For our next post I was required to read this article by Mitch Ditkoff called 14 ways to get breakthrough ideas. The article was fascinating and incredibly truthful. I like to think that I can come up with some very good ideas given the right situation, in fact my best ideas are usually right after I wake up. So I keep a journal next to my bed in case I dream something good up, I can write it down right away. To read the article visit...
The first suggestion that I would like to take note of is FANTASIZE.
This word is perfect for the type of creative freedom you need to come up with a compelling story or idea. Let you mind wander, dreams are often the best place to look for the next best idea. Its as if your brain is connecting information without you telling it to and then giving you the result in an idea form. The article even references that most people look at fantasizing in a perverted way but in reality it is a way in which you can unlock the power of your own imagination.
The second concept I thought was important in one's creative process is BRAINSTORM.
Simple concept yet so many people skip this critical step. Not every idea is going to come right away. You need multiple opinions and multiple ideas from a group of people. The article makes a clear distinction between "group-think" and getting together to brainstorm. By brainstorming together to "spark each others brilliance". This is a critical step when trying to come up with ideas. We all know that your a genius and you will be the next Steven Spielberg and your ideas are unbelievable but its extremely important to have other opinions before creating a final product.
The final concept I choose to evaluate from the article was to TOLERATE AMBIGUITY.
You are not always going to have the best idea right away. Often, your first idea is simply a stepping stone to the bigger picture. The article describes how to "get comfortable with discomfort". Don't settle with what you have because there might be something better. During my Media 101 class professor cooper spoke about learning or training for you last job. Your first job will most likely be under your skill level, you must tolerate the fact that your not going to be the best right away. You may even mess up a couple of times along the way, however its where you go from there that will define your success.
The question then prompts, what new ideas are bubbling on the brink of a breakthrough? In what ways can you stay with it, even if something in you is impatient for a breakthrough?
I think the most simple example I can think of is coming up with ideas for movies. So many times you can easily cling to a certain idea but you must listen to the opinions of everyone else as well as realize it should not be your final solution. When your creating it, understand there will be ups and downs. You may like how one scene likes but hate the next. Its easy to get flustered and give up, its hard to tolerate your failings but understand its for a reason and it will help you learn.
There are many other techniques that one can use to help create good ideas. Its not about rushing to a conclusion but rather experiencing the process and I believe these few steps really provoke that. In the end you can create whatever you want, when you want to create it, your artistic freedom is essentially limitless in a world that always has more room for new ideas. So I urge you next time, when you have a good story, even a simple movie scene, pop into your head, write it down. You may not ever use it but that is your intellectual property that you could potentially someday use.
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