Here at Avid, we’re in the ideas industry. Avid Towers is practically bursting at the seams with ideas, clamoring to get out into the world. But creative thinking isn’t just for artsy-fartsy media folk. Have you ever sent off a proposal, or had a meeting, then suddenly had a brainwave later on while sitting on the loo, emptying the dishwasher or walking the dog, only to wish you’d thought of this magic earlier?
Being a creative thinker is, in my opinion, a skill to be honed, but, for those less well practiced, there are some exercises you can do to get into the right frame of mind to get those gold dust ideas on demand, whenever you need them. These are some of my tips:
1. Get undressed
Ok, not necessarily naked (although if it makes you feel more comfortable you can, just be sure to draw the curtains first). Just take your jacket and tie off, and kick your shoes off too, if your feet can be trusted not to emit an objectionable aroma. Get comfortable and sit away from your computer, or at least turn the screen off. You don’t want to be distracted in full flow, and you need to detach your mind.
2. Broaden your mind
You may have heard the fact that we only use 10 per cent of our brains on a daily basis. Engage more of your brain and you will be surprised at the new thought content you generate. How do you do this? By doing things differently to usual. Try writing back to front, with your ‘wrong’ hand (both at the same time if you can), take a different route to work or mix up your routine in some way. The more you challenge yourself the better. You don’t have to wait for a brainstorm session to do this – try doing something out of the ordinary every day to give yourself a broader range of thought all the time.
3. Warm up thoroughly
Clear your mind of the day’s tasks and stresses and get into a creative rhythm with a good old game of word association. If there is more than one of you, chuck a ball or screwed up piece of paper between you as you play. This will focus your mind solely on the catching, and the words.
On your own? Play a song and dance and sing along. Write down every thought that pops into your head for several minutes then rip up and throw away the paper. Try to imagine nothing.
4. Opposites
This is a time old technique in the creative industries (you may have seen its use in a recent infamous Home Office brainstorm involving the Pope). Take your run of the mill ideas or activities, then think of what the exact opposite would be. Now relate this to your project.
5. Celebrity dinner guests
Think of a celebrity you might like to have to dinner (this could be someone you hate equally as well as someone you desire). Write down every attribute you can about that individual. So, for instance:
Will Smith – actor, black, Fresh Prince, married, sexy, rapper, and so on
Now detach these words from the original subject and use them to formulate an idea related to your project.
6. No bad ideas
The objective of an ideas session is not to come up with a final plan. One idea leads to another. They can be developed, especially between several of you, so don’t dismiss anything. Write it all down. Write everything down. Write half ideas and random words and see where they take you. Sequester a flip chart if possible and stick the pages on the walls as they fill up.
Once you’re done you can pick out the best bits to put into practice.
These are just some of my tips for creative brainstorming. If you’d like further help please get in touch with www.avidpr.co.uk.
