Some trends in well-read blogs that I came across…

Ok, I know what you are thinking… this blog is supposed to eliminate your need to think for yourself, right? Hehe, yeah… right. I do want to provide you with good step-by-step strategies, but I cannot stress enough the benefit of your own creativity.

And don’t tell me that you are more of a “math” person, because if you are in the ministry world… I’d hope that you have some sort of passion. Not that algebra isn’t a passionate subject… but you get the idea. 

What does passion have to do with creativity? … EVERYTHING! I already know that most nonprofit leaders are entrepreneurs. But I also know that fire fuels new ideas. And guess what? New ideas fuel passion! Just thinking about the bigger picture can get you excited, motivated, and moving. You don’t have to have a specific purpose or reason for brainstorming… but it will keep you and your team from getting stuck in apathy. 

Here are some ideas to get you started on brainstorming: 

1. Plan regular brainstorming sessions with your staff. Your staff is more valuable than you may know!
2. Start by discussing problems or issues, then go into solutions. 
3. Throw out some really ridiculous, radical ideas that nobody would have thought of. This will help people be comfortable saying whatever is on their mind.
4. Talk about the people your organization helps. Tell stories and romanticize it. 
5. Create a mind map or some sort of flow chart (I am sure everyone has used these at least once in their lifetime). 

My partner and I have brainstorming sessions every day. We don’t always schedule them, and they aren’t always in a meeting… sometimes they are in the break room passing by. “Hey, Aaron… I have this idea…” Even if we don’t have time to use half of the ideas we come up with… at least they keep us energized! (And trust me, they sure help beat the 3:00 PM slumps). 

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