Idea Generation

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Task

Develop and train the ability to rapidly create ideas without spending time on questioning, justifying, criticising them. This step works with impulsivity, stimulating all kinds of ways to make new neural connections instead of habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. The main task is to show youth that there can be many ideas, they can be different, even opposed and mutually exclusive.

By completing this step, you should be able to:

  • practice various ways to generate ideas rapidly
  • apply the principles of growth mindset and idea generation
  • free yourself from creative blockage

Good to know

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi  (1934- 2021) developed the theory of flow, which is closely related to the process of generating ideas. If the level of skills and challenge is equal, a person is able to achieve a creative, productive state and maintain it for a long time. Low challenge and high level of skills lead to boredom, but the opposite combination leads to anxiety.

Tools

The time for each activity depends on the specifics of the situation. The description indicates the minimum estimate, which can be adjusted according to the possibilities. It is strongly advised not to change the sequence of the tools. If you have to choose only one of the tools, we recommend N# 3 “Paperclip Challenge”.

Methodological material

Next step – Express yourself Freely