For hard-driving, goal oriented folks, it can be hard to tell yourself, don’t just do something, sit there. It can make you antsy just to let yourself think when you aren’t pursuing a particular end.
But coming up with new ideas, good ones, should be on your project list. It’s one of those ongoing projects that has no deadline but will improve your productivity greatly (not urgent but important), so you need to make time for it.
James Ledoux has a good simple technique for catching what he calls “brain rain.” He also refers to an Inc.com article about brainstorming that says individual brainstorming is actually more effective than traditional group brainstorming. That’s partly because you’re not distracted by what the boss will think, or having your ideas rejected by the group. One place you’re pretty unlikely to be disturbed: the shower. Good place to have an electronic voice recorder handy!
Comment Preview