Listen to the words. Let the pencil lead. Your brain will follow.

Staring at a blank screen can be intimidating. The curser is flashing as if its saying “Well? Are you going to make a move or not?” What about a blank piece of paper?

To me, that is a whole different ball game! Here’s our tip for triggering more creative thinking.

If you have ever played Pictionary and remember the game, “Win, Lose or Draw”, you will recall the game involves you having to put pen or pencil on paper to sketch out something, anything. The objective is for your teammates to guess what you are drawing. Time was of the essence. Just draw something to get things started.

I like large pieces of paper. The larger the better. In fact, I have this giant sketch pad. I have it with me all the time by my desk. And whenever our team gets together to discuss an idea, a process, a look or concept – this pad comes out.

I open to a blank page, have my pencil to the paper and then, I start the discussion with the team. You will notice, I am not drawing yet. I am talking. I am listening. I hear the debates, the connections, the seedlings of an idea. At a certain moment, the pencil will begin to move – almost a life of its own. Not because I am possessed or that a medium is guiding me. No. Its because the spoken ideas floating around is beginning to make a connection of me – like connecting the dots (another favorite game of mine).

Let the spoken words connect into an idea. Having your pencil to paper – standing by and ready to move is the best tip I can give to you. Let the words get process in your brain. Allow for the connections to happen and then, because you are ready on this blank piece of paper, your brain will do the rest.

Don’t be afraid. Try it. Even the slightest drawing, squiggly line will trigger something else. And before you know it, something emerges. That’s called an idea! Now breath life into it. Believe it. Trust it.

You will be amazed that with practice, you too will love blank paper as much as we do!

#BetterLeadsToBreakthroughs