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Mary Bellis

Tips for Inventing - Improve Your Ability to Brainstorm

By , About.com GuideMarch 8, 2010

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Brainstorming is a process of spontaneous thinking used by an individual or by a group of people to generate numerous alternative ideas while deferring judgment. Brainstorming is the crux of each of the stages of all problem-solving methods; and good brainstorming is great skill for inventors to have. Next time you get inventors' block try brainstorming your way clear.

How to Brainstorm

  • Suspend Criticism

    Solo or in a group - people tend to automatically evaluate each suggested idea their own as well as others. Both internal and external criticism are to be avoided while brainstorming. Neither positive nor negative comments are allowed. Either type inhibits the free flow of thought and requires time which interferes with the next rule. Write ideas down as they presented/created and move on.
  • Work for Quantity

    Quantity breeds quality. People must experience a "brain drain" (get all the common responses out of the way) before the innovative, creative ideas can surface; therefore, the more ideas, the more likely they are to be quality ideas.
  • Hitchhiking Welcome

    Hitchhiking occurs when one idea produces a similar idea or an enhanced idea. All ideas should be recorded.
  • Freewheeling Encouraged

    Outrageous, humorous, and seemingly unimportant ideas should be recorded.
Comments
March 14, 2008 at 4:49 pm
(1) NewProductHelp says:

Your tips are very helpful to new inventors and seasoned inventors alike. One of the most important is to suspend criticism – you never know which idea will take off.

May 12, 2008 at 11:32 am
(2) David says:

you guys are doing just good by sending these mails, but i will need more issues that has to do with the MIND, like this brainstorming, thinking etc. thanks alot.

December 27, 2008 at 7:34 pm
(3) Caio says:

I’m new at the inventions’ world, and I think these tips are very helpful, specially for people like me, that are beginning in the inventor world. This site helps me a lot to take some ideas of my inventions, thanks a lot.

April 8, 2009 at 3:24 am
(4) HEMANT says:

Nice to read about brainstorming. This is the good way to avoid critisism any body’s idea.

Thanks a lot

June 16, 2009 at 5:07 pm
(5) Nick says:

Thank you so much. I am looking up on the grateful web the past years of video type games. Video games. I need lots of help and critical comments. Can you steer me to such a site(s)?

March 19, 2010 at 2:17 pm
(6) david brathwaite says:

your info is great. how can one be assured that his not yet patented idea will not be stolen

June 4, 2010 at 2:13 am
(7) dohendra says:

these are really inspiring ideas

November 2, 2011 at 11:25 pm
(8) Keisha Gopez says:

AWESOMEEE ! xD

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February 4, 2013 at 5:16 pm
(10) brenton givens says:

these tips are very helpful seeing as how I am a new and upcoming inventor who needs and could use the advice for my latest invention.

May 8, 2013 at 8:35 pm
(11) cheap car covers free shipping says:

Wow, this article is pleasant, my sister is analyzing such
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