Creativity: Five Tips for Generating Ideas?

Answer 1

Whether you’re taking a writing class or dreaming up the next big business idea, chances are at some point during your academic and/or professional career you’ll be asked to tap into your creativity. Here are five tips for generating ideas.

·

Let your mind wander.This may sound counterintuitive when you need a good idea (immediately!), but letting your mind wander/daydreaming can be a great way to access deeper levels of creativity. Turn on some inspiring music, close your eyes, and let the ideas come to you. Some people find that their minds wander when engaging in exercise. Do whatever works best for you. Try not to censor ideas that float into your consciousness. Just go with the flow.

·

Try something new. If you’re stuck in a rut, choose to do an activity that you have never done before. Simply the act of doing something new with your body and brain has the power to spark new, creative ideas.

·

Have a group idea session. Sometimes an assignment requires you to come up with an idea on your own. At other times, it’s appropriate (and more beneficial) to use the knowledge of your classmates and/or colleagues to generate new ideas that could be useful to all of you. Plan a group idea session during which you all share your thoughts and build upon one another’s ideas.

·

Write it down. Write down any ideas (even snippets of ideas) that come to you. Keep a notebook in your bag for these very moments. When you’re looking for a new idea, consult your notebook to see if perhaps you thought of it before and now the time has come to use it.

·

Sleep on it. After you’ve been actively thinking about your assignment all day, go ahead and let your subconscious take over. You never know what excellent ideas could come to you in your dreams. (Just make sure to write them down as soon as you wake up!)