How to Have Brilliant IdeasHow do the people have brilliant ideas? The fact is anyone can. Your

brain is the most complex object in the universe. Every second, more than ten billion neurons send electrochemical signals round your head at speeds of up to 400 kilometres an hour.

So what can we do to help coax out spectacular ideas? Here are their professional tools for brilliant thinking from some innovative and successful inventors :

1. ExerciseEileen Mulligan, a personal succes coach, recommends that her clients take regular excercise, “When you exercise, the conscious brain can go into a relaxed state, almost like meditation,” she says. “In this frame of mind the more creative half of the brain can start working.”

2. Keep a pen and paper by the bed“Imaginative solutions often hit when somebody is either asleep or half asleep as that is when the subconscious can carry onworking,” says Susan Greenfield, proffesor of pharmacology at Oxford University. The brilliant idea can woken up in the night is like a dream, so you keep a pen and paper handy and write down your ideas straight away.

3. Bounce ideas aroundConstructive criticism is invaluable and just talking your concept through with someone else can help you to see both its strengths and its weaknesses.

4. Change your environment“ A change in environment make you more alive to your surroundings,” explains Professor Greenfield. “In this receptive state your brain can be more alert to new ideas too.”

5. Let your mind wanderWhat if socks could be joined together as a pair and washed? If they came with free

small plastic fasteners they could stay together from the moment they were taken off till the moment they were put back on. Iris received the silver award for her idea at the 1997 International Inventors Fair and made the top ten at the British Female Inventor of the Year awards this year. Snappy Sox will be on the market this summer.

“Clouds are unique and abstract and so are without associations,”notes Professor Greenfield.”This frees the brain from rigid lines of thought, allowing it to make unusual connections.”

6. Forget about itThe brain doesn’t just work nine to five, it works all the time. Says cognitive scientist Professor Steven Pinker, One theory is that if we put a problem aside it actually incubates in the unconscious. Then without warning something triggers off an idea and afully formed solution presents itself.”

7. Believe you canIn 1997 Deborah Withington’s idea won the Prince of Wales award for innovation

and is used today in many forms of live-saving equipment. The latest is the Directional Fire Alarm, which can guide people towards doorways in smoke-filled buildings.

Many of us are let down by an everyday object and think, I know what’s wrong with this design, but we take it no further. In fact, having the idea is just the start. “The lesson I’ve learnt,” says Deborah, “is believe in yourself and stay commited, no matter what others say.”

Indra Radyasta131040000709 ( 2E/ 15 )

©Reader’s Digest July 2000