{"id":3375,"date":"2013-09-12T00:28:21","date_gmt":"2013-09-11T21:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/?p=3375"},"modified":"2013-09-12T00:29:32","modified_gmt":"2013-09-11T21:29:32","slug":"think-simply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/think-simply\/","title":{"rendered":"Think Simply"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever felt mentally blocked from finding a solution to a problem you are facing? Most of us have had this experience, and it can be quite frustrating. Writers call it writer\u2019s block, and the rest of us call it stumped, stymied, confused, etc. Brainstorming is one effective tool for helping to remove the mental roadblock and come up with ideas and solutions.<\/p>\n<p>Brainstorming is a method of generating ideas that allows the brain to think freely and use both sides of the brain to ideally come up with creative solutions to difficult problems. Brainstorming can be used whether you\u2019re sorting out a problem at work, coming up with your next business idea, or resolving a personal relationship issue. Brainstorming can help you hone in on the problem and come up with creative ways to approach it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Essentials<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Define the result<\/strong>. What is it you\u2019d like to accomplish or figure out? Define the issue first, so you know what your target is. Define the problem as a measurable result rather than something vague and generic. Perhaps you want to answer a question, \u201cWhat would I like to accomplish next year?\u201d and you can define the result as \u201cI want to be doing something that utilizes my graphic design and communications skills. I will feel fully engaged with my project and I will help at least 100 people. What are some projects I can work on?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Write it down<\/strong>. Brainstorm on paper (or digital device). I\u2019ve found that the moment I write an idea down, not only do I have a record of this idea, but more ideas will start to flow my way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Suspend judgment<\/strong>. Brainstorming is a free flow of ideas. If you reject certain ideas because they seem improbable or crazy, you may miss something brilliant! Open your mind and let the stream of consciousness release all your thoughts; crazy, nonsensical or otherwise. Treat every idea like a gift, welcome everyone. This is especially when brainstorming in a group, do not shut down any idea, if it doesn\u2019t work, move it on a separate sheet of paper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t evaluate<\/strong>. At the same time, don\u2019t evaluate the utility of an idea. Brainstorming is the stage where you come up with ideas. Evaluation happens later on. If you evaluate now, you slow down the process and block yourself from creativity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Go wild<\/strong>. The sky\u2019s the limit, when it comes to brainstorming. The key is to come up with a wide range of ideas and solutions. Don\u2019t limit your thoughts, no matter how crazy they sound. Each idea is a potential partial solution to your problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Be playful.\u00a0<\/strong>Make it fun. Brainstorming should not be tedious, boring, or too serious. Ideas flow better when you make it light-hearted and fun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Methods for Effective Brainstorming<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>There are several ways and techniques to approach brainstorming. But no matter how you do it, you\u2019ll probably get some surprising results. When I try too hard to come up with ideas, I generally tank. But when I allow my mind to do its own thing, the result is often magical. Here are a few of the brainstorming techniques to try:<\/p>\n<p>1.\u00a0<strong>Free-writing<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 This simple technique involves putting a pen to paper for a certain amount of time (usually 15 minutes), and writing nonstop until the time is up. The key is to continuously write whatever that comes out of your head without editing. At the end of the writing period, you may have written a few things like, \u201cI don\u2019t know what to write.\u201d But by writing continuously without editing, you free yourself from your inner critic. You may come up with a brilliant idea or solution you hadn\u2019t thought of before.<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0<strong>Listing<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 With this technique, you simply write down words, phrases, and ideas as they come to you, usually in list or bulleted form. The advantage of the list is that it is simple and it works for getting your thoughts written down.<\/p>\n<p>3.\u00a0<strong>Mindmapping<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 To mindmap, you simply write the main topic or problem in the middle of a page, and then quickly fill in the rest of the space on the page with ideas, topics, and words associated with the main idea. Once you\u2019ve done that, simply draw lines between the ideas that are connected with each other. This technique is great for seeing patterns and links between ideas.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/litemind.com\/tackle-any-issue-with-a-list-of-100\/\">List of 100<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3602\" alt=\"AddingValue.1\" src=\"http:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/AddingValue.1-300x232.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/AddingValue.1-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/AddingValue.1.