TV Brainstorming – How To Do It
Posted on June 11, 2009 - Filed Under Brainstorming Techniques
A couple of days ago, I posted an article that pointed out that you can find a hell of a lot more time to do productive things if you forgo some passive television watching. For the past week, I’ve been thinking about this.
On one hand, it’s easy to give up television right now. There are no good shows on. The NHL and NBA playoffs are almost over. What is there left to watch? Now is the perfect opportunity to kick the habit and do something more productive with your time.
On the other hand, I like the relaxed escape and imaginary environment that television creates. I can see the benefits in letting an alternate universe wash over you. It got me thinking – why not do both? Escape to TV-land, but remain productive.
And that’s how television brainstorming was born.
All you need is a problem, a notepad and a television. Here’s how to do it. As you are watching your program, pause during each of the commercial breaks to ask one of these three questions:
1. How would your favourite character on the show solve your problem?
2. How would your issue be different in their TV universe?
3. How would the bad guy on the show solve your problem?
By placing your problem in the universe that your television program has created, you bend your mind and look at the problems differently. You use your imagination to see potential solutions. You suspend the “rules” of your normal universe to take on those from an imaginary one. All of these things can lead to solutions in the real world.
The best thing about this technique is that it creates a time constraint. If you don’t think of anything during one commercial break, you’re back to your program. And in 5 minutes, you get another shot at brainstorming.
So, give it a shot. Let me know what you think.
- Christian
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