creative quickies: the wonders of 15 minute time restraints

I’ve noticed a definite pattern in the countless jam sessions I’ve had with colleagues and clients ... the best idea gems often surface in the last few minutes.

A morning spent teasing out the best strategy... Two hours back ‘n forthing on what to name the campaign... And, just as you’re clearing away the coffee cups and packing up your sticky notes, someone says, “You know...what if we just called it Whazam and went direct to whozit?” Silence. Everyone looks at each other and someone exclaims, “That’s it!”

Those innermost feelings that needed to be spoken, the winning formula ... they often slip onto stage as the curtain is getting ready to drop, because we’ve stopped performing and relax into the creative high. It’s usually at the end of meeting when people start to joke and goof off. We save comfort and play for last.

CREATIVE QUICKIES ARE THE WAY TO GO: 15 MINUTE JAM SESSIONS
If the good stuff so often surfaces at the end, then the trick is to end it sooner. Quit while you're ahead. Short idea intervals work wonders. “Let’s jam on the story line for 15 minutes.” And stick to it. Then you can brainstorm on fund raising for 15 minutes. The pressure gets the energy rising. The bursts of creative focus will start to feed each other. It’ll all weave into a big picture.

Really good ideas often come when:
: We get distracted. Consider distraction fodder for brainstorming. So go ahead, let your mind wander in meetings and tie it back to the issue at hand. Thinking about what’s for dinner may trigger a great marketing strategy.
: Our defenses are down: when you feel like there’s nothing to lose and that you won’t be criticized.
: We’ve exhausted the possibilities and give up. “Give up” is the operative term here. When we stop looking so hard, the view expands - and you can see what's sparkling just within your reach.

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