Thinking ruts, brain fog, mental restrictions remaining from pandemic isolation….. Any of these can impede our ability find creative ideas and approaches to situations we face. Those situations are impacted by the multitude of things we are dealing with at this moment in history. We have information overload, deluge of media, dealing with the lasting effects of the pandemic, political stress and toxicity, our personal and family situations – and more. It can be really challenging to generate great ideas!
In all aspects of our lives, how can we manage all of this in ways that are healthy and productive? There are tools and strategies that can really help. We are far more creative than we often realize. Here are a few tips to help you generate great ideas in many areas of life.
SCAMPER
First, utilize the SCAMPER method. SCAMPER is an idea generation technique that utilizes action verbs to prompt creative ideas. It’s based on a belief that everything new is an alteration of something that already exists. It has been used effectively in business settings for decades and is also useful in our personal lives.
SUBSTITUTE – rename the challenge or issue to look at it differently, or modifying your attitude or feeling toward it. This can be as basic as seeing an opportunity versus a crisis. Or deciding to look for the positive aspects or potential outcomes.
COMBINE – link a situation or need to another and see new possibilities, or see a two-fer approach that will satisfy more than one thing. Most of us use this as a way to relieve time stress by combining multiple errands into one trip. How else can you apply it?
ADAPT – take an idea or approach you’ve used before or know of and readjust or revise it to fit the current situation. Think back to when you successfully met a need or solved a problem and adapt it to this situation.
MODIFY (or MAGNIFY) – change an approach by multiplying, strengthening or expanding it to meet this need.
PUT TO ANOTHER USE – apply an idea used in another context to this situation
ELIMINATE – see if there are things you are considering to be essential that really aren’t, or lessen their importance and see what emerges. Or simplify.
REVERSE (or REARRANGE) – see if you can put off or reorder something or reposition it in your life and priorities
For more about how to use SCAMPER, go here: A Guide to the SCAMPER Technique for Design Thinking (designorate.com) The article focuses on business applications.
SHIFT PERSPECTIVE
It’s easy to get stuck in a particular way of viewing a situation or issue. It can be described as ‘having blinders’ to other perspectives or having ‘tunnel vision.’ Ask friends, family and acquaintances for their ideas about what you are facing. This can open you to new ways to think about it.
Another way to shift perspective is to play the ‘If I were’ game. This is simply putting yourself in the position of another person looking at your situation or putting yourself in another position. For example: If I were ____________ (a trusted person or expert), I would do this.
Or If I were 10 years older or younger/on easy street financially/in another state or country, etc., I would do this.
By trying these, you gain some distance from the dilemma and you may be surprised at the ideas that come to you.
MORE IDEAS = BETTER IDEAS
Generating great ideas is so often a numbers game. Sometimes you may get a great inspiration that’s just right without going through a lot of options. But more often, brainstorming as many ideas as possible will result in the best outcome. The key is to not filter or judge ideas that come to mind. Capture all the ideas you can and then assess them. You can generate even more great ideas by brainstorming with one or more other people.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR IDEAS
Keep track of your ideas whether they are a result of brainstorming or those that come to you ‘out of the blue.’ Many great ideas come when we aren’t trying to generate them – in the shower, on a walk, in a dream, in the middle of a conversation. If you are anything like me, too many of the ideas that come to me this way are lost. I think I will remember, but often I don’t. Get into a habit of capturing these ideas – in a notebook, an electronic note page, a program like Evernote, or a specific Idea Journal. Check out this one: Idea Journal and Planner
For another set of ideas, check out this post: 5 Stages of Creative Thinking to Enhance Your Life.
Here’s a book that addresses the importance of the right mindset when trying to solve problems as well as giving tools. Solve It!: The Mindset and Tools of Smart Problem Solvers
I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar
