. For me the problem is turning them off.
Posted November 14, 2010
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.
Posted November 13, 2010
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.
Posted November 13, 2010
stevecrenshaw says:
I brainstorm with a notebook. And usually get rid of 90% of what I come up with.
Posted November 08, 2010
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!
Posted September 28, 2010
MarkDykeman says:
I build upon my thoughts, explore connections, and see where they lead.
Posted May 22, 2010
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
Posted February 18, 2010
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.
Posted November 29, 2009
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!
Posted September 08, 2009
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.
Posted September 07, 2009
I use Techniques
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!
Posted February 02, 2012
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!
Posted January 29, 2012
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
Posted January 19, 2012
SCIENTIFIC_SCIENTIST says:
that speak with your brain daily,,.,
its true.,,,,.,.,.,.,.
Posted December 12, 2011
nikosgr says:
When i search on the net and when i read self improvement books!!!
Posted November 18, 2011
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...
Posted October 30, 2011
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.
Posted September 09, 2011
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!
Posted September 09, 2011
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!
Posted August 13, 2011
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.
Posted August 09, 2011
Anime-e says:
I really want to learn more about this because good ideas makes or breaks your success
Posted July 08, 2011
says:
The best ideas do not come from just one person...but from social interaction...learning from each other!
Posted June 13, 2011
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.
Posted June 06, 2011
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.
Posted May 26, 2011
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.
Posted May 24, 2011
Oliversbabycarecouk says:
I get my ideas by sitting under the stars late at night in the cold and my brain just flows!
Posted February 21, 2011
yourgoldenfuture says:
They come unexspected ...but after being prepared... when i hear binaureal music ...my mind gets very open...and I use EKS-Technique
Posted January 21, 2011
Serenia says:
Usually I can make a new suggestion or point out a new direction, out of an idea that did not work.
Posted January 08, 2011
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.
Posted November 17, 2010
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.
Posted November 08, 2010
MarkUpshaw says:
Universal Consciousness. Intuition. Perseverance of thought.
Posted October 20, 2010
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.
Posted October 10, 2010
rumbling says:
Mostly they just pop up and after reading this I now know the importance of jotting them down.
Posted September 18, 2010
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.
Posted September 06, 2010
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
Posted May 10, 2010
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.
Posted December 15, 2009
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!
Posted December 01, 2009
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!
Posted November 29, 2009
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
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAffinity 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.
But what tips or tricks do you use?
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ionee_25
Feb 1, 2012 @ 11:47 pm | delete
- Thank you for this lens. It is very helpful.
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daedrea
Jan 31, 2012 @ 6:59 am | delete
- loved this lens...it pretty much described part of who I am and what I do for fun :)
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Edutopia
Jan 30, 2012 @ 11:08 pm | delete
- Great lens. Whatever it takes to get people into the mindset of idea creation the better and if that is the reliance on techniques then so be it.
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Lindrus
Jan 27, 2012 @ 3:53 pm | delete
- Great lens! Gave me some good ideas...
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TheCureForYouthMinistry
Jan 5, 2012 @ 11:20 am | delete
- This is a great lens! I'll be back.
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Dec 13, 2011 @ 11:40 am | delete
- You have done a wonderful job on this lens, and creating new ideas in my mind. Thank you for the inspiration. Have a wonderful day.
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ekkoautos
Dec 6, 2011 @ 3:01 am | delete
- thanks for sharing
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Lifeboost
Nov 28, 2011 @ 3:12 pm | delete
- I'm full of ideas, my challenge is finding the time to put them all into practice! :) What a fabulous lens! Heartily blessed! :)
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wolfie10
Nov 24, 2011 @ 9:46 pm | delete
- i am learning how to use mind mapping. brilliant idea to create ideas
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fugeecat
Nov 15, 2011 @ 6:13 pm | delete
- I often just let my mind start wandering after I have thought about a problem for a little while. Then a solution will come to.
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TryphenaMaria
Nov 11, 2011 @ 6:34 am | delete
- Great lens, I love it!
