Stuck for ideas? Need to come up with something creative but unsure where to start?

Learning a few simple brainstorming techniques can help you quickly get your creative juices flowing. Brainstorming rapidly generates many ideas; with a longer and better list of ideas, you have more choices to select from when you decide to take action.

Here, I’ll share with you a simple technique called structured brainstorming. This is an excellent activity to do by yourself when you want to generate a list of ideas. The list of ideas could be anything - vacation ideas, new business ideas, ideas for a new book, a new website, literally anything. In any endeavor where it’s important to create new and better ideas, brainstorming can help.

Structured brainstorming techniques have two main parts.

First, allow yourself to enter a creative state of mind. Consider using music, relaxation techniques, or colorful art or toys to help you get into a creative state. Once there, make a list of as many ideas as you possibly can for your subject. They do not have to be good ideas. They don’t even have to be finished ideas. Just get as many ideas as you possibly can. Set a timer and allow yourself to brainstorm for at least 10 minutes.

As you’re doing this, there is an important rule that thou shalt not break: "Do NOT critique or edit any of your ideas." Completely refrain from saying, "Oh, that’s not good" or "Oh, that will never work." Turn your internal editor off completely and simply allow yourself to come up with as many ideas as possible.

Second, after and only after you have come up with an exhaustive list of ideas, turn your internal editor back on. Allow yourself to enter into a more analytical state of mind. Read through your list of ideas. Ask yourself:

• What do you notice in your list of ideas? What jumps out at you?

• What are the themes?

• How might you organize or combine ideas?

• Which are the best 5-10 ideas?

• What makes them good?

• How might you rank these ideas?

Then, turn your ideas into action. Which 2-3 ideas do you like best? How might you take action on them? What's the next step?

You can also use structured brainstorming techniques with groups. But, in order to avoid group-think during the brainstorming process (which can actually lead to fewer ideas), be sure to do individual brainstorming first. Then reconvene the group, compile all the ideas, and then let the group come up with some more by building on the existing ideas. By following this process you can harness the power of both individual and group brainstorming, without the negative effects of group behavior.

Good luck!