Monday 28 May 2012

TOOLS YOU NEED TO GENERATE IDEAS (PART1)


Good day to you, hope your life is improving and you are thinking of when the breakaway Idea will come. Yes! I will be telling you 10Tools you needs to generate Ideas.
I will be putting them in Part1 and Part2. This are some of the tools that has been helping me over the years. Let’s get started.

1. Define the Problem.
To generate ideas to solve any kind problems you need a starting point. You will not be able to travel from Lagos to Akure, unless you pass through Ibadan. If you don't exactly know where you are you will need a map to pinpoint your current location and then gradually drive your way to Akure. It is imperative that you establish where you are before looking to progress. In other words study the road that will take you to Akure thoroughly.

2. Brainstorm.
You have quite probably heard of this brilliant method. Simply, when a group of people get together and simply write down as much as you can in relation to the objectives outlined. Don't worry about strategic planning or anything like that. Concentrate solely on idea generation. Place a time limit on the group and choose the location and the time well so that they are conducive to performance. Make sure that everybody is at their peak and has been instructed to "Think Big". I have been able to deliver stunning designs after a very healthy brainstorming session. Brainstorming does not apply to group alone, You can brainstorm alone. Look out for my post on HOW TO BRAINSTORM ALONE in the 2week of June.

3. Focus Entirely On What You Want.
To give your ideas the best chance to sprout for your business, personal solutions you are going to need to switch off to outside influences. Tolerate nothing! Eradicate the distractions, the daily frustrations and predictable dramas of your life once and for all! Don't just fix the problem, re-design your routine so the predictable irritations can't ever bother you again!

4. Have a Genuine Interest in What You Are Trying to Solve.
Do you remember your schooling days when you participated in sports (or particular class subjects) that you absolutely detested; as back then, they were compulsory? Do you remember how good you were at these activities? Probably not as it doesn't present itself as a good memory. But it's probably safe to say that you didn't perform well. It's very very difficult to perform magnificently at something you're not overly fond of. If you have a vested interest in what it is you're trying to do, the likelihood of success is multiplied substantially. If you are trying to solve something that bores you to tears for heaven’s sake give it to someone who really likes it. This concept encompasses teamwork which is another subject altogether. If you are self-employed you will have an automatic interest (taking into account that you have a vision of what you want your business to become).

5. Look at Parallel Problems and Solutions.
Relate your current problem to one that you had in the past and check for parallels between the two. The way(s) earlier problems were solved can assist you greatly in generating ideas to solve subsequent situations that present themselves. Think laterally, think vertically, think logically. Give yourself as much opportunity to be creative by listening twice as much as speaking. Do this as informally as possible and get past situations into the open. You can then draw on the past successes and take them a step further with the challenge of today.

The above tools are some of the tools you need in generating Ideas; in Part 2, I will be talking more on 5 more tools you need to generate Ideas.
Feel free to send your comments to ideasandyoublog@gmail.com

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