Cup of Inspiration

Today, September 10^th, is Swap Ideas Day. Today we recognize the importance of including others when we brainstorm. Remember the old saying “two heads are better than one.”

Every great invention in history came from someone thinking “What if we tried this?” or “Can I make this process better if I do x instead of y?” Sometimes it was a deliberate process. Sometimes it was by chance or accident. The one thing most, if not all, of these inventions in history have in common is they were not born solely by one person’s thoughts and experiences. They were not born out of a vacuum.

Some inventors may have seen someone they cared about struggle, and they wished to make their life easier. Others may have hated struggling with work, and watched coworkers with the same struggles, when crafting a better process, or a computer program. Some inventions and new processes have come directly from a brainstorming session involving a roomful of people. Others have come from friends talking, or spouses discussing the struggles of their day.

Talking things out not only helps us feel better as we vent. We can also receive what others say. Even if someone else’s advice isn’t completely helpful, often there will be something there that will help steer you toward, or away from, a particular direction.

You also never know when your input to a conversation may help lead someone else to making that next big breakthrough. Your piece of the conversation can help put someone’s mind right on course to that next big idea.

Today, plan a brainstorming session on how to improve a process with some coworkers and make sure everyone feels welcome to share their input. Get your family together and discuss what everyone would like to do for the holiday season at the end of the year, getting everyone’s opinions and thoughts on the matter.

Don’t try to produce ideas in a vacuum. Share your thoughts and be willing to listen to others. The exchange of ideas is vital for making progress.