How To Brainstorm

In this blog, I propose a 4 step brainstorming process that has consistently led me to solid ideas. Even when there hasn’t been any inspiration, this process has revealed great concepts to me. It takes a little persistence and humility, but in the end I think it’ll work for you too. 

Step 1 - Decide on a Main Goal 

In a perfect world, what would your idea achieve? Before you get into coming up with ideas, make sure you have a solid main goal that you’re excited about. Brainstorming becomes a war if you don’t have a main goal, because good ideas can be enticing to follow and difficult to let go of. But you don’t need the greatest idea in the world. You just need the right idea for the situation at hand. Write your main goal at the top of the chalk board really big.

Step 2 - Ideate

Write down every single idea that comes to mind. If it comes to mind then it’s probably at least loosely connected to what you want to achieve. So write it down, even if it’s stupid. Don’t edit at this stage, just think freely. Anything that comes to mind, just put it on the board. 

Step 3 - Dig Deeper

After the first wave of great ideas, you may think to yourself “is that it?” Don’t let the answer yes. Dig deeper into each idea, and ask more questions about each. What unites your ideas together? How are your ideas similar and how are they different? What’s the obvious route, and what’s the non-traditional route? It’ll feel like you’re climbing uphill for a minute, but this step is where you’ll uncover your best ideas. 

Step 4 - Edit and Arrange

Now that you have your main goal and a heap of ideas, analyze every idea in light of the main goal. If an idea doesn’t support the main goal, let it go. You’ll get to use that idea on another project soon. Arrange the ideas to work sequentially to support the main goal.

Good luck out there! I’m excited to see your ideas come to life.