Faith and Business 101: Brainstorming for Business – part 2

Theme verse for the next few weeks:

Call to me and I will answer you. I will tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own. Jeremiah 33:3

What is brainstorming?

Dictionary.com defines brainstorming as: “a conference technique of solving specific problems, amassing information, stimulating creative thinking, developing new ideas, etc., by unrestrained and spontaneous participation in discussion.”

Wikipedia defines it as “a group creativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution of a problem.”

Brainstorming in a group is definitely more energizing, but you can do this alone, too. I do this for business myself and I highly recommend it for your business as well!

How do I get started?

When I need some creative ideas for my business, quiet time to think and pray is essential. I usually ask my husband if he’s OK with me taking part of a Saturday and finding a quiet place to go off by myself.

I take my bible, my notebook, and a pen. That’s it. When I have my calendar or my laptop with me, brainstorming can easily turn into creating “to-do” lists. That is not what this is about!

1. Read some of your favorite scriptures. The psalms are very inspiring and full of the wonders of God’s creation. I feel more creative after reading them.
2. Ask God to give you ideas. In one of my favorite books “An Hour on Sunday, “ Nancy Beach says “Every one of us possesses the God-given potential to become more creative.”
3. Be ready to listen.

When I’m brainstorming on my own, I get out my notebook and I write my topics or “problems” on the top of a blank page. Then, for the next few minutes, I’ll write down everything that comes to mind about this topic. Set a time limit if you need to (5-15 minutes is ideal). Write down anything that pops into your head. Draw pictures if that helps. “Any idea, no matter how wacky, might be just the ticket that leads someone else to the next great idea,” says Beach. Write down everything you’re thinking!

After you’ve reached your time limit, stop and look back through everything you’ve written. Circle the ideas that stand out. Force yourself to go to the next level. You could even write that circled idea onto a new blank sheet and start all over.

Now listen. Is God giving you an idea? Can you use it to improve your business?

Once you have an idea, then its finally time to write down some action steps.

We’ll talk about that next week.

In the meantime, remember that we all have the same access to the Creator of All!

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

Until next time,

MariLee Parrish

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