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Why you should always prep before brainstorming
Nov 15, 2024
Alright, let’s be real: brainstorming is one of those things that sounds super exciting right out of the gate. You gather your team, grab a whiteboard, and start tossing around ideas like confetti. Fun, right? But here’s the thing—if you dive in without prep, you’re setting yourself up for the brainstorming equivalent of trying to assemble a puzzle with half the pieces missing. And let’s face it, no one enjoys that kind of frustration.
The magic of brainstorming doesn’t happen by accident. It’s all about laying the groundwork. Let me walk you through why prep is the secret sauce for turning a good brainstorming session into a great one.
Understand the challenges 🌄
It’s good to stat throwing ideas like at an idea fireworks show, but before using all your energy into that, pause a bit and ask yourself what’s the actual challenge you’re trying to solve? Think of your problem as a mountain you’re gearing up to climb. You wouldn’t just sprint up there without a map, some snacks, and a weather check, would you? (Please say no.)
Prepping means identifying the specific hurdles that need tackling. When you know what you’re up against, you can focus your energy where it counts.
For example, let’s say a company wants to improve employee retention. Instead of just jumping in with “cool” ideas, they take the time to collect data—surveys, exit interviews, and feedback. They find the biggest pain points are burnout and lack of career growth. Armed with this clarity, their brainstorming session becomes laser-focused on actionable solutions like training programs and flexible work schedules. See the difference?
Gather insights 🧩
Here’s the deal: your ideas are only as good as the insights backing them up. Insights are like those missing puzzle pieces—they bring the big picture into focus. The more you have, the sharper your ideas will be.
Take a marketing team, for instance. Before brainstorming their next big product launch campaign, they dig into the data: competitor analysis, customer personas, and what worked (or flopped) in past campaigns. This prep gives them a solid foundation for creativity. Instead of shooting in the dark, they’re generating ideas that hit the bullseye with their target audience. 🎯
Set clear goals 🎯
Now, let’s talk goals. Imagine planning a road trip with no destination in mind. Sure, it might sound adventurous, but you’ll probably end up driving in circles and wasting gas. The same thing happens in brainstorming sessions without clear goals.
Set a purpose. Define what success looks like. For example, a nonprofit might kick off their session with a clear target: “Let’s generate five actionable ideas to raise $50,000 in donations.” That clarity keeps everyone focused and prevents the discussion from wandering off into random territory (you know, like that time someone started talking about pizza toppings mid-meeting).
Why prep is worth it ✨
When you prep for brainstorming, you’re not just saving time—you’re setting yourself up to create something meaningful. You’re building a puzzle where all the pieces connect beautifully, instead of scrambling to make sense of a messy pile. And trust me, the satisfaction of seeing it all come together is chef’s kiss 👌.
So, next time you’re about to dive into a brainstorming session, take a minute to prep. Understand the challenge. Gather insights. Set clear goals. Your ideas will be sharper, your team will stay focused, and you’ll walk away feeling like a creative powerhouse.
Go on, get out there, and brainstorm like a pro. Just don’t forget to prep first—future you will thank you. 🙌
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