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ItayasDesigns
Nov 10, 2011 @ 7:57 pm | delete
- Wonderful article! Bookmarking to refer back to often. Thank you! :)
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SAPearl
Nov 8, 2011 @ 9:50 pm | delete
- Wow, this lens has so many ideas within it, never mind the ideas it will help to create! I also wanted to thank you. 2 months ago you left one of the first comments I ever received on one of my first ever lens, about time management. It was encouragement like this that helped me to really dedicate myself to creating more, and better, lenses. So, thank you.
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questionman
Nov 3, 2011 @ 12:14 pm | delete
- Great lens! One of my favourite. Going to visit it very often!
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privresearch
Oct 26, 2011 @ 4:48 pm | delete
- This is one excellent lens! I will definitely revisit.
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cffutah
Oct 25, 2011 @ 9:21 am | delete
- good lens to revisit as you've got alot of good information here. 'thumbs up' from this reader.
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adamfrench
Oct 8, 2011 @ 5:15 pm | delete
- Impressive lens, thumbs up
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Brett
Oct 5, 2011 @ 5:47 am | delete
- OMG.. I have never though of getting so many ideas at the same place. I think this is very useful for everyone. You have provided so many resources here. I am gonna read this article again & again to train my mind in a proper way. It will help me getting my Small Business IT Support up.
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cdevries
Oct 4, 2011 @ 3:58 pm | delete
- A wonderful Lens on an important subject.
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ana_nimoss
Oct 3, 2011 @ 1:32 am | delete
- Great lens. I learned a great deal from you. Thank you.
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Chris-H
Sep 12, 2011 @ 4:51 am | delete
- I've learned (the hard way) how fleeting even the best ideas can be. So I've taken to carry a notepad or even a folded up piece of paper in my pocket and a pen. Whenever I have an idea I jot down some notes about it immediately. Beyond that I don't try to hold onto it too tightly.
I've found using this method seems to keep my subconscious fully engaged in the idea. Often an hour or two later I'll have a literal torrent of ideas related to the first one. So much so that I'll have trouble getting it all down.
After that, the next (and most important) step is ACTION. I've learned not to let my ideas grow cold.
Thanks for a great lens! How appropriate that my Capcha image for this comment is "creative" :p
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AmyTK9
Sep 9, 2011 @ 1:35 am | delete
- Excellent!!! Thank you so much for building this lens! It has helped me a lot and gave me a lot of ideas already! Looking forward to putting more ideas to use!
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moneyelect
Sep 8, 2011 @ 5:03 am | delete
- Creative lens. love it.
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agoofyidea
Sep 5, 2011 @ 9:50 pm | delete
- Great lens. Lots of ideas to apply to my thinking. Thanks.
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Deeksha
Sep 2, 2011 @ 1:47 am | delete
- Wow it is a very great lens. The one which has directly impressed me and effected my brain. Great idea about creating a lens about Idea.
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franstan
Aug 11, 2011 @ 8:16 pm | delete
- Blessed by a visiting Squid Angel
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franstan
Aug 10, 2011 @ 10:08 am | delete
- Great lens.
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thesuccess
Jul 12, 2011 @ 11:56 am | delete
- When I have a good idea I've noticed that I think "Well that's obvious why didn't I think of that before" but thing is I hadn't.
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Padaneis
Jul 10, 2011 @ 5:34 pm | delete
- This lens is really...a great idea! Thank you. Thumbs up and bookmarked.
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artyfax
Jun 25, 2011 @ 5:17 am | delete
- I have read this before and bookmarked it ! However, just come back across it and decidied that I would have to take more positive action. I said the last time that I would have to change my approach to generating ideas but it appears that I slipped into old ways. This time I am going to keep a journal and make sure that I keep a list of ideas and how I got them. Using some of these techniques will be mandatory. Great lens, THanks
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thesuccess
Jun 25, 2011 @ 6:54 am | delete
- Artyfax,
Given half a chance we slip into our old ways! As you say writing ideas down in a journal is the best way
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veryirie
Jun 6, 2011 @ 6:11 pm | delete
- I've learned a LOT from this lens. Bookmarking SCAMPER, figuring out I need to don other hats besides the green one all the time (lol). Thank you; sometimes I forget that brainstorming can be more effective when you're not constantly yelling stuff out loud. ha Very good exercises here designed for anybody. Again, thank you!
