Initially let's just imagine that the idea is neither good nor bad - think about IDEA - the idea of that word even. The Idea of Idea.
Sit still and think about that for a minute. Think about what Albert said in one of the worlds best ever quotations!
“Everyone sits in the prison of his own ideas. A human being is a part of the whole called by us “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” – Albert Einstein
How do the ideas you have even happen? Whether the idea was 'to go on holiday' or crack a complex business conundrum - the idea still has to emerge. Have you ever thought where and how that happened?
The mind is still mostly unknown to us humans - so we can only really use our current language and concepts to even have this discussion. But basically it 'drags' bits of 'data' into view - into the minds eye. Ergo the more input - the more stimulus - the better chance of successful ideas. Right? Hmm. Well I'm not so sure about that.
Other factors need to be considered I think.
The quality of that input is certainly important - but also crucial is the value and relevance we ascribe to each chunk of that data. In addition there is a curious constant - a mercurial 'dynamic-ranking' process going on. Let's call that the 'context' for our decision making.
Depending on this context there is a bias, a lens applied to the way we think. The mind then 'games' the data against its own paradigm (frame of reference). This happens in a heartbeat. Suddenly the idea is there. Half formed or less. Sometimes it can't be grasped. It's often like a dream that disappears the moment you wake. The mind will base the 'idea' on all this stuff going on. But more importantly on what it feels is missing.
So an idea being birthed has to make it quite a long way but what sparked that initial explosion, that spark to occur? To me it is the void, the gap and a given need - these factors force me to 'think' and that draws on my mind to (almost) immediately pull on the resources it has - and in so doing come up with yet more creative 'ideas'.
The question though is can this process be learned (or indeed improved) in some way? (We are all born with the ability to think)
This intrigues me so I list the principles which are important for me. I think they are vital to the seeker of better ideation. Those who want to learn. I want to see if we can add or improve the pool of idea wizards!
1. Obsessive curiosity for everything. Everything that's relevant to your field of study and everything that potentially could be. That's everything!
2. A palpable consciousness that everything you currently know is merely context for what you didn't know. And when you know something new you are prepared to re-assess everything.
3. Comfort with the antithesis. Get ready to embrace the unacceptable. Be cool with what you don't like or understand. Just because it's an alien concept to you doesn't mean there isn't a lesson in there somewhere.
4. Exercise your brain every day. Try to discipline your resident cynic, your sceptical demon, your default behaviours on certain things. Be prepared to widen your definitions on the words and phrases that you dish out every day.
5. Become conscious of your own ideation process. Try to sense when you are having an idea. The chances are it's not the right idea - yet - but if you follow it and let your mind free to explore where it went or came from then you might find a richer seam.
6. Learn to feel your brain 'thinking' - it comes from your whole body but the brain is the place all the adding up gets done.
7. Define the values that contribute to being an 'idea wizard'. Humility, Persistence, Curiosity, Humor, Eclecticism and so on... Figure out what drives your own version of these values and causes you to bring on better ideas.
8. Constant benchmarking. Ideas are a joyous thing. They are the raw material of life. They bring refreshment to conversation or solutions to the planet. Check in with them to see if you think they have value when compared to your benchmark of acceptability. Then raise it!
Any ideas?
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