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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Join Me for a Mental Massage

I define brainstorming as a "mental massage." Brainstorming requires you to read a topic, and then proceed to jot down ideas on paper. Grammar, spelling, sentence structure and order are unimportant when you brainstorm. In fact, I recommend that you throw all your worries out the window. Refuse any negative thoughts. No Fear! No Fear!

Allow yourself to freely write anything --I repeat-- anything that is on your mind at that moment. Then follow the trail of bread crumbs and see where it leads you. If it leads you no where, then rip, rip and rip or burn that undesirable piece of paper. But what if, just if, the words on white paper hold something special and enlightening, something that triggers something else in your mind? What if?


Try it. What five words come to mind "immediately" when you think of the word DESTINATION. Avoid phrases and sentences.

Write it down on a piece of paper quickly, quickly! Or type it in the comment section if you wish to share.

15 comments:

  1. trip, journey, adventure, fun, life
    Those were the first five. About a hundred more after that.
    That was fun!
    Have a great day.
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  2. vacation
    rest
    relaxation
    renewal
    soothing

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hawaii, beach, ocean, snorkeling, luau

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  4. Caribbean, beach, sun, sand, hot!!!

    These words may have something to do with all the snow and the bitter cold we've had this winter... :0). Not really though...I love a warm destination, always have!!

    Cheers

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  5. Departure, Journey, Arrival, Goal & End.

    That was fun, and they didn't first come to me in that order.

    ReplyDelete
  6. cruise, vacation, faraway, plan, luxury

    I must also add to your comments on brainstorming that I frequently taught brainstorming techniques in my Communication classes--particularly in Group Communication. I would separate the class into groups of about five members and each group would brainstorm ideas. In addition to the qualities of good brainstorming you list, I would add--quantity. That is, come up with as many ideas as possible without making judgments.

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  7. Very good point Patricia! I have my students practice different brainstorming techniques and there is one specific topic that usually gets them. I ask them to list at least 30 words on the topic "purple." The catch is they have to do it in 60 seconds. A few figure it out and manage to meet my requirement, but the majority give me that "you must be crazy; there is nothing purple in the world" look. We then spend time discussing how we look at the world: tunnel vision versus an open mind.

    I am glad you all enjoyed this exercise.

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  8. Wait until I get there!

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  9. unknown
    Malaysia
    vacation
    target
    away

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  10. love
    california
    sun
    freedom
    peace

    I love the brainstorming!! And I constantly write and then rip and burn, it helps me to rant and rave even if I'm the only one who ever reads it.

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  11. Fiji, travel, airports, finally, beautiful. I love doing activities like this. Thank you.

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  12. Well, no tunnel vision here!!!!!!
    Sounds like you all need or want a vacation! Yep! Me too!!!! I am thinking of

    summer
    mountains
    lake
    fishing
    home

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  13. Blank
    Nothing
    Emptiness
    Ahhhh...
    Frustration!

    After five attempts, that's what I got, each and every five times. :(

    That's why I waited until everyone had gone over to your new post to submit a comment on my effort. *blush*

    Hey, perhaps I could still come out with a 500 words essay with these words. Hmmm ...

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  14. Kohler...that's our slogan here!
    Journey
    Adventure
    Fun
    Goal

    What a fun activity! I think this reflects our wonderful travels (except for the first one which would be a good destination for anyone),

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  15. life, goal, end, journey, path

    Seems like I'm in a phase where everything relates to my personal life journey... not a single thing about a vacation... which would be lovely. This was fun - thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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