Brainstorming at Java Cafe
A couple of days ago, I posted a note about brainstorming resulting in innovative ideas. The purpose of the post was to show the base brainstorming process and then explain some of the traps associated with trying to implement the ideas from the session.
Des Walsh, over at Business and Blogging, made a comment on that post that specifically said to not forget to get away from the desk to brainstorm because you will be more relaxed and create room for creativity. He suggested going to the coffee shop to get away from it all, except I’m from Seattle-land and we take to coffee like Seattleites take to water. Or something like that.
But the comment is a good extension of the post. What conditions work best for brainstorming? Are there different conditions for the office compared to your personal life? What conditions work better in a group versus when you are brainstorming by yourself?
Its these types of comments that us Pimps love because it makes us pine for the answer. Now I have to go find what conditions work best. Any good places to start?
Creativity comes when I have no distractions. So I find grabbing a pen and notebook and going for a walk (or a run if you are a bit of a fitness nut like me) somewhere pretty gets the ideas flowing out.
For me I have to start with a hot shower or (sadly) taking a smoke break. I also need to either pace (when working out an idea) or draw on a whiteboard or play load music. Or a combination of all three.