10 ways to come up with breakthrough ideas

Bet you did not once lamented: "Why is not my idea?". Usually this happens with us when we hear about simple ideas and products that brought millions of creators. Why did not I come up with Dropbox and suitcases on wheels? Why can not I wrote "Harry Potter" and did not get a million dollars for the slogan, "Mmmm... Danon»? How to create breakthrough ideas? This explains an expert on creativity Michael Mikalko.

Allow yourself to creativity

Let's start with an interesting history. One director of a serious publishing wondered lack of creativity among the staff in editorial and marketing departments. He invited psychologists upscale and laid before them the task to identify the differences creative and a mediocre person.

The whole year the team of psychologists worked with the staff, and that's what we found out. It turns out that among the members of the two groups was only one difference. Creative people expressed their boundless confidence in the fact that they are creative. While mediocre staff were absolutely sure that they have no creativity.

Remember, the first step towards a good idea - to admit that you are able to come up with it. If you are sure that you are not a creative person, you never come up with anything.

opens new

The most different information revolves around us and can help to create something new. See coming promotions, notice trends in marketing, new to the market. Read any newspaper and even leaflets handed out on the streets.

As a result, viewing all this information what conclusions can you draw about the economy, business and culture? What are the stars today at the peak of popularity? Why are they exactly, and not anyone else? Who are the heroes of our time? And what benefits can you remove it from all of this information garbage?

conceptual deadline

Just imagine, in my entire life incomparable Thomas Edison patented the invention as much as 1093! Every day he exercise his mind and was open to everything new. Every 10 days, he invented something small, and every six months - something extraordinary.

You can also set for itself a certain quota for ideas. For example, every day to generate two new ideas. Naturally, some of these ideas will be stupid or already existing, but just imagine how many new ideas you can adopt!

Even if on the first ideas you wrestle week, then thought themselves will revolve in your head, generating more and more new ideas.

Do not be afraid to experiment with everything that comes to hand

If at first this exercise will seem silly, that then you will understand all of its essence. Coming up with innovative ways of applying the usual things, you train your mind and make it more flexible.

Try to take the grease WD-40 and come up with five more non-standard ways of using it. Of course, velotsepey lubrication and keyholes are not considered. After all, for that she invented. For example, you can use the tool to grease the pole for the birdhouse (not climbed the cat), for the lubrication of musical instrument strings, and so on. Starting to train your brain each day, you will very soon see the first results.

Look for meaning even in meaningless things

Pioneer psychologist Guilford creativity and firmly believed that the development of creativity to be seen even in the sense of senseless things. Here you have one more exercise: Take a random 10 any words that come to your mind, and try to take out of them a friendly suggestion. You can train as much as necessary.

Keep a journal for ideas

And every day, write down the ideas flowing. After some time, you will definitely see the connection between the ideas generated and the everyday problems of people.

For example, you chew gum and you suddenly visited by the idea to create a chewing gum for the measurement of stress levels. And after a while you will come to mind to measure the pH level by using all of the same gum. Just imagine, a person chews the cud. If after 5 minutes it turned blue, then everything is in order, if blush - have to go home and go to bed.

Play with words and images

If you want to come up with something new, you can start by changing the words. How? Here's an example: the French production company manager OV'Action set out to develop a unique food product. But how to do it, if all of the known products already on the market?

He went the other way and replaced the word "unique" and "develop" the words "awesome" and "reform." As a result, and the problem faced by a new for him: instead of creating something new, he set out to transform something into something amazing standard. Initially, he thought it would have surprised him the most. And in the end I came up with the square boiled egg with the yolk and the shelf life of nearly a month. Moreover, the eggs suitable for reheating in a microwave oven.

stretch task

Ask yourself, "Why?". That is what will help you understand the basic purpose and understand the assumptions leading to a rethinking of the problem. Imagine that you face the challenge to sell as many computers as possible. So, what are your actions?

Step 1: ask yourself, "Why would I want to sell more computers?" - "Because sales are falling."

Step 2: "Why would I want to sell more computers?" - "So I increase sales."

Step 3: "Why would I want to increase sales?" - "Because in that case, I'll get a big salary."

Generally, phrases like "How can I get rich" help to cover all sorts of ways and methods of earning money. You can ask for salary increase, you can open your own business, to do investment and so on. Human possibilities are endless at times.

Squeeze the task

Once you understand what to look for, and get a general idea of ​​the problem, squeeze it and turn it into a private and a specific idea. In this case, you will help to asking the right questions. Here is an example.

One project company set out to design a creative and functional container for disposal. To compress the ideas management has set the right questions: "Who will be able to create a container?", "Where can I get the materials?", "What form could be the original?" And the like. As a result, the objectives the idea of ​​a plastic bin that is stored in a folded state.

Use the riddles and puzzles

It is worth knowing that the various riddles, puzzles and puzzles are very well develop your brain and help to think outside the box. That is why most crossword puzzles and all kinds of charades. And we will help you with this.

Look at the arithmetic expression with Roman numerals. It is composed entirely wrong. Question: Is it possible to fix it without touching the matches without adding or removing them?

And now the answer to solving the problem you have to give up the standard of looking at things. When you practice one perspective, then you do drive themselves to certain limits. Try to look at an example of a solution in a new way, and you will succeed.

Finally we advise you to never give up and do not deviate from the target.

By the way, how many minutes did it take you to solving a rebus last?

Based on the book "Rice assault and 21 more way to think outside the box»