The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Brainstorming Great Ideas
No matter what your exact job title is, it’s very likely that brainstorming is a part of your workload in some capacity. Regularly coming up with innovative ideas can be challenging. Creative breakthroughs must be consciously cultivated, yet sometimes it feels like when we most need inspiration, we come up with nothing.
There are a variety of reasons that professionals struggle when brainstorming. One of the biggest issues can be that many feel that they don’t work in a culture where they are comfortable expressing unique ideas. Others struggle to come up with good ideas due to a lack of preparation. For introverts, group brainstorming can be especially tricky! Despite these hurdles, you can succeed at brainstorming by implementing best practices for idea generation.
When you feel stuck, consider getting some fresh air to clear your head. Many people find that when possible, “sleeping on it” can help get the ideas flowing. Too often, it feels like our best ideas come when we least expect them! Creating and using an “idea journal” can help you get into the habit of writing down your ideas as they strike. If all else fails, create a mood board of inspiration to help stimulate your creativity.
The term “brainstorm” was created by advertiser Alex F. Osborn in the 1940s. He came up with a framework known as the four pillars of brainstorming, which can be used to help guide professionals when they are working to come up with creative new ideas. By going for quality, withholding criticism, welcoming wild ideas, and combining and improving ideas, you’ll be better able to brainstorm whenever it’s needed.
Fundera created an infographic on how to brainstorm brilliant ideas. Read on for some inspiration. Then, get brainstorming!
![How To Brainstorm Brilliant Ideas [Infographic]](https://cdn.confessionsoftheprofessions.com/infographics/brainstorming-ideas-infographic.jpg)
