{"id":5363,"date":"2011-10-31T16:32:13","date_gmt":"2011-10-31T20:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ccpa.scottbuckingham.ca\/blog\/?p=1390"},"modified":"2015-07-03T16:11:57","modified_gmt":"2015-07-03T20:11:57","slug":"the-art-of-brainstorming-an-essential-life-skill-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/fr\/the-art-of-brainstorming-an-essential-life-skill-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Brainstorming \u2013 An Essential Life Skill"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, one of these things is not like the others\u2026\u2026.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of Mantas Ruzveltas\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

It is staggering to think about ALL of the decisions we make over the course of our lives. Sometimes a decision can be life-altering such choosing a partner, a career, a neighbourhood in which to live, and so on. At other times, the decisions we make are intended to help make life go more smoothly on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

How we make decisions is an important consideration, ask yourself these questions about your decision-making process:<\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I invite others to provide feedback?\u00a0 Am I open to feedback?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Do I ask myself questions about the decision I am making?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Do I consider if the decision I am leaning towards will be a healthy decision over the long-term?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I think far too long about my options?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Do I focus only on one possibility?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I consider the outcome(s) of my decision?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I reflect on pros, cons, and all the possibilities in-between?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I set a timeframe for when I would like to have the decision made?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I make decisions impulsively without considering potential outcomes?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I have an effective, helpful way to make decisions?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do I have a clear picture of my decision-making history?<\/p>\n

Brainstorming \u2013 An Essential Life Skill<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When we brainstorm, we ask ourselves several questions, sort of like asking yourself the questions above (a mini-brainstorming exercise!). We try to consider alternatives, possibilities, and we attempt to reach outside our comfort zone. Brainstorming <\/em>is an active process. It can be done individually, in groups, aloud, on paper, and within a counselling session. Brainstorming <\/em>is purposeful in that the idea is to generate diverse perspectives about a given topic. Open-ended questions can be helpful, e.g., How might that impact\u2026?\u00a0 What resources do I have available to me now\u2026? When could I begin to takes a first step toward\u2026?<\/p>\n

At the same time, to brainstorm <\/em>is to also be intentional about not setting limits or boundaries early on in the process of brainstorming. Being open, creative, and flexible will help generate ideas. The challenge might be to not leap immediately to solutions and\/or the first idea that comes to mind. The Sky\u2019s the Limit<\/em> \u2013 well, sort of. Thinking as big as the sky within what is realistic is not a bad approach.<\/p>\n

I often equate brainstorming <\/em>with learning and discovery exercises such as mind mapping. Check out the following web site for mind mapping tools and resources: http:\/\/www.mindtools.com\/pages\/article\/newISS_01.htm<\/a> I also connect the art of brainstorming with journal writing, doodling, drawing, self-talk, conversations, and walking.\u00a0 These types of activities help stimulate right brain functions such as divergent thinking and creativity.<\/p>\n

So the next time you find yourself stuck trying to make a decision, consider the art of brainstorming.<\/p>\n

The views expressed are mine alone and do not reflect the views of the CCPA. Dr. Debbie Grove is a therapist working in Edmonton, Alberta. To learn more about her, visit her web site at www.learningtolive.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So, one of these things is not like the others\u2026\u2026. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Image courtesy of Mantas Ruzveltas\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net\u00a0 It is staggering to think about ALL of the decisions we make over the course of our lives. Sometimes a decision can be life-altering such choosing a partner, a career, a neighbourhood […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001016,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-findingtherightcounsellororpsychotherapist"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Art of Brainstorming \u2013 An Essential Life Skill - L'Association canadienne de counseling et de psychoth\u00e9rapie<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/the-art-of-brainstorming-an-essential-life-skill-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Art of Brainstorming \u2013 An Essential Life Skill - L'Association canadienne de counseling et de psychoth\u00e9rapie\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"So, one of these things is not like the others\u2026\u2026. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Image courtesy of Mantas Ruzveltas\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net\u00a0 It is staggering to think about ALL of the decisions we make over the course of our lives. 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