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Litemind recently mentioned this technique on their blog. All you do is come up with 100 different ideas and solutions, but you must do it quickly. Because it\u2019s a ridiculously high number of ideas, your mind is forced to quickly get creative.<\/p>\n<p>5.\u00a0<strong>Solve the opposite problem<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 One technique to get us out of feeling stuck when trying to solve a problem is to solve the opposite problem. Take each idea from solving the opposite problem, flip it and it\u2019ll become an idea for the original problem. For example, we are trying to brainstorm for \u201cThe best cell phone design\u201d, an idea for the opposite problem \u201cThe worst cell phone design\u201d can be \u201cimpossible to program address book\u201d. Now flipping the idea gives us \u201cincredibly easy and intuitive to add new contacts into the address book\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>6.\u00a0<strong>Build on existing ideas<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Take existing ideas that have worked and add to them or mold them to fit the new problem. Building on top of successful solutions can help you come up with new, and often improved ideas. Using this technique keeps you from the blank page syndrome; staring at the blank page thinking you can\u2019t give an idea because there are none in front of you. The existing solution gives a base and focus to your brainstorming.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Tips for Effective Brainstorming<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>1.\u00a0<strong>Set a time limit<\/strong>. The idea behind this suggestion is that by giving yourself a deadline, you are forced to quickly come up with ideas.<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0<strong>Relaxed environment<\/strong>. Create an environment where you are at ease, peaceful and creative. Where do you feel at ease? A local caf\u00e9? Sitting in your living room? For me, I work best when sitting at my dining table, surrounded by candles.<\/p>\n<p>3. \u201c<strong>Just Do It<\/strong>\u201c. Dive in without thinking anymore of\u00a0<em>I can\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0and just do. When I write articles for this blog, my initial reaction when facing a blank page is always,\u00a0<em>crap, I don\u2019t know what to write<\/em>. My trick is to just start writing anything that comes to mind without worrying about structure or formality. After several minutes or paragraphs, I\u2019ll start to see the article idea take shape. Once I have a better idea of my topic and its main points, I go back to the beginning and start to write the article.<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0<strong>Word association<\/strong>. Allow yourself to come up with as many word associations as you can. You may be amazed to find that your mind can bring seemingly unconnected ideas together in interesting ways.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3597\" alt=\"ideas\" src=\"http:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/ideas-227x300.jpg\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/ideas-227x300.jpg 227w, https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/ideas-775x1024.jpg 775w, https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/ideas.jpg 1930w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>5.Capture ideas<\/p>\n<p>Some techniques require you to capture your ideas in some way, and others do not. If you want to make sure you remember all the ideas, you can use paper, a blackboard or whiteboard, or your computer. I recommend pen and paper for its simplicity and low barrier to entry.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>6.\u00a0<strong>Bounce ideas<\/strong>. I\u2019ve found it effective to bounce ideas with another like-minded person, or even brainstorming as a group with other people using above methods. Sometimes when two heads are working together, you result with synergetic ideas (better than what you could have come up with separately).<\/p>\n<p>7.\u00a0<strong>Get the Blood Flowing<\/strong>. When I\u2019m at my table brainstorming, I like to be standing up. I sometimes dance to up-beat music because it brings me fully into this moment. When I\u2019m sitting, I tend to relax easily which makes me tired and sleepy. When I\u2019m standing and moving, my heart is pumping and blood is flowing, and this gives me energy for brainstorming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever felt mentally blocked from finding a solution to a problem you are facing? Most of us have had this experience, and it can be quite frustrating. Writers call it writer\u2019s block, and the rest of us call it stumped, stymied, confused, etc. Brainstorming is one effective tool for helping to remove the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[427],"tags":[150,485,844,842,498,808,715,738,448,161,486,528,489,183,134,62,142,490,823,695,491,634,488],"class_list":["post-3375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-427","tag-abstract","tag-adel","tag-confidence","tag-coping","tag-creative","tag-emotional","tag-failure","tag-negative","tag-professor","tag-psychiatric","tag-serag","tag-seragpsych","tag-seragpsych-com","tag-skills","tag-speed","tag-spirit-and-excercise","tag-success","tag-thinking","tag-thoughts","tag-time","tag-types","tag-wonderful","tag-work","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3375"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3605,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3375\/revisions\/3605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}