How to Use Lists for Creative Thinking

REVERSE YOUR BUCKET LIST TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS For many teams, the idea of innovation is too scary or too overwhelming but in this day when change is happening at warp speed, it's critical to be able to pivot when necessary. When that is the case for one of my clients, my Reverse Bucket List is a perfect way to get the same results from a different angle that everyone can help with and possibly even enjoy. (Crazy, right?) Most of us have some kind of Bucket List, either written down or stored in some corner of our minds. It is usually made up of places we want to go or things we'd like to do before we get to old or busy to do them. But what if we used the same system in reverse to solve our big problems? Or at least identify them so we know what needs to be worked on first? Interested? Give this a try: 1. Pick one of your goals for work. Better productivity, higher sales conversion, whatever. 2. Identify ALL of the elements getting in your way of you accomplishing your goal. Whatever they are - list all of them. Have some fun with this. 3. Group similar elements together. They don't have to be identical, just ones that seem like they might belong on the same shelf. 4. Now, label a couple of buckets that will hold the items separately. Maybe external factors, internal factors, emotional factors, beliefs, etc. 5. Rank these buckets as to how big a roadblock each bucket is to your achieving your goal. You just reverse-engineered your challenge into small, achievable steps and have a pretty good idea of which ones you need to work on first. One of the items in the bucket too big to solve on its own? Great! Rerun the process on that problem until the elements get small enough to conquer. Innovation comes in many flavors. If brainstorming is not your bag, then find a different method to reach a new solution. _____________________________________________________________ My creativity Keynotes and Innovation consulting are backed by 35 years of experience with Fortune 500 organizations and validated by over 30 awards. DM me about working with your teams or Keynoting your events.

You first idea is never your best. In fact, your first idea might be a trap that kills your creativity. Here's the science: When our brains land on a solution or idea, they naturally create a metaphorical 'box' around it, making it challenging to think beyond those confines. It's almost as if we’ve placed blinders on, keeping us from noticing potential alternatives that might be even better! This is where innovators stand out. 🌟 One technique to combat this? The Top 10 List. Instead of settling on the first idea, challenge yourself to brainstorm nine more. Push beyond the comfort of the initial idea, and see what other amazing ideas you can come up with. You might be surprised: ➡️ How much more expansive your thinking becomes. ➡️ The sheer quality of alternatives you can come up with. Remember, innovation is about not settling for good enough—it's about pushing boundaries, rethinking norms, and continually questioning the status quo. So, the next time you have a brilliant idea, ask yourself: "What are the other nine?" 💡 #growthmindset #innovation #designthinking

🌶️ Product Tip: Create a “Magic” list. + Dedicate a section in your strategy doc for ideas that seem impossible today. + Encourage all team members to contribute bold, unconventional ideas. + Don't worry about practicality - focus on potential impact. + Regularly review and discuss these ideas as a team. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: These "magic" features rarely materialize as imagined, but they're incredibly valuable. I’ve found that even the ideas that didn’t make it into production played a crucial role. They push the team’s thinking, inspire creativity, and often lead to unexpected innovations. The power isn't in implementing every idea, but in cultivating a mindset of limitless possibility. As your product evolves, so will these ideas. Old concepts might spark new projects, and some may eventually become groundbreaking features. Over time, you'll find that some "impossible" features become possible, while others inspire entirely new directions for your product. Recommend building your "Magic" list. What bold ideas would you add? #productmanagement #engineering #technology