Your Launchpad

Use DaVinci's technique to get unstuck!

Have you run into a brick wall on a problem or project you're working on? Would you like to tap into a technique used by one of the "hottest" geniuses in the news today? Then this one is for you!

Over at Achieve-IT, productivity blogger blogger Brad Isaac’s gives some great tips for using what he calls "streamwriting", a technique used by Leonardo DaVinci himself in his quest for discovery. Brad says:

Take out your journal, notebook or a legal pad and write a subject or problem you want to solve at the top of a page. Word your problem using specific language and make the wanted outcome sound fun, exciting or pleasant. For instance, a question like "How can I earn an extra $1000 this month and enjoy the process?" would be better than "Make a $1000."

Then, beneath your question start writing everything that pops into your head. Write related and unrelated thoughts that come to your mind. Keep your pen on paper and do not stop writing to think or get back on track. Your brain knows the problem, so you don't need to consciously think about it. You need your conscious out of the way.

When you run out of ideas, keep writing anyway. Write "I am stuck" or "I can't think of anything to write." Don't worry your conscious will likely get bored and let the ideas flow. Or you will change the subject to your goal or another side road that leads to the breakthrough. Just relax and keep writing.

I've used this method myself in the past, but must say I'd forgotten about it of late. Tonight I will have to give it another go and see what kind of results I can get. How about you? Feeling stuck? Try this blockbuster yourself!

posted by B.G. Roberts @ 12:59 PM