Here’s another ideation exercise coming your way! I call this one the FRUIT ROOT TREE brainstorming method. It presents a fun and natural (har har!) way to take some drilled-down base characteristics of your issue, challenge, or problem and combines them into an idea-filled meal of possibilities.
Let’s dive right on in and see what kind of meals we can make, shall we?!
My Purpose / Self-Discovery Example
I wanted to delve further into the “Hey, what do I really want to do? / Purpose / Interests” topic and see what kind of goodies I could come up with.
I picked “my true interests (or passions)” for my center box. I drilled through to pick these fruits: (1) Ah-ha’s, (2) Brainstorming, and (3) Books. I also dug down deep and picked these roots: (1) Enhancing and (2) Discovery. A screen shot of my example is the opening image for this article.
This led me to the following idea combination meals:
- Discovering ah-ha’s through brainstorming
- Enhancing discovery through books
- Writing books about ah-ha’s discovery
- Discovery (of self) by enhancing “ah-ha” ideas
- Enhancing brainstorming techniques with books
- Brainstorming ways to enhance books
- Sharing ah-ha’s on self-discovery
- Studying ad-ha’s for enhancing brainstorming methods
Some VERY interesting things to run with here… after letting them digest a bit more – you know, really chew them over – marinate a bit… I could go on like this all day, but I can see your eyes rolling already. :)
Looking to run through this for your own issues and challenges? Here go the steps you’ll need to do.
Fruit Root Tree Brainstorming Steps:
- Write your main issue, challenge, or problem in the tree’s center box.
- Fill in the 1st level branch boxes with the 3 most important factors or components of your issue.
- Fill in the 2 factors that matter most to each of the boxes in Step 2.
- Fill in the 2 FRUITS that mean the most to each of the sub-branches in Step 3.
- Do the same process for the roots, but consider focusing on ‘underlying’ or unobvious factors, components, or characteristics.
- The boxes at the end of the roots path are your ROOTS.
- Pick 3 FRUITS from the branch sections and write them in the ‘Fruit’ box.
- Pick 2 ROOTS from the root sections and write them in the ‘Root’ box.
- Combine the FRUITS and ROOTS in as many ways as you like.
- Write your observances on any especially tasty idea meals.
Grow Some Ideas and Reap the Harvest!
The next time you have something on your mind that is giving you a bit of a headache… you need to make some Fruit Root Tree Brainstorm pie! Throw a couple of ideas at this method and see what you come up with!
The entire method can be found on the Tools page or here is a direct link to the Fruit Root Tree Brainstorming Method PDF.
Get more of your Life Purpose and Passion experience inside this new book, today: