What is an idea & how do you create them?

“An idea is nothing more nor less than a new combination of old elements”

How do I generate an idea?

THINK LATERALLY

https://www.solveforx.com/loon/

DRAW THE PROBLEM, DRAW THE SOLUTIONE X E R C I S E O N E

CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS E X E R C I S E T W O

Louis Sullivan's Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. Building

PARALLEL WORLDSE X E R C I S E T H R E E

burdock burrs.

REVERSE THINKINGE X E R C I S E F O U R

Eg: How can I triple my business network in a month?’

could become

‘How can I make sure that nobody wants to

connect with me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcaKocRXCB4

The five stages of an idea

1GATHER RAW MATERIALS T E P O N E

- Specific to the idea i.e ‘Elevator construction’

- General research i.e ‘Deep sea diving’

2DIGEST THE MATERIALS T E P T W O

- Look for connections / new relationships

- Look from every angle - turn it upside down and

inside out - think laterally

3UNCONSCIOUS PROCESSINGS T E P T H R E E

- 88% of our influence comes from subconscious

- Let it go, leave it alone, let your brain work

THE A-HA MOMENTS T E P F O U R4- This is usually what we call the lightbulb moment

- Live it because the power of the idea is here

- Write it all down

5IDEA MEETS REALITYS T E P F I V E

- Test the idea

- Tell people

- Don’t give up - the idea may need to change

1. GATHER INFORMATION 2. LOOK FOR A CONNECTION 3. WALK AWAY FROM IT 4. WRITE THE IDEA DOWN 5. TEST IT IN THE WILD

T O S U M M A R I S E …

12345

“The habit of mind which leads to a search for relationships between facts, becomes of the

highest importance in the production of ideas.”

Questions?