How to boost your creativity and productivity with brainstorming techniques

Whether you’re looking to spark some ideas for a school project, or that next big work presentation, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we look at brainstorming, a powerful technique that can help you generate new and innovative ideas, solve problems, and even improve your productivity!

Ready? Let’s get into it.

Why brainstorming boosts your creativity and productivity

It breaks mental blocks

Brainstorming can help you overcome the barriers or limitations that prevent you from thinking creatively or productively. By allowing yourself to think freely and openly, you can access new perspectives, insights, and possibilities that you may not have considered before.

You’re left with more options

It goes without saying, but brainstorming can help you generate a wide range of ideas and solutions that you can choose from (or combine) later on. By increasing the quantity and diversity of your options, you can increase the quality and suitability of your final outcome.

It enhances collaboration

Yep, brainstorming can help you improve your teamwork and communication skills, especially if you do it in groups. By sharing and building on each other’s ideas, you can create a positive and supportive environment that fosters creativity and productivity. You can also learn from each other’s experiences, knowledge, and feedback.

Motivation skyrockets

If you find a task boring or challenging, brainstorm some ideas and watch your enthusiasm and motivation skyrocket. You see, by making the process fun and engaging, you can increase your energy and commitment to your goal. You can also reward yourself for your efforts and achievements. (Win-win!)

How to make the most of brainstorming

Define your goal

Before you start brainstorming, you need to have a clear and specific goal or question that you want to address. This will help you focus your thoughts and direct your efforts towards a relevant and meaningful outcome.

Set a time limit

You need to set a reasonable and realistic time limit for your brainstorming session, depending on the complexity and urgency of your task. This will help you avoid wasting time or losing focus. You can also use a timer or an alarm to remind you of the deadline.

Write everything down

You need to record every idea or solution that comes to mind, no matter how silly or impractical it may seem. You can use a pen and paper, a whiteboard, a computer, or any other tool that suits you. Writing down everything will help you remember and organise your thoughts, as well as spark more ideas.

Suspend judgment

You need to refrain from evaluating or criticising your own or others’ ideas during the brainstorming session. You need to accept and appreciate every contribution, without dismissing or rejecting it. Suspending judgment will help you create a safe and open space for creativity and productivity.

Be diverse

Try and come up with as many different and unique ideas or solutions as possible, without repeating or copying others. Being original and diverse will help you increase the chances of finding the best solution for your goal.

Review and refine

Once you’re done brainstorming, review and refine your ideas or solutions, using criteria such as feasibility, relevance, effectiveness, and impact. Select the most promising or suitable option for your goal, or combine or modify some of the options to create a better 1. (Psst, don’t forget to test and implement your solution, and monitor and evaluate its results.)