This exercise can open you up to different solutions. You may not be able to implement the exact solution you come up with, but you might be able to come up with a good substitute that you hadn’t thought of before.
For instance, maybe your problem is that you need to fund a project, and the company doesn’t have enough money. You’ve likely made the assumption that the project has to take a certain amount of money. You also probably assumed that the money needs to come from within the company. [3] X Research source However, try to challenge these ideas. Maybe the project could cost less if you took a different approach. On the other hand, maybe you could get funding from elsewhere, such as a donor or even a grant if it’s a community project. Try to think outside the box.
Take a break from the problem and change your environment. Sometimes that’s all it takes for inspiration to strike.
For instance, you can try freewriting. Write your problem at the top of a page. Once you do that, just begin writing. Don’t criticize or censor, just write whatever comes to your mind. Using this technique can help get your ideas flowing, as well as help you make connections you hadn’t thought of. When you’ve spent at least 10 or 15 minutes freewriting or when you feel like you’ve reached a stopping point, look back over your writing and highlight or circle anything that might be useful. [5] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Another way to brainstorm is to make a concept tree. For instance, you can start with your problem in the center within a circle. Use a line to branch off the main idea with another idea. Group like ideas together with lines. Start new branches for new ideas. This technique is also good for making connections, especially since you can represent it visually. [6] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source In a group, be sure to brainstorm before you get together so you have some time to think. Make sure to censor any criticism, as that can stop people from bringing up ideas. The leader can throw out a topic or problem, and then the group can bounce ideas off of each other. [7] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
For instance, maybe you are trying to paint a picture of a depressing time in your life, but you’re having trouble getting started. Putting on the right song could help you get in the mood. Another example is a writing prompt, where someone else sets up a scenario or a question that you write on, such as “You find yourself in a dark room with only one window. You have a pencil in your hand and no shoes. How did you get there?” You can find writing prompts in books on writing and on writing websites. Find prompts that involve the 5 senses. Each sense may make you think different feelings or memories.
Another way to shake things up is to have different experiences. For instance, maybe go to the symphony if you’ve never been or try a new food. You never know what connections your brain is going to make.
Plus, even if you decide you don’t like what you end up with, you can use what you learned on the next project.
Remind yourself that making a mistake is not the end of the world. If you paint a line in the wrong place on your painting, it can be fixed. Alternatively, maybe it will help you take a new direction you didn’t even think of. Making a mistake is a natural part of life. [11] X Research source Wait to decide. Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of a project, you may decide you want to scrap it and start over. However, give it a chance. Finish the project, and then sleep on it. You may decide you like it better in the morning or that you can do something to fix it. Don’t make it all or nothing. Remind yourself that even if what you end up with is less than perfect, it can still be good. [12] X Research source
