Geez, Don’t be a Rigid Ralphy

Overcoming Roadblocks to Great Ideas

As the Ideation Specialist at M3, I am entitled to say that ideation can most certainly be taught. Sometimes, I like people to think it was a gift I was born with, but that’s simply not true. Everyone has the ability to train his or her mind to think creatively and imaginatively — I just had a little extra training.

Though I’m a firm believer that everyone holds a key to his or her own creative genius, there are days the ideas just. don’t. come. And the harder you try to think of a good idea, the worse they get.

So, to help a fellow ideator in need, I’ve put together a few classic personas to avoid when attempting to brainstorm your next big creative idea, and a list of fixes if one should reveal itself.

Whatever you do, don’t be a …

Stagnate Sally:

Sallys hold back; they are fearful of risks and, more importantly, fearful failure (gasp!).

Fix: Let go of the same ol’ same ol’, go against the grain and whatever you do, don’t be afraid to sound silly. Unthink what “creative” means and redefine it for yourself.

Serious Sam:

Sams are into serious, rational problem solving, they stay far inside the lines because that’s what’s “right.”

Fix: Get out some toys and play! Remember what it was like to be a kid and the freedom childhood imagination brought — go there, you’ll find the answer.

Blind Betty:

Bettys have trouble recognizing their own strengths and the creative resources around them.

Fix: Open your eyes to the resources around you that will showcase your creative abilities to the world. Find what you’re good at and let your mind drift … innovate!

Rigid Ralphy:

Ralphys are over-certain at times and stuck in their ways of thinking; they express persistent behavior and react on assumptions.

Fix: Create a list of all the ideas that come to your mind and write them down. Then, make yourself think of 20 more, 50 more, 100 more! No one likes a Rigid Ralphy.

Boring Betsy:

Betsys suppress their imaginations and lead impoverished fantasy lives; they overvalue the so-called “objectives.”

Fix: Allow yourself to pretend; start more sentences with “What if … ” and finish them with your wildest imaginings. The crazier the better. (Oh, and wear neon colored clothing — nothing boring about that!)

Reluctant Ryan:

Ryans try to solve problems too quickly, they are hesitant to let things incubate, simmer … soak.

Fix: Plant the start of an idea in your mind and then move on to other things. The best ideas always strike when you least expect it (lather, rise, repeat helps, too).

Numb Nelly:

Nellys suffer from sensory dullness (don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds); they don’t explore their primary senses in ways that channel creativity.

Fix: Think beyond the surface; allow your body to take in the world around you for inspiration. (Or as a Traditional Tom might say, “stop to smell the flowers.” But really smell them.)

Coy Carl:

Carls are nervous about letting their ideas be heard; they don’t like to exert influence and they don’t like being the center of attention.

Fix: Forget about what other people might think if you come up with an idea. Remember: in the face of a good idea, politics do not matter.

Even if one of these personas should rear its ugly head, the most important thing to do is never give up on yourself or your ideas. Ideation is not easy, but it is necessary. At the root of everything in this world lies an idea; it’s the purest of all elements in innovation. So stay away from the Stagnant Sallys and Serious Sams and let your mind wander (and don’t forget to call your mother).