When you want to come up with unique ideas, one way to achieve this is to take some time to actively brainstorm. Brainstorming simply means that you are basically going to dump the ideas in your brain into some kind of record, either on paper or electronically.

There are different brainstorming methods that work for different people. What works for you will depend on your own personality, so it’s smart to try more than one method.

What would I do _____?

Ask yourself what other people would do, specifically someone who is well trained in the area. For example, if you’re trying to figure out how to cook mushrooms correctly, who would you ask? Probably Julia Child or Martha Stewart, or maybe you have a favorite chef. Try to get inside their head to figure out what they would do.

Use a mind map

You can use a large sheet of paper taped to the wall or an easel to create your mind map. Start in the middle with the main topic and work your way up, writing down whatever comes to mind as you go.

set a timer

One way to generate lots of ideas quickly is to set a timer. If you have other people working with you, ask everyone to write down their ideas as fast as they can (quietly so everyone can do it together). Set a timer for five minutes and yell “go” and see what happens. When there are time constraints, you can often force your mind to work harder to think of something.

try the music

Music should be instrumental only and not distract thought. Put that music on when you want people to be more creative. Many people dress up listening to classical music.

ask a group

There are many benefits to having a group brainstorm with you. The more people, the more ideas. However, sometimes it can be difficult to contain too many, so stick to a smaller group of less than ten to ensure it works best.

Learning to separate yourself from thoughts that interfere with your ability to generate ideas will also help. Some people like to meditate for a few minutes before starting a timed brainstorming session. Remember, brainstorming is designed to get it all out and record it so you can review it later. It doesn’t have to be correct. Just put it down.