I've been in college for 3 years, and my entrepreneurship class is the first class I have taken that I feel is so fun, valuable and interesting that I am going to share my class notes with you online. My professor Bill Rossi is not only knowledgeable, but experienced and really knows what he is talking about (more than I can say for a number of my past profs).
These methods and tips for developing creativity can really be applied to anything; web design, entrepreneurial ideas are my two motivations.
Opposites Attract:
Put two seemingly nonsensical things together to see outcome
- Camera with no film -> Digital Camera?
- Bookstore with no books -> Amazon.com?
- Moving trucks with no movers -> U-Haul?
Trigger ideas:
- everyday items that stimulate brain
- put where seen often, fridge, phone, dashboard
- never know when a connection will be made
- The word 'focus' on your desktop might remind you to focus
Sweat It:
- Someone said genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration
- Exercise gets endorphins (creative juices) flowing
- Let your mind wander while jogging
Remember your wildest dreams:
- Dreams sometimes starting place for creativity
- Subconscious devoid of cultural constraints
ex: Elias Howe dreamt cannibals pierced his flesh with spears, thus the sewing machine was invented
Getting Past Mental Blocks:
- Suspending judgement (no matter how crazy the idea) increases idea output
- Being clever means fewer ideas but higher quality (although Prof Rossi feels that in this instance the more ideas you throw on the table the more likely you will come up with something golden).
- Best ideas come well after idea generating exercises (My best ones come in the shower or while I'm falling asleep)
He also stressed to always look for a second right answer. Just because the first solution might work, or is most obvious doesn't mean there isnt a better solution.
All the lectures are actually online, and I was contemplating on posting a playlist with all the lectures on it online, but it might be against school policy or something.... I have some notes from a few past lectures I have found especially valuable and will post them at a later date as well, if people seem to enjoy this.
09:12 AM on 03.26.04
He also stressed to always look for a second right answer. Just because the first solution might work, or is most obvious doesn't mean there isnt a better solution.
That's a pretty good thing to learn. Most people don't realize there's more than one right way of doing things. Glad you're enjoying your class :)