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EditionH
Jun 6, 2011 @ 8:15 am | delete
- The best ideas come in situations without stress or pressure, also after body exercise like walking or jogging I tend to have more often ideas. For graphic design ideas seem to emerge almost automatically if I spend enough time with drawing an sketching suddenly an idea will become visible.
One of my ideas/inventions is the IPAN log (there is a lens on Squidoo about it) a logbook that I use to keep track of all my ideas and projetcs etc.
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GospelSmith May 24, 2011 @ 8:48 am | delete
- I unconsciously use a lot of these ideas. Free time and playfulness are among my favorites.
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DaveHiggsVis May 16, 2011 @ 7:19 pm | delete
- Such an awesome lens! Thanks!!
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ElizabethJeanAllen
May 10, 2011 @ 8:09 pm | delete
- Thanks. I tend to stick to a few techniques which allows others to flutter away.
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aesta1
May 5, 2011 @ 6:16 pm | delete
- I do have a notebook but often, the ideas come when it is not possible to reach out for the notebook so I train my mind to remember but I lose many. What a great lens.
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aesta1
May 5, 2011 @ 6:16 pm | delete
- I do have a notebook but often, the ideas come when it is not possible to reach out for the notebook so I train my mind to remember but I lose many. What a great lens.
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rhonney
May 5, 2011 @ 11:40 am | delete
- nice one!!
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daxramadani
Apr 14, 2011 @ 7:21 am | delete
- Great posts! Let's connect and share experience
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careermom
Apr 3, 2011 @ 2:46 pm | delete
- Lots of great ideas. I tend to brainstorm often on a napkin or scrap piece of paper but I'm definitely going to try some of these ideas
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UKGhostwriter
Mar 21, 2011 @ 9:27 am | delete
- Great inspiration!
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hoter
Mar 21, 2011 @ 9:02 am | delete
- Nice lens.Great informative ideas.Thanks for sharing. strategic planning software
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kguru1979
Mar 10, 2011 @ 8:20 pm | delete
- Wow ...cool. .. Thanks for such great idea collection...!
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Stansky Mar 8, 2011 @ 1:32 am | delete
- I like the idea of writing ideas down. Don't know how many I've lost because I planned to write it down in the morning or when I get home. I have started using the "notes" on my phone to help me remember. Works like a dream.
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JeremiahStanghini Feb 24, 2011 @ 1:07 pm | delete
- Saw this lens linked in your forum signature and because I recently came across a blog post on this topic from Dan Pink, NYT Best-selling author, I thought I would post a comment (I think I might have when I first came to it awhile back).
Anyway, Pink's post on February 18th (I think) talks about thinking up BAD ideas can actually help us come up with good ideas. He cites an example of writers trying to write an episode of a sitcom, so one writer will come up with a horrible idea (in part to keep the others from continually thinking up bad ideas). Because they have this bad idea that's in front of them, they can focus on how to make it better, rather than come up with someone brand new (and good) from the start. :-)
Might be a nice addition to this lens. ;-)
With Love and Gratitude,
Jeremiah
PS: But it's already pretty thorough.... :-D
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Oliversbabycarecouk
Feb 21, 2011 @ 4:25 pm | delete
- Great lens - well done! I seem to get my ideas from sitting outside in the cold under the stars and my brain just flows and i get so many great ideas - thanks for the ideas though! x
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Lisa_Maria Feb 7, 2011 @ 4:28 pm | delete
- Really good lens, thank you for even more inspiration. It is now on my favourites.
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Kimbesa
Feb 5, 2011 @ 10:53 pm | delete
- Thanks! I appreciate this good meal of brain food! **angel blessed**
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carolbrusegar
Jan 31, 2011 @ 10:09 am | delete
- One of my favorite techniques is mind mapping. But alas, I am pretty sporadic when it comes to intentional creativity. But that will change now that I've found this lens. I'm blown away (and a bit overwhelmed)! FABULOUS collection of information. You certainly deserve the Purple Star!!
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yourgoldenfuture
Jan 21, 2011 @ 1:21 pm | delete
- i have many tips and tricks... some are already on my lenses...
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artyfax
Jan 19, 2011 @ 5:23 am | delete
- wow, I have had my eyes opened to creative thinking and idea generation. Thanks for the lens, it is going to be extremely useful
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Senora_M
Dec 24, 2010 @ 4:26 pm | delete
- Very cool lens. Looks like you spent a lot of time on it. Congrats on the purple star! Lots of great information!!
