Ideas are everything. Ideas are the foundation of all great documents, designs, projects, and success stories. But where can we find and discover these great ideas? This is best summarized in one word: brainstorming. We need to get in touch with ideas in such a way that we are not analytical and do not refute them when they appear. So, in many ways, brainstorming is contradictory (or at least seemingly) to deep thinking and constructive thinking. We need to allow ourselves the chance to think without worrying about whether the idea actually has any basis of tangible reality and whether implementation of the idea is possible. That is my reflection on brainstorming, in just a few words. Now, what I would like to do is present a few (five, specifically) ways in which brainstorming can manifest and the idea can really show itself. These ways are not techniques to “cause” the idea to happen. Rather, these ideas are ways to “catch” the idea, just like if you want to catch rain that is falling so you can have a drink. Put out a glass and maybe you will catch a few drops. Even as a Technical Writer who is on the “other” end of the writing spectrum (e.g. non-creative writing), it is still important to hear the voice of intuition and creativity, because sometimes existing explanations or methods simply do not work, and we must explore new and better ways of documenting a software system.

One. Get your sleep, or “ZZZZs.” I know that I have my most creative and innovative ideas in the morning following a good sleep and rest. There have been many scientific studies on the benefits of sleep and also the side effects of loss of sleep. It is a great thing to get a truly good night of sleep and awake fully refreshed. You will be able to sit down and amaze yourself, in terms of creative and focused thinking. Your mind will be rested and you will be receptive to new ideas and will have more energy to capture these ideas and work with them.

Two. Dress to think. It is very stressful to work in an environment that dictates how you must dress. This can add to your stress level and also adversely affect your ability to focus and receive ideas that might be coming your way. If you have a tie and that causes pain in your neck or extra heat in and around your neck, you’ll be thinking about discomfort as opposed to great ideas that your mind wants to catch. So, see what you can do in terms of dressing to be relaxed and able to focus on your thinking instead of some unnecessary discomfort from your attire.

Three. Exercise on a regular basis. I love to walk and when possible, also swim and hike. I used to be a jogger and biker, but since I was diagnosed with a damaged L5 disk, I have taken exercise one step back to just walking and swimming, because there is no excessive strain on that lower (lumbar) disk. Yet still, walking and swimming are powerful exercise methods, recommended by most doctors on a general scale. Medical reports can more clearly explain the benefits of walking and swimming, but you are allowing your body to stretch and get the oxygen it needs. How does exercise translate to brainstorming? I suppose like getting a good night of sleep and rest, exercise allows your body to remain fit and well and when you have your physical health, your will be able to be more receptive to ideas and enjoy a greater overall (physical) comfort level.

Four. Paper & Electronic Device. Are you a paper person when it comes to noting ideas? Are you a person who prefers to grab an iPhone or log onto your computer to note a great idea? Like Socrates once said “know thyself”! Make this proper analysis and prepare yourself accordingly. So, if you are walking down a boardwalk somewhere with your mate or good friends or kids and a great idea appears, you can “grab it” right then and there. If you are a pen and paper person, simply grab your notepad and jot down the idea. If you are an e-person, go right to your notepad kind of application and make your notes there. But, do it quickly because things move fast today. You need to annote the idea before something else comes along and you lose track of your creative thought. At least this has been my experience.

Five. Read good books and blogs. Even though I am a Technical Writer by trade, I still enjoy reading the blogs of others who are in different fields and also good e-books that I discover on the Internet. Reading challenges our current way of thinking and allows us to develop into still greater thinkers. Also, as you have creative ideas appear in your mind, you will be able to perhaps challenge and develop these ideas with the input of such written documents. Brainstorming is a collaboration of creative thinking with the hope of discovering a way to implement the idea. Sometimes, even a humor or cartoon blog has a powerful idea that gives me inspiration and allows me to see things differently.

All The Best,

Keith

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