| Here's an all-too-common problem: You are stumped | | | | This means you write down everything that comes |
| for a solution to a problem. You need new ideas and | | | | to mind and you don't stop writing until you have |
| you need to turn on your creative mind. | | | | written for ten minutes (a kitchen timer is a great |
| Next time you find yourself in this situation, try this | | | | tool for this). |
| method for coming up with new ideas: | | | | 5. If you came up with your new idea when you |
| | | | wrote, then run with it. Otherwise, simply review |
| 1. Write out a list of open-ended questions that | | | | what you've written, also review the list of questions |
| describe the problem you are trying to solve. The | | | | you wrote before you took your walk, and highlight |
| more thoroughly you write about the problem in the | | | | a few segments that seem almost on target. Then if |
| form of questions, the better your answers will be. | | | | need be, write again for another ten minutes. |
| 2. Next get outside and take a walk. Really you can | | | | Almost inevitably, your solutions and ideas will have |
| be flexible here, you can also go hiking, running or | | | | come to you before you get to this stage. On the |
| hop on a bike. The main two ingredients you are | | | | off chance that you still have little to show for your |
| looking for are fresh air and exercise. | | | | efforts, get with someone else and do some |
| 3. Often your ideas will come to you while you are | | | | brainstorming. |
| walking and you will hardly be able to wait until you | | | | Ideas need time to grow, but the change between |
| can get back to write down your new ideas. | | | | sitting at a desk "thinking" and getting out and |
| 4. At other times, it will seem as if your solutions are | | | | moving your body is an idea generator that you |
| just on the edge of your mind, but not yet clearly in | | | | should find works at least 90% of the time. When |
| focus yet. When this happens, come home and start | | | | you add the non-stop writing exercise, you are |
| doing some non-stop writing in a journal you keep. | | | | bordering on a sure thing. |