An introduction to brainstorming

Brainstorming is a simple but powerful way to begin creating a plan of action. It’s something which I use a ton and I typically find the process to be enjoyable and results to be powerful. I’m just going to outline this basic process and I encourage you to try it right away if it’s not something you already use regularly.

 

I’d encourage you to use a bit of flexibility when trying it, you don’t need to follow my method strictly. Mainly I just want to introduce the basic concept. All you need to start is some paper and a pen.

 

If you want to ritualise it up a bit then darken the room, light a candle, and use a fountain pen. It may sound daft but little things like this are good for awakening parts of the creative solution finding mind which are not normally active.

 

Don’t just write. Allow yourself to get involved in feelings and emotions. Typically the questions and answers you write which are alive with emotion to you are the ones which you should be taking an interest in. The ones which seem dead are the ones to ignore or rephrase.

 

 

There’s two ways I use brainstorming.

 

1)      The first way of using brainstorming is if you have a problem to address – if you have no problems then just think about something you’d like to improve about your life.

 

 

2)      Now rephrase this in terms of a more useful solution finding question, such as the following.

 

 

3)      Then brainstorm a list of answers… you will get something like the following…

 

Get a weekend job.

Sell some stuff I don’t need.

Get a raise at work.

Get a new job with a higher wage.”

 

4)      Now think of the unanswered questions relating to each of those solutions…

 

When would I find the time to take up a new project?

How much time would I need to commit to ensure success?

What are the chances of this project succeeding?”

 

5)      For each of those questions brainstorm a list of answers…

 

I could start my own market research business.

I could write my own meditation book.”

 

6)      And then the questions for each of them…

 

“How would I advertise my self-defence class?

When would I hold my self-defence class?

Where would I hold my self-defence class?”

 

Basically you alternate from questions to answers until you get a list of tangible actions which you want to take.

 

If you find that your lists are huge, then only select the most potent three or four choices from each to investigate further.

 

 

1)      The second way I use brainstorming is a way of realising more positivity in my life. This is pretty easy… just grab a sheet of paper and write a positive question at the top, something along the lines of…

 

What are the coolest things I’m going to do over the next year?

What are the most interesting things about me to a stranger?”

Etc…

 

2)      Then list the answers…

 

I protect those dear to me.

I’m a powerful leader

I’m a positive influence.”

 

3)      Then extrapolate on those answers in whatever way you wish. I tend to just write a few little paragraphs describing them and allow my visualisation, imagination and feeling to be fully indulged as I write.

 

“I’m confident about myself. I walk with confidence and talk with confidence. I step up to the plate when it’s required.

 

Other people tend to feel comfortable around me because I’m so confident. They can sense that I am able to solve problems if required.

 

My confidence allows me to make the most of the opportunities which come my way, even if it’s just a fleeting window.”

 

Simple, but powerful, useful and fun.