8 Ways To Generate Creative Ideas
By: Abrar Ahmed
Tags: Creativity, Creative Writing, Creative, Innovation, Ideas

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The skills necessary for good ideas are the same as those required for good work: attention to detail, attention to detail and more attention to detail. But how do you ensure you are continually bringing these areas of your brain to bear?

The answer lies in a process known as “challenging.” Research has shown that if you really want to grow your brain, it’s good to push yourself a little further than you feel comfortable. The better you do, the better your brain will perform. In other words, the more challenging your ideas, the more stimulating you will become, and the more creative your thoughts become. You won’t be bored and you’ll find it easy to generate new ideas.

There are, of course, ways to draw the line at appropriate levels of challenge, such as simply accepting your limits and not wanting to succeed at everything. The key is to find the point where you feel you have done enough, and your brain will follow suit.

1.Do a brain mapping session

This is a great way to stimulate the grey matter in your brain and to see how your creative areas operate. Research has shown that when we put images on a computer that help us to stimulate the grey matter of our brain, we often generate new ideas. So make a simple montage of images (like: a blue baby under a red balloon, a man wearing a weird hat, etc) and place them on the computer screen in front of you. Sit back and watch your brain at work.

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2.Play a computer game

When people are asked to complete a number of tasks that require them to remember specific information, they show a dramatic increase in grey matter in their brain’s hippocampus. Researchers believe this is because memories are stored in the hippocampus, which allows us to explore new ideas. So a good idea generator is, in effect, a form of brain exercise.

3.Read or listen to interesting books

Both reading a book and listening to an audiobook work the mind in ways that no-one would have thought possible. Books are an opportunity for you to come up with ideas, while audiobooks are a form of mental exercise.

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4.Spend time with friends

Friendships are another wonderful way to stimulate your brain. The act of playing a game of Scrabble, talking about your new project or working on a graphic design exercise will focus your mind and improve your ability to generate ideas.

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5.Choose your favourite chair and sit there in silence for five minutes at a time

If you have a favourite chair, then you can put it on the floor in front of you. Sitting in silence for five minutes at a time will give you time to think and to ruminate about your ideas. (Also, what better way to spend those precious few minutes in the day?)

6.Create your own maps

New-concept maps are created by putting together various snippets of information into an idea-generating collage. People are frequently drawn to people who can find a way to understand and interpret the world, so create a family tree, and a lunar-planetary and anagram-type map for yourself. The end results may surprise you and may lead to new ideas.

7.Don’t overthink it

Research into flow states has shown that if you continually think about how hard something is going to be, you are much less likely to find success. When you are approaching a difficult situation or taking a big decision, try to put it in to a box and focus on the reward.

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8.The world needs innovative thinkers

The next time you need to come up with an innovative idea, use one of the ideas that helped you get you through the last challenge. The more you do this, the more effective you will become.