Effective Brainstorming Methods For Entrepreneurs

New ideas are great, but they don’t always come at the exact moment you need them. You might find yourself in a rut and without any creative energy. I’ve been there! This can be frustrating when it comes to brainstorming, or strategically planning your side hustle. It can also slow down progress on any projects you’re working on. That’s why it’s important to have some strategic ways to get your creative juices flowing. Brainstorming is one of my favorite activities to do for my business. But it doesn’t always happen freely. Here are my top five brainstorming methods to get the creative juices flowing for your business!

The Power Of Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a creative exercise that can be vital for your business. However, it’s not always easy to do. Think of how many times you’ve been stuck in a rut and your brain just doesn’t want to work. Ladies, oftentimes this is when we are in our low-energy times of the month. This is why it’s important to have effective brainstorming strategies for when we are feeling creative, and when we aren’t.

There are many ways to brainstorm effectively, such as writing down ideas, drawing pictures, and developing diagrams. For me, I approach brainstorming from an environmental standpoint. I like to create the most comfortable environment possible filled with stretchy yoga pants, soft jazz playing, a full water bottle and a comfy seating arrangement (usually on the floor). Whatever brainstorming method you choose to take, I encourage you to also consider the environment and make yourself as comfortable as possible!

01. Sketching out an idea

Sketching out an idea can look like sketching out some type of drawing or sketching out words. When I use sketching for brainstorming methods, I like to use a giant Post-It pad like these, lay them on the floor and write out my ideas. When it comes to sketching, there are no rules! Use arrows, words, draw photos, symbols- anything to see your idea come to fruition infant of you. Sketching is also a nice way to visually see and organize the ideas that are inside your head.

02. Setting a timer

When you’re having trouble with new ideas, try setting a timer. This is hands-down one of my favorite methods to use for brainstorming and routine encouragement. Generally, people are more creative when they have less time to think about it. So, if you need to come up with new ideas quickly and don’t have time to brainstorm freely, set a timer for 20 minutes or so. In this case, writing down everything that comes to mind is key. It might not be good enough for your final purposes, but it’ll help get your mind going in different directions. Plus the race of a countdown can be thrilling and give you some extra energy! If the timer methods appeal to your personality, check out this cube flip timer that begins a countdown based on the time showing.

03. Creating a flow chart

Brainstorming for your business can feel like trying to create a puzzle without being able to see the picture on the box. It’s easy to get distracted by things that are out of place. And when you’re in the beginning stages of your business or side hustle, it’s harder to truly see the full picture of what your strategic moves look like.

I find that creating a flow chart or map is helpful in putting the pieces together and organizing my thoughts. This helps me focus on one problem at a time, instead of getting lost in tangents or forgetting what I was going for in the first place. Plus, seeing your business ideas and operations flow from one to another can be useful for understanding all of the details inside your workflows. Check out my free workflow templates here!

04. Using a partner for brainstorming

Adding a friend in for the fun can be an excellent tool for brainstorming. It is more difficult to come up with new ideas when you have to do it on your own. Or maybe you happen to have a day where you don’t feel as creative as usual. This is when adding a partner to your brainstorming session can pay off! Having a second voice and set of eyes can help you think outside of the box and get some fresh ideas. Plus, it gives you someone to bounce thoughts off of when you’re feeling stuck.

05. Create a business fantasy

One of the top ways to get your creative juices flowing is by creating a business fantasy. This is essentially a daydream that you design for a business idea that you have, but don’t think will work. This exercise is valuable because it’s not always easy to brainstorm without feeling like you need to take action right away. One way to do this is by imagining a future in which your business has been running for 20 years and all of the success that has come with that. You can imagine how much money you’ve made, and what life looks like from there. It’s important to have both positive and negative aspects of your fantasy so you can see the potential risks and rewards of pursuing this idea further.

While creating a business fantasy, ask yourself questions like:

• What does my office look like?
• What was my first viral product or service?
• What am I known for?

Ask any other questions that would help get you in tune with some of the details about your idea or project. When we choose to fantasize about our business, oftentimes we discover a few gems along the way. The sky is the limit, fantasize about your dream product or service and why you would love it as a consumer.

Create Brainstorming Meetings

Brainstorming methods are so important to create for yourself and your business. If you don’t already, schedule regular brainstorming meetings on your calendar. Treat these meetings as vital requirements for your business to grow and flourish. Big projects or small detail, allow brainstorming to deliver unique ideas that will set your business apart.

Ready to get brainstorming? Let me help! I created a 10-page brainstorming template filled with flow charts, list outlines, funnel outlines and more! Download them here for free and get started braining storming your next big (or small) idea!

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Brainstorm Your Next Big Idea With My FREE Brainstorming Templates Here!