5 Imaginative Ways to Generate Ideas

To quote Ann Willoughby, “Ideas are inconsiderate.” This can mean that they show up at the most inconvenient times–when we’re about to dose off, just as we lather up in the shower, or while we’re out walking the dog–, but it also applies to the fact that ideas can sometimes refuse to show up when we most need them.

There are times when ideas are so bountiful we wonder how we’ll ever get around to writing all those blog posts or trying out all those new business ideas. And then there are times when we’re stuck smack in the middle of the Sahara of ideas. Below you’ll find 5 imaginative ways to generate ideas for those times when the idea-well has dried up.

1. Use the Kipling Method to generate ideas or solve problems. Rudyard Kipling was one of the 1907 Nobel Prize Laureates “in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author.” His poem transcribed below immortalized his method:

“I have six honest serving men
They taught me all I knew
I call them What and Where and When
And How and Why and Who”

One approach to using this method is to have a planned sequence of questions in a particular order to help guide you through an understanding of the problem at hand:

• What is the problem?
• What are you trying to achieve?
• Where is it happening?
• When is it happening?
• Why is it happening?
• Who is this affecting?
• How can you overcome this problem?

2.  Use the tool Visuwords, which is in an online graphical dictionary. You insert a word and the tool creates a diagram–reminiscent of a neural network–connecting to other words that are related or associated with your word.

For example, I typed in the word “imagination” and it branched out to words such as resourcefulness, inventiveness, dream, visualize, evocation, mental imagery, mind’s eye, and so on.

3. Doodling is simply drawing anything that pops into your minds eye. Start drawing a few lines and then look to see what it suggests and go with it.

As an illustration of the power of a doodle, in 1967 Texas entrepreneur Rollin King was having dinner with his lawyer and he jotted down the names of three cities on a napkin—San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas—and connected them to form a triangle. This is how he got across the idea that a small airline that offered nonstop flights between these hot spots would have an edge over big airlines like American and Continental, which forced travelers in the region to fly through expensive and time-consuming hubs. The two men went on to found Southwest Airlines. (Source).

4.  And revisiting Roger von Oech (you remember him from my post “Creativity Whacks to the Head – Roger von Oech”) if you go here, every time you click on Roger’s head on the top of the page you get a new creativity card to help you generate ideas.

5.  Exercise your creativity muscles. The author of “Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain” explains that we’re expected to generate ideas all the time, yet we don’t stretch and warm up our minds so that they’re ready when we need to start sprouting ideas.  Therefore, he presents 250 exercises to wake up your brain.  Here’s one exercise from the book:

“There are signs posted around every office in the world, signs that warn us of impending danger, bathroom segregation, or even which way the exit is. What if those signs were changed to an international pictorial language that not only identifies, but adds art to the space?  Create new signs for:

a) Men’s/Women’s Room
b) Fire Extinguisher
c) Janitor’s Closet
d) Executive Washroom
e) Parking Garage
f) Exit”

Conclusion

Fortunately, there are many techniques, exercises, and methods you can apply when you need to generate ideas.  Start keeping a collection of these so that you have them on hand for when you need them.

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photo credit: jessiphotoworld

Related Posts:

• 18 Ways to be Uber Creative
• Three Incredibly Effective Creativity Techniques
• Four Outstanding Thoughts on Innovation
• Thoughts to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
• Creative Thinking Techniques: The Playful Edition

I Recommend:

My ebook “How to Be More Creative – A Handbook for Alchemists” explains that creativity is not the sole domain of the arts but is important in any field. Whatever you do, creativity helps you do it better. Discover practical advice on how to be more creative in every life endeavor by reading my ebook.

The Sedona Method is a simple, powerful, easy-to-learn technique that shows you how to let go of any negative, unwanted or painful feelings you may be experiencing at any particular moment. It consists of a series of questions you ask yourself that lead your awareness to focus on what you’re feeling in the moment and gently guide you toward letting it go. Read my review of the Sedona Method here.