You're listening to an iHeart Podcast. Hey, listeners. I am all about simple beauty routines. That's why I love Merit. Their products make looking put together effortless. For example, there's Flush Balm, which is a sheer, buildable cream blush that blends in seamlessly for a healthy, natural glow. And let's not forget The Minimalist, which is a two-in-one foundation and concealer that's perfect for those days when you need quick, natural coverage.
So if you're looking to streamline your beauty routine too, head to MeritBeauty.com. You'll get their signature makeup bag free with your first order. Simplify your routine and feel beautiful with Merit. Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio. Good morning, this is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's tip is that if you want to get as many good ideas as possible...
Allow time for everyone to generate ideas solo before you share your ideas with each other. In a recent interview with former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Adam Grant, a Wharton School professor, described this particular idea generation tactic as deciding to "brainwrite" before you "brainstorm." Lots of times when groups want to get new ideas, you get everyone in a room and then say, "Let's put everything up on the board."
And that can work. But there are lots of group dynamics that can come into play that can limit what people come up with. So Grant explained, when you are in a group situation generating ideas, one way to avoid some of these downfalls is to dedicate time for everyone to think and make notes silently and individually before brainstorming as a group.
With individual think time first, everyone, and especially the introverts among you, will have ample opportunity to come up with ideas and will be ready to contribute when you all come back together. I think this is a good suggestion. Building in time for people to think individually helps ensure that everyone's voice is heard. But just as important, allowing individual think time means you get more ideas to start from.
In a shouted-out brainstorming session, you often wind up with everybody simply responding to the first idea that someone suggests. And let's be clear, this is probably going to be an idea from someone senior and vocal. But if everyone has generated solo ideas first, you can put them all out there and then see what other ideas get sparked without priming the pump for one individual idea.
Providing time for brain writing could be valuable in work meetings, but it seems like it might be relevant in other contexts too. For instance, if you are talking with your older kids about their options for summer day camps or sleepaway camps and childcare, it could be helpful to introduce the topic and then allow thinking time for them, you, your partner, and anybody else who's involved in the decision in order to identify possibilities before you discuss them.
Likewise, if you and your spouse are figuring out your annual budget, instead of immediately working collaboratively, it could be helpful for each of you to look at your budget and actual tallies from the previous year. Then you can develop ideas about the coming year's budget independently before you discuss live. Vacations for the year, or even planning any specific vacation, could benefit from a similar approach.
So could any persistent problems you're trying to solve, like how to manage morning drop-off after a schedule change, when to put your house on the market if you don't want to have two mortgages for long, but also don't want to be living in a house that's for sale, where to gather for Thanksgiving now that your parents are no longer hosting, and so forth. Anytime you want to generate ideas with a group, building in time for people to generate ideas solo first can help ensure that everyone's ideas are heard.
you might also get the broadest and most varied ideas to choose from. And that can help make your ultimate choice much wiser. In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening. And here's to making the most of our time. Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast. If you've got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at laura at lauravandercam.com. Before Breakfast is a production of iHeartMedia.
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And let's not forget The Minimalist, which is a two-in-one foundation and concealer that's perfect for those days when you need quick, natural coverage. So if you're looking to streamline your beauty routine too, head to MeritBeauty.com. You'll get their signature makeup bag free with your first order. Simplify your routine and feel beautiful with Merit.