Six Rules of Brainstorming

Brainstorming is by far the best way to unlock the human brain and cultivate new ideas. It is important for you to remember the art of brainstorming is not found in linear thinking it is found in global thinking.

What is meant by the idea of "Global Thinking"? Global thinking is NOT taking an idea and thinking of it in its exactness, but the complete opposite. Take an idea and think of it in its inexactness.

Example Of Inexact Thinking

A marketing team is attempting to think of logo for a new start up dot com company. The company provides supplies for pets and also is a pet matching service for local humane societies. Now the linear thinker brainstorms by sighting words such as food, bird seed, dogs, cats, fish, dog coats, bird feeder, animal protection...

The global thinker creates abstract ideas which come to mind with no regard to their rightness or exactness to the discussion. You see, brainstorming is not about being right it is about being creative. You must learn to unlock your subconscious thinking so you can enable the creative mental juices to flow. The global thinker, when asked about the logo, may mention things like life, forests, dogs, running, flying, health, usability, fun, litter box, colors, toys, exotic animals, laughter, pet suitcases, kids...

Implement A Brainstorm

The best way to implement a brainstorm is get a blank piece of paper. In the middle of the paper draw a circle. In the circle right down the main idea you or your team wants to brainstorm. Now start by closing your eyes and thinking about the idea. The first idea that comes to mind jot it down outside the circle and draw a circle around it. Connect that circle to main idea with a line. Don't spend too much time thinking -- just write down all ideas which come to mind. I highly recommend every couple of minutes repeating the main brainstorm idea. Below is an illustration of the Pet.com store in a brainstorm.

Pet.com Store Brainstorm

Six Rule of Brainstorming

Here are six great brainstorming rules to remember as you head into any brainstorming session.

1. No critical judgment (there is no right or wrong ideas)
2. Write everything down
3. Wild ideas accepted – the crazier the better
4. More is better – Don’t worry about the quality yet!
5. Keep adding to, adapting, and changing the idea
6. Have fun doing it!