Conquer FEAR for Creative Results
Every time I have been in a brainstorming session I find that there are two types of individuals. One type that does not mind throwing out an idea, or adding onto an existing idea, and the other who sits and listens and provides feedback, such as, “I like that”, or “that’s pretty good”. That same individual (if he/she does not comment further or present ideas) is also known as “fear minded:” Unsure how others will take their ideas, and therefore simply afraid to present them. These individuals also tend to talk themselves out of a good idea, looking for anomalies from everyday life. “My idea has to be done, it came to easy.” Or my personal favorite, “everyone is going to think it’s a bad idea.”
Fact of the matter is, no idea is a bad idea. If for some reason you believe it to be a bad idea, then stop for a second and remember, your thoughts are generated through your own personal creative capacity. Nobody on this planet has the same mind capabilities you posses. Sure we think alike, but we also think differently. Your angle can be far different than anyone else’s angle and that is what makes every idea a good idea. It’s a way of collaboration and often times, one idea leads to an even larger idea.
So take it from me, the next time you are going into a brainstorming session, leave the fear outside the door. Force yourself to present your thoughts, and you will notice how much creative freedom that brings. And for the final note, do not ever tell another person their idea is bad or completely wrong. It ruins the environment and concentration of that individual. Learn to push a small idea into a big idea that is simple.
Cheers
Mitesh Solanki
Similar Posts:
Brainstorming Technique - Free Association
Carnival of Creative Idea Engineering #1
Questions Bring Great Creative Results
June 15th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Mitesh, you could not have mentioned this any better. I loved your insight and have been silently reading your blog. It is one of the easiest reads and makes great sense. I am going to be passing this onto folks at my company. They need to read about this too…Keep it coming my friend…
June 15th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
i have one thing to say, encouraging mitesh. i have tried to speak up at times in a meeting but many times cannot find the courage to for that same reason. i am that second person and always feel this sense of fear inside of me to share my ideas. i think of them to be good at times, but then i actually do talk myself out of it. Glad to hear that I am not the only one. I will be back for sure, here is an idea for a post, “how to jump out of your fear?”
- thanks masaad
June 16th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Reality is truth and you said it best. I agree with you, great post!!!
June 19th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Fourteenth Edition of the Carnival of Improving Life…
…