Continuing from my earlier post on SIMPLE STEPS TO GET THE IDEAS FOLLOWING:

INCUBATION:

For complex problems or more difficult issues you may need to sleep on it, or "dreamwork", The terms comes from Michael Ray of Stanford Uniervsity's Graduate School of Business. Dr Ray runs a university course called Creativity in Business, and is the author of a book bearing the same title.

Just before sleeping, he says: Ask a clear question about the problem or key issue. Remember you are attempting to maintain a spirit of enquiry. State the question in a way that will give further insight into the problem."

INSIGHT:

On waking up the next mprning, just jot down - on the flipside of your idea map - the ideas or insights that pop into your brain. Or the ideas could come while you are in the toilet or during the morning shower, or while you are having your breakfast or when you are in the car or the MRT train. It would, therefore, be a good idea always to carry a micro-cassette recorder as well as a pocket notebook.

Several ideas or solutions would have emerged. How would one decide on the right one?

Take a leaf from management consultant Westin H Agor. He reports that psychological tests on more than 2,000 managers in the United States showed that effective managers rely on their feelings and intuition when they make their most important decidions. So use both your analytical and untuitive mind, and simple feeling, to help you sift through  the many options based on waht is important to you.

Once you have figured out what to do, take action. And be persistent!

[To be continued in the Next Post]