77.8 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesJULY 2002 BRAINSTORM

JULY 2002 BRAINSTORM

Get Ideas: Just Ask
In his book, "Weird Ideas That Work," Stanford professor Robert Sutton suggests that employers use job interviews to get new ideas, not just to screen candidates. He says: Give job candidates problems that you cannot solve. Listen as much as you can. Talk as little as you can.
Tip: You can use this same strategy even if you are not hiring people. The next time a friend asks you how your work is going, tell him or her one of the problems you are grappling with, and ask what they might do in your place. For example, if you are a writer and are stuck on a plot point, ask a friend what he or she thinks could happen next in the story. It can be an advantage if your friend knows little about your field — sometimes the best ideas come from people who are fresh to a challenge and do not know what cannot be done. Remember not to judge their ideas in front of them; just thank them.
What Are You Assuming?
Sutton also has this recommendation: When you know that you need to head in a new direction, but you do not know which road to take, sometimes the best thing is to do whatever is most ridiculous or random. Thinking up the dumbest and most impractical thing that you could do is a powerful way to explore your assumptions about the world.
Tip: The next time you are trying to decide something, come up with a solution that you know cannot possibly work. Then ask yourself why it cannot possibly work. The answers will reveal the assumptions you are making about the situation. Then examine each of the assumptions to see whether it is necessarily true. New solutions may suggest themselves once you have dropped the false assumption.
Go By the Numbers
When brainstorming, either by yourself or in a group, number the ideas that come up, Tom Kelley suggests in his book, "The Art of Innovation." Kelley says it may seem like an obvious idea but it took them ten years to catch on to it at idea-factory Ideo. He says it has two advantages. First, it motivates the participants to have a set number of ideas in a certain time period. Second, it makes it easier to go back to earlier ideas during the discussion.
Tip: According to Kelley, a hundred ideas per hour usually indicates a good brainstorming session. By setting this kind of goal for yourself, you will not have to time to judge each idea as you go along, which is one of the things that often kills a brainstorming session. It also guarantees that you write down every idea (another important guideline for effective brainstorming).
Be Here Now
It is very easy to spend too much time thinking about the past or the future and forget that the only thing that truly exists is now. Many people spend much of their lives in what was or what will be, and do not notice what is there for them in the moment … and thus the minutes, hours, and years of their lives slip away. How to get back to the Now? In his book, "Living on Purpose," Dan Millman suggests a practical strategy: First ask, "Am I relaxed?" (And consciously relax your body.) Second, ask, "Am I breathing fully and evenly?" (And take three slow, deep, relaxing breaths.) Third, ask, "Am I acting, moving, or behaving with refinement, quality, and elegance?" (Then give your full attention to what you are doing in the moment, whether sitting, standing, driving, doing the dishes — and do it with a sense of grace and elegance.) This three-question wake-up call serves to bring our attention back to the body, and back to the present moment … the body stands in the here-and-now.
Tip: The next time you find yourself getting lost in the past or future, try Millman's technique. If you want to make this a habit, write a key word for each step on a little card and keep it visible on your desk.

* * * * * * * * * *

Did you know that the "Power Trances" CD by Jurgen Wolff can help you relax, generate ideas, and still the inner critic? And that it makes a terrific present that friends can use again and again? For information about content and ordering, send an email to BstormUK@aol.com.
Created Your Own Villain
Usually we encourage you to think positively, but sometimes a bit of strategic negative thinking can help, too. Have you noticed how hard people will work when they are fighting an enemy? The more specific the enemy, the better. You can use this power by creating a symbol of whatever is holding you back. Most of the time, this is not another person, but some aspect of yourself. For example, if you're trying to lose weight and shape up, most likely it is your own problems with sticking to your diet and exercise regime that get in your way. You can create an image for this "enemy." Maybe you want to imagine Blimpo — a cartoon-like, hugely overweight and slobby version of yourself. Blimpo hates it when you exercise or when you resist the lure of chocolates because Blimpo wants to make you into his or her own image. Imagine your reaction if, the next time you are tempted, you call Blimpo to mind. You can even play out the reaction of your villain when you resist temptation -— make it big and make it fun.
Tip: Decide what is your biggest enemy — the thing that holds you back from doing or being what you would like to do or be. Create a super-villain to embody that. Each time you are confronted with a challenge, visualise the enemy. Make the right choice, and enjoy the downfall of the enemy! The best thing is this all happens in your imagination. You do not need to tell anyone else about it — all they will notice is that you are doing better than ever before.
And Last But Not Least … A Quote to Think About:
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." — Carl Jung
Our web site is www.BrainstormNet.com . You might also enjoy my book, "Do Something Different," available now in the United Kingdom from book stores and
Amazon.co.uk, and in the U.S. from Amazon.com.
Requests to subscribe (or unsubscribe) should be sent to BstormUK@aol.com.
We also welcome your comments and suggestions and we do not sell or share our mailing lists
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.