As a creative who spends a large majority of my time coming up with fresh and new content, one thing I have learned is the importance of a good brainstorming session. In fact, brainstorming sessions are the place where great ideas are born and thought leaders thrive.
Whether you are creating a keynote presentation or a business proposal, the starting point is always the same: brainstorming. Whether you are brainstorming by yourself or with a group of people, there are a couple of key factors to getting the creative juices flowing.
Allow ample time.
The number one killer of a great idea is the clock. When you can feel the time ticking down, it’s hard not to feel the pressure of producing a new idea. That’s why when it comes to brainstorming, ample time is key. Allowing yourself that space to dream and brainstorm without the worry of the next event allows you to rest in your creativity. The amount of time needed depends entirely on you and what you are trying to accomplish, but as a general rule, give yourself 30 minutes longer than you anticipate needing between appointments to give you ample breathing room.
No idea is a bad idea.
As a Type-A personality, I know first-hand how hard it is to allow room for mistakes or weak material. I’ve come to find that my first idea is rarely the best idea, but without coming up with that first idea, I won’t be able to get to the perfect solution at the end. So give yourself a break, and don’t throw anything out. Get some giant sticky notes and post them all around your brainstorming space, then allow your stream of conscience to run wild. If you want to ensure you leave with a good idea for your next presentation, leave yourself time at the end of your brainstorm to sort through all of your ideas and land on the best one.
Take breaks.
The thing about brainstorming sessions is that they can be exhausting. After racking your brain for every creative idea you have for hours, creativity block can quickly begin to set in. However, by scheduling breaks throughout the session, you give yourself a chance to reset and zone out for a few moments. Schedule 15 minutes every hour and a half to ensure maximum creative output. Depending on the length of your brainstorm session, be sure to schedule at least an hour lunch break, preferably away from your brainstorming environment.
As presenters, we are constantly challenged to come up with new ideas and creative solutions. No matter how creative you are, that challenge requires time to think and dream. When done correctly, a good brainstorming session is not just good for your presentation, but it’s good for your creative muscles in general. Take some time to implement these three keys to your next session and see how quickly the creativity flows.
Looking for more ideas on how to be a better presenter? Check out the Presentation Mentor online course today.