Creativity Muscle Workouts: Observation
Brainstorming through OBSERVATION....
Many people "brainstorm" as if the only ideas they can put on their brainstorming resource are those they already have experienced or know. And to some extent this is true...
But believing "I can only gather ideas already in my brain," limits the creativity (and my extension resource) of brainstorming.
Therefore, it's important we consider ideas NOT ALREADY in our brains. How do we do that...
One way is OBSERVATION.
Here is one exercise.... take a little time to just observe somewhere.
- A garden
- A forest
- A splashpad full of children on a July afternoon
- A Costco
- A park
- A County Fair
- A busy restaurant kitchen
The list could go on... but you get my drift.
Then set your OBSERVING to a purpose...
- ACTIONS: What are people doing?
- SOUNDS: What are the sounds of this place?
- KINDNESS: What does that look like here?
- FREEDOM: What does that look like here?
- FEAR: What does that look like here?
- OVERCOMING FEAR: How are people doing this here?
- LOVE: How are people showing this here?
The list could on on... but you get it.
It's amazing what is right in front of us when we look for it.
CREATIVE MUSCLE EXERCISE #11
- Determine what you want to observe, whether for your character, for your message, for your actions/dialogue or just your own soul.
- Go 3 places and look for it.
- Allow yourself time in these places (more than 10 minutes)... some things take time to observe.
- What do you add to your BRAINSTORMING RESOURCE?
DEBRIEF:
1. Were you surprised by what you observed when you started looking for it?
2. Did you find the LACK or ABUNDANCE of the thing you were looking for? Why do you think that is?
3. Which place gave you the most ideas? Why do you think that is? (Note this for yourself for future brainstorming needs)
4. How could you use this exercise for other brainstorming needs?