One of the few rules in brainstorming is “every input is welcome.” How useless an idea might appear at first sight, it might be the opening for a new fruitful thought or a chain of next steps. Do not criticize, do not laugh at an idea others brought in. Be positive!

Brainstorm meetings can be organized in a democratic way; you could make sure you do not see the others and that the others do not see you. You do not initially know who the idea is from. More important is that one idea should generate another – as one article at ezinearticles.com fires another. The democratic brainstorm could be arranged by a set of computers that are connected. This way you could arrange a brainstorm meeting at any point during the day.

So far for the brainstorming. What is important is that little yet very powerful rule. Make sure that you have a positive attitude and the creativity follows. Now you also know when you criticize others, you are not in the creative gear. You are more likely to be in reverse.

When we criticize we destroy more than we create. The question you have to answer for yourself is, “what do I value more?” For sure it is easier to delete a document than to write one. But it gives more satisfaction, writing one than deleting one.

If you want to be (more) creative, watch out for the critical (wo)man inside you.

Hans Bool
http://www.astorwhite.com/