Brainstorming Tips

Even though school's out for summer, I'm still super busy thinking up ideas and I'm sure you are too. Whether you're figuring out what activity to do with friends or thinking of ways to creatively solve a problem at an internship, these brainstorming tips will help you generate your best ideas and enable you to work efficiently.

1. Start on your own
• Ask questions to pinpoint exactly what you want to discover through brainstorming
• Try to get a specific question as in what do I want to name my blog? or how can I get a job at a specific company?
• Rather than coming up with the whole theme for the blog or how to get a job in a broad field, you can tailor your thoughts to attacking just one specific task
• Set a time limit: usually 20 minutes is best
• If you're a visual learner, use a tool like Mind Maps to create cool diagrams
• If you learn through writing, let your ideas flow in freewrite form
• If you learn by hearing/talking, record your spoken words 
• Whether you sticky-note ideas or connect them on a white board, don't throw anything away! Sometimes the best ideas come from the worst ideas. 
2. Connect ideas in a group- Even if this isn't a group project, ask others for their input. Call your dad, email your mom, Skype your siblings or a friend. 
• Assign a moderator/facilitator and a secretary to type everything that is said
• Set group goals that are attainable, realistic and timely
• Set a time limit
• Start generally and get more specific- bounce ideas off of others
• Don't agree too much: play devil's advocate, push each other to think harder- dreaming big is good! Successful people don't play it too safe or too realistic. Put yourself and your ideas out on the line.
3. After all of the ideas are in, review individually
• Now it's time to select your best ideas
• Create a "cuts" document where you can copy and paste any not so great ideas. This is much better than just deleting them, as they will be saved if you need them later. (A professor told me this and it is honestly one of the most helpful things I've ever learned).
• Put your brainstorming notes away for one night. If you don't have that kind of time try an hour. Go do something completely different- physical exercise is usually best- and then revisit the list. I usually come up with my best ideas after I've got some empowering post-workout endorphins flowing.  

Good luck & work smart!

xoxo