Random Words

How to generate original creative ideas with random word stimulation

 

By Milo Bono

Random word stimulation is a powerful technique that provides a practical method of accessing your subconscious mind and utilize the wealth of information it contains to generate fresh new original ideas. Regular practice causes the brain to expand and to accommodate a free-form style of thinking.The benefits of improving your thinking skills come from the practice of generating new ideas about things that matter to you. Using this simple technique, you can find new ways to solve personal or business problems, create new inventions, improve existing products and services, explore your own feelings and your relationships with others, and discover new ways of thinking about absolutely anything that interests you.

How to use it

 


Step 1: Formulate a specific problem statement

Write down exactly what it is the problem. You can work with any type of subject, there are no limitations. Be specific in your description, in as few words as possible.You can state your problem in the following forms:

1. Solve a Problem - State the problem to solve. A clear perception of the problem is the first step toward discovering an optimal solution.
2. Generate Ideas - State what the new ideas are about. A new invention of some kind, improvement of an existing product or service, gaining a deeper insight into a subject.
3. Ask a Question - It’s amazing how answers can present themselves with the help of some random stimulation - answers that come from the same mind that asked the question!

Step 2: Gather random stimuli

Close your eyes. Open the dictionary to any page and place your finger on the page. Open your eyes and write down whatever word is closest to your finger. It's very important to use that particular word whether you like the word or not. This technique works best when there is no obvious relationship between the word and your subject. Don't choose the word - let the word choose you.Of course it's a good idea to read the definition so you understand the full meaning of the word. Repeat this procedure to select five or six random words from different pages in the dictionary.

Step 3: Create associations between random words, your challenge

Your objective is to create associations that connect the meaning of each random word to your subject in some way. Each new association represents the seed of a new idea. Catch the moment when you think “This Does Not Make Sense” and turn it into a question of “How Could This Make Sense?” It does not matter if your associations make sense logically or not at this point. Find any way to connect the words to your subject. Focus on creating as many new ideas as possible. Do not stop to justify your new ideas. Have faith in the fact that your subconscious mind brought these thoughts to light for a reason, even though the reason may not be readily apparent.

 

 

Step 4: Increase your associations

It was Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) that formulated the three laws of association. Apply these laws in as many ways as you can to create your associations.


They are:
1. Contiguity
2. Similarity:
3. Contrast:

Take some time to consider each word individually and in combination. Be sure to write down everything that comes into your mind.

 

Step 5: Make more connections

Congratulations! You have just expanded your perceptions of your subject far beyond ways you would not have otherwise considered.Discovering new ways to look at your subject will start to generate new ideas automatically. Just remember that generating new ideas is about quantity rather than quality. 

The key characteristics of this technique are the following:

 

Quick

X

 

 

 

 

 Long

 

Logical

 

 

 

 

X

 Psychological

 

Individual

 

 

 

X

 

 Group

 

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