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Pixelhound
Dec 17, 2010 @ 11:25 pm | delete
- Great lens,
It is OK having tons of ideas but it is knowing which ones to act on that I struggle with especially when it comes to internet stuff it`s so time consuming! A lot of success stories come about by accident and good luck.
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javrsmith
Dec 10, 2010 @ 11:07 am | delete
- Getting the ideas down on paper first is great. Brainstorming, expanding and working on implementation is then important. I'm getting an idea diary today. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
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MTF-briguy
Dec 7, 2010 @ 6:55 pm | delete
- Very informative site..jotted down a few tips, thanks!
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Sami4u
Dec 3, 2010 @ 2:52 pm | delete
- Hi,
A sprinkling of Angel Dust for Christmas :)
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GrinningFool
Dec 3, 2010 @ 4:21 am | delete
- Thank you for a timely lens. Always having a rough time coming up with new ideas. Now I have a few more tools to help me out.
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darciefrench
Nov 23, 2010 @ 10:53 am | delete
- Another fabulous lens for improving mental health on November Blessings. Well worthy of a hearty angel blessing!
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Margo_Arrowsmith
Nov 21, 2010 @ 12:34 pm | delete
- Product looks good, maybe soon. But I have lensrolled this to Keeping Your Brain Fit and Beautiful!
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WhitePineLane
Nov 20, 2010 @ 11:35 am | delete
- Wow, fabulous lens - fascinating stuff! To return your phrase to you: it's master class! (I genuinely mean that!) I've read A Whack on the Side of the Head, and fortunately, I LOVE dark chocolate, green tea, and drinking wine in moderation! Now to try a few more of these tips.... Thanks for sharing this info! *Blessed by a Squid Angel*
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mcochs
Nov 15, 2010 @ 11:38 am | delete
- Awesme lens,great ideas!
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SereneSea
Nov 13, 2010 @ 11:11 am | delete
- Many a times we just kill or ideas by blockages, very practical aspects have been brought in this lens.
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Tipi
Nov 8, 2010 @ 9:23 pm | delete
- The subconcious hasn't been given enough credit has it? I think if we let it, it will do most of the work for us. Excellent work here!
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LizMac60 Nov 3, 2010 @ 4:34 pm | delete
- Very interesting. I shall come back to dip in again.
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LisaAuch
Nov 3, 2010 @ 2:55 am | delete
- I loved this the first time I read it, and I have re-visited to Bless as a SquidAngel.
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jgelien
Nov 2, 2010 @ 2:23 am | delete
- This is a very interesting topic and I'm glad you wrote a lens about it. Thanks for all the advice.
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janices7 Oct 21, 2010 @ 12:25 pm | delete
- Just wanted to let you know that I featured this great "ideas" lens on my new Squidoo Earnings and Lensmaster Survey.
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MarkUpshaw
Oct 20, 2010 @ 11:37 pm | delete
- Smart lens. Very useful and appreciated.
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LensbyLisa
Oct 12, 2010 @ 9:20 pm | delete
- Great inspirational lens! Angel blessings to you!
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- Wow - what a lot of great ideas for thinking of ideas here :) My problem has never really been coming up with ideas....my problem is coming up with the time to execute my ideas. Thanks for sharing all this interesting info!
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thesuccess
Oct 8, 2010 @ 2:13 pm | delete
- Thinking recursively: You need to come up with ideas to solve your time problems or come up with a strategy!
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WriterBuzz
Oct 4, 2010 @ 5:18 am | delete
- Very cool lens. Informative and fun. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs Up given.
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Twmarsh
Sep 29, 2010 @ 5:34 pm | delete
- You have really done a great job accumulating a great deal of idea info. Congrats on the Purple Star!
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LisaAuch
Sep 28, 2010 @ 2:14 am | delete
- This is a great Article, and I will return many times, a great way to help think "outside the box" I really enjoyed this. Thankyou
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NeuroPhite
Sep 27, 2010 @ 10:47 am | delete
- Veeery helpful, thanks!
