Brainstorming Methods

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Author:
Steve Gillman

Brainpower algorithms is my own term for the rules that we develop to help us think more efficiently. There are examples from every area of life. Salesmen more effectively sell once they are trained to smile and match the pace of the buyer's speech. Real estate investors can more easily analyze a property if they have a mental checklist that they run through. Writers think in terms of headlines that "grab" the reader by using words like "top secret."

Universal Brainpower Algorithms

Some of the most useful rules of life are simple questions that cut through the clutter in our minds and point to the most essential aspects of things. Consider the question "What would (insert hero here) do?" Asking this is a powerful way to quickly resolve ethical issues. A Christian facing an ethical problem, for example, can usually quickly imagine what Jesus would do. This process bypasses the rationalizing that often passes as rationality, and lets our powerful unconscious mind show us the way. Here are some other questions that can be useful.

- What can I learn from this?

- How can I use this to my advantage?

- How can I most quickly and effectively resolve this?

- What is good about this situation?

- What is the key element here?

- How can I look at this differently?

- Do I have all the information I need to make a decision?

More Specific Brainpower Techniques

To develop your brainpower in specific areas, find out what successful people in those fields are thinking. For example, consciously or not, a good comedian is always looking around and asking things like, "How can I take this to the extreme?" "What is the silliest part of this situation?" "Which words in this have double meanings that I can play with?" or "What's wrong with this picture?" He may also be imagining things reversed, done differently, or from another perspective.

An inventor thinks about how things work, how to apply those principles of function to other things, or how to make them work differently. He challenges assumptions, asking things like, "Do chairs really need legs, or would there be advantages to hanging them from the ceiling?" These idea-creating techniques are just specific brainpower algorithms.

The key to using these brainpower algorithms most effectively isn't in learning as many as you can. Many of us have learned enough "self improvement" techniques to last a lifetime. It isn't that knowing more is harmful, but application is the key here, not compiling more unused knowledge. You need to take what you know and use it, and, even more importantly, make it into a habit. A simple and useful principle turned into a good habit is more powerful than a head full of great ideas.

How do you create these brainpower habits? Repetition. How long do you have to repeatedly do something or think something for it to become a habit? The consensus of the experts is about three weeks. Pick the mental "program" you wan to install in your brain, and start using it every day for a few weeks. Carry a card with reminders if necessary.

We have mental habits anyhow, but they are not necessarily the best ones, right? Why not consciously train yourself to use the questions, rules, and patterns of behavior that are the most useful for you? This is how you make brain content into brainpower.

About the Author :

Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower and related topics for years. For more on How To Increase Brain Power, and to get the Brain Power Newsletter and other free gifts, visit: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com


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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Brainpower... Brainstorming - Create That Million Dollar Idea There are many ways to stimulate your creative juices, and to get the ideas flowing. Most authors have their favourites which are usually tried and tested and work for them. Maybe the best known is brainstorming. Brainstorming is a powerful technique which can create new ideas and solve problems. It can be done in a group, with a partner, or alone. When used in a group setting, it motivates and develops a team spirit. It often involves group members in bigger management issues and allows the team to work together. When used as part of a team, a flip-chart, allowing all participants to see what is happening, and what is being produced, is essential. On a one to one basis, or alone, it not required. But writing everything down is essential. There are a few simple rules when brainstorming. Firstly, judgement and criticism are suspended during the session. Secondly, there are no right or wrong answers, there are no good or bad ideas. Reviewing the ideas generated comes later. Often the wilder, and stranger the idea, the better. Many times great ideas can come from what initially appears strange or irrelevant. Another concept to bear in mind when brainstorming ideas for your writing, is that quantity and not quality is the most important thing at this stage. Combining ideas is another option, see where one idea leads, then combine it with another. Key to brainstorming is writing ideas down. Don’t just call out ideas, make someone responsible for collecting every single idea mentioned. It is easy to forget what is said, and no writer wants to lose a gem of inspiration for a new book or article. Also, sometimes actually seeing ideas written down, will spur you on to other ideas. If you work alone, or are self-employed, you may wish to brainstorm alone. ...