Creativity, in many people’s opinion, is something a select few are born with!
And most go through life without touching their creativity button.
Many people assume creativity to be the cornerstone of an artist’s and writer’s arsenal. Not so. Creativity touches every aspect of your life- and how you differentiate yourself from the others. A very good trait that can help drive your career or your child’s thinking in directions that not many have taken the trouble to tread on.
While other tools are available, I find the exercise of Mindstorming to be one of the best I have tried out. I read this in a Brian Tracy book – and since then found out many other well known authors and professional recommend it as well.
So, here’s how you do it!
Start with a clean paper.
- Step 1: Write down the Key Question for which you are looking for a solution.
- Make this as focused and precise as possible- this will lead to better quality of answers.
- Step 2: Start writing down the answers – 1 to 20.
- Let the thoughts flow.
- Some of them may be like repetitions but don’t stop
- Don’t look for original ideas from the first point.
- Don’t stress yourself out trying to force your brain to churn out those ideas … let this be an enjoyable exercise.
Simple enough?
For most of you, the first 5-8 answers will just pop out. These are typically the ideas that people take & get to work. These are also the ideas that are most common and most others would also come out with. Now is when you persist!
Till you come to 15, it will be a stretch – but the ideas will still come out.
This is when you don’t give up! Keep at it and squeeze every drop from your brain. The next 5 will come from the depths of your brain, which will surprise even you!
List out the 20 answers. Identify the answers that address your question and give you solutions that may not have been apparent to you otherwise.
Great. Ready to go.
So, how does this apply to you?
In every aspect of your life (work or personal).
If you are faced with a problem today, try this out.
Remember:
Very precise questions will lead your brain to lead down a very precise path. Vague questions will let your brain wander around 
E.g – From – “How do I get promoted?” to – “What are the things I can do to get promoted in the next 6 months”
Or
From: “ what can I do for my daughter’s birthday?” to “What can I do differently for my daughter’s birthday that will make it memorable for her?”
Try this out.