This is the first in a series of creative thinking techniques — simple ways you can spark new insights, ideas, and ahas. The techniques are excerpted from my award-winning book, Awake at the Wheel.
Leonardo DaVinci got his idea for the airplane by watching birds in flight.
The creators of Kung Fu developed many of their techniques by watching animals fight.
The pharmaceutical industry develops many of its “miracle cures” by studying the natural healing properties of herbs and plants.
Bottom line, nature is a great source of breakthrough ideas.
The secret for meeting your biggest challenge, in fact, may have already been worked out thousands of years ago by a cockroach.
THE TECHNIQUE
1. Look to nature for clues about your challenge.
2. Everywhere you walk today, notice how nature “gets things done.” (i.e. beehives, ants, sunflowers, etc.)
3. Make a connection between the natural world and a still unresolved challenge of yours. (i.e. “What can I learn about my challenge from an ant colony?”)
4. Jot down your ideas.
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Mitch Ditkoff is the Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions and the author of “Awake at the Wheel”, as well as the very popular Heart of Innovation blog.
Mitch inspires me to keep all my senses opened to have a most successful life.