Prime Time
What you will get: An introduction to the Priming technique
“Prime Time!”
We’ve all been there.
Another team problem meeting where we need to create some good ideas or solve a challenge.
Or perhaps you’re sat alone trying to come up with that one amazing idea that will change the world and your life.
Problem is….
We don’t have a creativity button we can just switch on and then the ideas just come flooding out.
And what’s worse…
The more we try to force ourselves to think of amazing new ideas, the harder it is to think of them.
That’s where Priming can help you.
You see…
Those truly amazing ideas don’t come from our rational brain – they come from the subconscious part of the brain (the limbic system).
And evidence from numerous neuroscience studies shows that Priming is a proven technique that helps your subconscious gear itself up for that WOW idea and be more creative.
So here’s how it works…
Before you start trying to generate the ideas, you need to “prime” yourself to be ready.
That means…
Deliberately focusing your mind on certain things before you start generating ideas.
So ask yourself…
What would a famous person do in this situation? Say a pop star or actor or politician or comedian?
Then think of a person who has already succeeded in a similar situation…
What did they do?
What didn’t they do?
How did they do it?
You can also prime yourself by reading that person’s books, watching them on You Tube or just observing them.
And don’t be afraid to be a little wacky.
So ask questions like…
What would Winnie-the-Pooh do in this situation?
If Madonna wrote a song that gave the solution to this challenge, what would the lyrics be?
If Bruce Willis was gonna bust his way out of this challenge, how would he do it?
How would a nurse/fireman/skater/ballet dancer/mountain explorer/ventriloquist approach this?
Studies consistently show that people who use priming before looking for solutions create more and better ideas than those who don’t.
So why not give it a try?
I’m off to figure out how Spiderman and Tigger would create a marketing plan.
How about you?
To your success.
Steve Neale
“Europe’s Leading Expert on Personal and Professional Growth”
Psychologist, Executive Coach, EI Practitioner, Award Winning Trainer, International Author, Psychodynamic Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness Instructor, International Speaker, Creator of the LPS, Creator of the Accredited Masters in High Performance Leadership
