next »

[Stephen Smith]

From the blog ( http://blog.worklifecreativity.net/2009/03/new-directions/ )

Sometimes when I am "stuck" in my thinking I use a little trick for breaking out of the mode that I am in, to look for a solution in a new way.

For example, when I was struggling with how to manage my "43-folder" Tickler File while we were traveling for 4 months I took this sentence (a quote from Louis Kahn), "Architecture is the thoughtful making of space." and changed it to this:
Tracking future-dated tasks is the thoughtful making of _______"

Then I brainstormed to find the answer:

envelopes?
calendar entries?
digital reminders?
waiting-for lists?
...and so on.

After I had a good long list of options I could start considering how each would work, and how some of them might work together.
(In the end I decided on three folders/piles labeled "Today, Tomorrow, and Later")

Any ideas on how you might use something like this?

[Brad Blackman]

That's one way to go about it, but once you understand that architecture is about shaping and defining space in such a way that is usable for whatever purpose, it becomes a lot easier to do. I understand this as a graphic designer. That statement about architecture is a bit meta; I think what you are really going after is something to the effect of "tracking future-dated tasks is the thoughtful making of time." You're getting into a very meta(physical) area here. Fun stuff to think about.

[Stephen Smith]

Sometimes I get away from myself! If only I could have a staff of assistants and handlers to corral all of the ideas and keep me on track...

[fumcsecty]

When I want to look at problems and solutions in a new way, I bounce the situation off of co-workers.  One in particular is someone I can freely discuss issues with, and get an honest, thoughtful reply.  Such brainstorming allows my creativity to get flowing again.