How does it start? Well with me, I usually have a topic and need to figure out solutions. For example, I’m taking Power Teaching with Pamela Slim. (Great class by the way!) So, I had to come up with an idea for a class I want to teach, I started coming up with even more…by the time I was done I had roughly ten. I had to stop it was getting overwhelming.
Lots of ideas might seem great but often deciding what idea to use can stop you from taking action. I know people who will spend months trying to decide on how to proceed. Nothing is good enough or they are all great. Either way nothing gets done.
Since I know I have idea-itis I decided to pick one, not necessarily the best idea but just an idea to work with. I could spend the next several weeks worrying about which was best rather than working through the concepts in the class. Any idea, needs to worked through or acted upon to see any results. Living in fear that it isn’t good enough will accomplish nothing except making you feel bad about your idea…and ultimately yourself.
Action is the real measure of intelligence – Napoleon Hill
If the idea fails you will at least get feedback, be able to change it and try again. I highly recommended keeping either an idea book or file so that you can keep a list of ideas you have for projects – personal and professional.
I guarantee most won’t get used but in there will be a gem that you can use now or later.
Since I’m a independent contractor interviewing for new gigs happens quite often. As I’ve mentioned before I’m a visual thinker so I prepare for interviews in a way that works for me. During a recent interview one of the interviewers noticed my notes and she asked to see them. Not exactly what I was expecting but hey you have to roll the dice.
What I do
Before most meetings, interviews included I tend to make mindmaps to make the information I need easy to access. One glance and I get a cue as to what is going on and why. For interviews I create 2 separate maps, one map contains the meeting details and the second one is usually just a bunch of questions that I want to ask. I usually put more interview questions than I need and check off the ones I want to ask either before the interview or during the process since sometimes the questions I have get answered during the process. No point in asking the same question twice.
The Interview MindMap
The Questions MindMap
Get the files:
Customize and use freely. I add relevant information as needed to make it work. This map can be modified to accommodate other kinds of meetings as well. Download MindManager from Mindjet or use whatever mindmapping software you prefer.
Can innovation be reduced to a process? Well that debate has been raging about design thinking for several years. Some think it’s a failure others believe it works. With any process or idea the question ultimately is..does it work? It depends. Not every process works for every situation.
Thinking like a designer can transform the way you develop products, services, processes—and even strategy. ~ Tim Brown
Here are several articles, resources and videos about design thinking. Some are for it, others describe its failures and other discuss what it is and how to use it.
Flickr Photos
