Blog 1B

Check This Out:   http://changethis.com/   

On this website, Mitch Ditkoff’s decsrbes 14 ways to get a breakthrough idea. The 14 different ideas that are presented are follow your fascination, immerse, tolerate ambiguity, make new connections, fantasize, define the right challenge, listen to your subconscious, take a break, notice and challenge existing patterns and trends, hang out with diverse groups of people, brainstorm, look for happy accidents, use creative thinking techniques, and suspend logic. These 14 ideas lay out the steps to finding a breakthrough idea, and setting it free. Ditkoff states that people are the ultimate spark behind innovation, and people are sparked by inspired and breakthrough ideas. Ditkoff also states that there are two different schools of thoughts when it comes to the origin of an idea. One school ascribes the origin of ideas to inspired individuals who, through a series of purposeful mental processes, conjure up the new and different cerebral shamen. The second school ascribes the appearance of ideas to a transcendent force. One approach follow the idea “I think therefor I am”, while the second follows “I am, therefore I think.”  Both of these approaches are valid and effective, and lead to Ditkoff describing the 14 steps to a breakthrough idea. The three steps that I am going to look at are follow your fascination, fantasize, and hang out with diverse groups of people.

The idea of fascination is actually a pretty basic and simple concept. It simply to means, that if you find yourself enchanted by an idea, chances are that there is a good idea somewhere in that. Feeling fascination for an idea usually means that we are being called to the idea, and that it is worth our attention and time. I think that the suggestion of fascination is a very good way to lead to the start of a new breakthrough idea. I would use this in my creative life in a couple of different ways. I would think about all of the different topics, ideas, and things that I am fascinated by, and then I would simply choose that one that inspires me the most, and try to delve deeper into a breakthrough idea that is inside that fascination. The prompt at the end of this suggestion states “What new idea is fascinating you? What new possibility has captured your attention? In what ways can you honor this inspiration today?” A new idea that is fascinating to me is the popularity of children’s programs causing a huge splash in TV ratings. This idea has captured my attention because of my recent interest in shows on Nickelodeon. I have kind of become obsessed with shows like iCarly, Victorious, and Big Time Rush. I can honor this inspiration today by watching the shows, and learn more about them.

The suggestion of fantasize is usually what leads to the beginning of many breakthrough ideas. Humans have the ability to fantasize about whatever they want to. They can create and come up with unique stories and ideas in their own minds, even if they aren’t possible or real. Humans have this rare ability, and we can use it to up with brand new breakthrough ideas. Dreaming can help to lead to a small something that can ultimately lead to incredible and inspiring idea. I truly believe that this is a good suggestion, and can lead to the creation of some very good ideas. I would use this in my creative life by taking all of the ridiculous and crazy stories that go through my head, and look at them for ideas that can lead to something greater. The prompt for this suggestion states “Think of a current challenge of yours. What would a fantasy solution to this challenge look like? What clues does this fantasy solution give to you? A current challenge that I am dealing with is keeping in contact with my best friends from back home. A fantasy solution to this project would to bring us all together at one school. This fantasy solution gives me the idea to try an Skype with them more, because it is as close as I can come to be with them in person.

The final suggestion I chose to explore is to hang out with a diverse group of people. This suggestion is pretty self explanatory, but that doesn’t mean that it is easy to act out. People have a tendency to spend time with people that are similar to them. While you may get along great with people, constantly being around the same people as yourself isn’t very inspiring. However, spending time with people outside of your usual circle can help open you up to so many new experiences and ideas. That is why breaking the bonds of the familiar is the perfect way to help you find a breakthrough idea. I think that this a very good suggestion, and I would use it in my creative life by getting to know some new people that I would never normally talk to. The prompt for this suggestion is to make a list of ten people outside of your traditional “posse” who you can spend time with this month.” Those ten people would be Katie, Brianna, Emily, Tia, Beth, Mary, Angela, Robyn, Michelle, and Erica. Katie would probably be first because I am seeing her tomorrow.

One final prompt that I want to take at look at is at the end of suggestion 9 “Notice and challenge existing patterns and trends.” The prompt states “What trends in the marketplace most intrigues you? In what ways might these trends shift in the coming years - and how might your most inspired idea by in sync with this imagined shift?’ I think a trend that I am most inspired by right now is the expansion and use of social networking sites. I think that this trend could shift upward in the coming years because more types of social networking will be created, and more people will continued to get involved. My most inspired idea might be in sync with the imagined shift by thinking about what kind of social networking hasn’t been created yet, and if it will actually work.