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rumbling Sep 18, 2010 @ 12:21 am | delete
- Such a beautifully written lens, I especially like the section "Ideas don't have to be big" , its amazing how we tend to ignore simple things like that
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thesuccess
Sep 18, 2010 @ 3:50 am | delete
- Rumbling: That held me back for years thinking that I had to invent the next iPhone
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skiesgreen
Jul 14, 2010 @ 7:16 pm | delete
- Returned with *-*Blessing*-* and to feature this lens on Sprinkled with Stardust and also on How to Write Well.
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thesuccess
Jul 15, 2010 @ 3:24 pm | delete
- Skiesgreen thanks for your angel's blessing which was very welcome and encouraging
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theraggededge
May 15, 2010 @ 9:38 am | delete
- There are always at least 3 good ideas sloshing around in one bottle of red wine! This lens is ageing beautifully and it has occurred to me to leave a blessing :-)
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aesta1
May 12, 2010 @ 6:24 am | delete
- Wow...this is just a wealth of information. I had a chance to listen to de Bono 20 or so years ago and it started me thinking different ways of looking at situations or objects. Sometimes, kids are the best help. they put freshness into many things.
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WindyWinters
Apr 4, 2010 @ 3:18 pm | delete
- Congratulations on your Purple Star. Thank you for sharing your resources and tips on ideas. This lens has many brilliant ideas on all sorts of topics. Have a Happy Easter! :)
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thesuccess
Apr 4, 2010 @ 3:38 pm | delete
- WindyWinters you are the first and your thanks are most welcome I can assure you, hoping that your Easter weather is better than it is here in Blighty!
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dezwards Mar 9, 2010 @ 3:38 pm | delete
- Excellent lens. Tons of really helpful info, many thanks!
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feasibilitystudytemplate Mar 2, 2010 @ 10:08 am | delete
- ideas can give a great solution to a problem and it should start on a feasibility study
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Wordwinder
Feb 28, 2010 @ 2:39 am | delete
- This lens itself is one great idea! Very well made.
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jerri iverson
Feb 14, 2010 @ 10:46 am | delete
- music has inspired many of my ideas - but don't limit yourself on the types of music
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thesuccess
Feb 14, 2010 @ 5:14 pm | delete
- Music is a great way to create abstract thoughts and ideas
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arncyn
Jan 15, 2010 @ 12:33 pm | delete
- I've always loved this lens so I'm back to dust some *angel blessings*
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thesuccess
Jan 15, 2010 @ 12:43 pm | delete
- Arncyn, You are welcome back at any time and thanks for the Angel dust
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Point out
Jan 7, 2010 @ 12:50 pm | delete
- Congratulations on your well-deserved 2009 Giant Squid Award ,great idea
point out team
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WindyWinters
Jan 3, 2010 @ 10:24 pm | delete
- Congratulations on your well-deserved 2009 Giant Squid Award. Happy New Year 2010!
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Laniann
Dec 23, 2009 @ 4:24 am | delete
- Congratulations, on being selected as one of the 2009 Giant Squid Award Winners for your lens on Ideas, Ideas, How To Create More Ideas.
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The_Health_Lady
Dec 22, 2009 @ 11:42 am | delete
- Congratulations on being a winner in the 2009 Giant Squid Awards! So many ideas, so little time. Great lens!
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thesuccess
Dec 22, 2009 @ 12:02 pm | delete
- Thanks very much. The main thing is to be come more aware of your existing idea creation process (which most people take for granted) and then find ways to enhance it!
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bdkz
Dec 21, 2009 @ 5:46 pm | delete
- Congratulations on being a winner in the 2009 Giant Squid Awards! http://www.squidoo.com/2009-giant-squid-award-winners#module74878351
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thesuccess
Dec 22, 2009 @ 11:52 am | delete
- bdkz (just off to see what that means) . I thank you very much the win has come at the just the right time as I head into the New Year
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Dec 15, 2009 @ 7:55 am | delete
- Nicely done & blessed.
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BarbRad
Dec 11, 2009 @ 11:14 pm | delete
- I'm overwhelmed. There's too much here for me to absorb all at once. I'd say you've covered the territory. There's no excuse for not being able to come up with new ideas now.
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Selection of my Lenses
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.
This UpMarket page written by
thesuccess
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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: $12.99 (as of 02/13/2012)
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: $7.96 (as of 02/13/2012)
Readers find this book helpful and practical
