Bring in the play

- When do you generate more ideas?…When you're staring at a computer screen…bearing down at the problem at hand?…Or when you're in a lighter, less stressful state of mind?…If you're like most people, it's probably the latter.…We generate more ideas when our mind…is engaged in open, free activities,…like when we're engaged in play.…Creativity and play share many of the same characteristics:…positive mindset, defined goal,…restrictions to overcome, and reduced consequences.…So it would be logical that if you insert play…into your brainstorming session,…you can expect more and better ideas to emerge,…and you would be right.…

Play's strongest characteristic to effective ideation…is the reduction of consequence.…When you're playing a game,…the worst that can happen is you lose the game.…No one gets demoted or loses their job.…Because the worst that can happen is losing the game,…we're far more willing to risk during play,…something we covet during brainstorming.…You should want your stormers to risk embarrassment…and explore crazy directions,…