Sales Octane #63

                                                                            The Maverick Builder Rule of Ideas

In 2001 I went from having millions to owing millions (17 of them to be exact).  People would ask me how did I sleep?    I told them I slept like a baby.  They would say "you slept like a baby with that kind of debt?"  I told them I went home, had a glass of milk, went to bed and cried all night. 

The Maverick Builder Rule of Ideas is Success examines ALL Ideas!

And ideas lead the way to greater success both personally and financially.  So let's stimulate idea building whether in a team or individually. 

Start with no rules. 

Keep everything simple. 

Simple questions and simple solutions. 

Now sharpen your No.2 pencil as you will need speed.  The goal here is quantity.  You will need to push yourself.  Simply push yourself so hard that you will not let your inner business critic have a second to get a word in.  You need to write your ideas fast and furious before that voice grabs you hand to rethink about this "nutty idea" idea.

So right now, pick a problem or opportunity for which you need ideas.  A problem that needs a solution. Write down at least 30 ideas in 10 minutes.

Remember no perceived right and wrong answers.  Keep it simple, like a child.  Write like a child.  Big ideas and Big letters. 

Big ideas come from really pushing yourself.  Don't think about whether the ideas are good or bad, right or wrong, crazy or sane. Just get them down on the page.  Write all ideas down and in fact, intentionally trying to come with some bad, wrong, or crazy ideas.

It may feel uncomfortable at first, but use this exercise to build momentum.  I promise you that when you finish this first exercise, you will not look at idea creating the same ever again.

Put this list away in your draw for a day.  If something else comes to mind later, you are allowed to add to the list.

Tomorrow pull out the list and look over with your critical attitude.  Read each idea out loud.  Laugh out loud.  Make notes on the list.  Words breed words.  Ideas breed ideas.

Keep your trash can near for most, but you will have created a pathway to breakthroughs that you would not have found if you kept brainstorming the same way. 

If you want to take this one step farther, go to an elementary school playground and sit on the swing set (check the weight limit).  Swing for 5 minutes before you start the exercise.  Play the part.  Get into your own head. 

This childish technique has birthed breakthroughs, business strategies, and supercharged many a sales team.

Maverick Rules!