I know it’s not easy. You get up first thing in the morning to check your email. You instant message with your old college roommate once a week. You’ve begun to go by your online moniker in real life haven’t you, Supercyber 79? I heard you even met your spouse over the Internet. If you’ve been breathing since the middle ’90’s, chances are there’s little that you don’t do without a computer. I can’t remember the last time I used a stamp to pay a bill. Heck, I can’t remember the last time I used a pen to write a letter. It’s fast, convenient and simple to interact in any number of ways while staring into the soft, warm glow of your computer screen as you work, play and dream. But – believe it or not – there are some times when you should just say “No!” to the siren song of digital technology. When it comes to brainstorming, all you need is your brain…and maybe a pencil…and a piece of paper. That’s why they don’t call it “computerstorming”.
A Note From The Beatles
Paul McCartney has told interviewers over the years that he wouldn’t dream of using a computer when he is seeking the counsel of his muse. Sir Paul says anything more than a pencil and a pad is a distraction. This advice holds for presenters as well. The two things you will need are focus, and the free flow of thoughts.
Focus, Grasshopper
When one is trying to engage in a torrent of free flowing ideas, it can be easy to get off track. Think of one or two words that express the essence of your presentation. Write them at the top of your page or spell them out on a wallboard. Now you know exactly where you are going, and you’re free to find the best way to get there!
Let Go
The hardest part of brainstorming is overcoming the natural tendency to edit oneself. Again, Sir Paul says this is the kiss of death. In fact, his process seeks quality from quantity. Let every idea out, no matter how tangential or seemingly unrelated. Remember, you already know your goal, so you can’t get lost! Think fast. Connect ideas and write them down quickly without pausing to ruminate. Once you have a number of ideas, begin to sift, refine and delete. You may just find you have the beginnings of a masterpiece of your own.
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