Mind pumping works like a creative workout for the brain. The goal here, as in sports circuit training, is to develop and reflect on a creative self-image with regularly performed exercise sets. Ultimately, when executed together as a team, the method serves to increase creative output.
With the use of a digital Kanban tool, e.g. Trello, the results from mind pumping can be documented and brought together in a structured way over a longer period of time. This is particularly useful for teams that do not physically work together in the same place. On a shared Kanban board, the results can be documented, commented on and further developed in a variety of ways. From the mind pumping of the individual team members, a diversely usable idea board is created. Depending on the team and the exercise selection, the following emerge, for example: Approaches for digital product development, starting points for breakout sessions, formats for team exchange, documentation of personal creative development, etc.
The dynamics created on the board and the regular updating of the respective lists with fresh input increase the motivation of the individual team members, and innovation fears and creative inhibitions can be reduced. With the shared Kanban board, the entire transformation team has access and can inspire each other. Updates on the Mind Pumping board can also be used as a hook for joint check-ins. The starting point for digital mind pumping with are the approaches presented by Michael Michalko in his book “Thinkertoys”. Derived from this, the following exercises are suitable for digital mind pumping:
1) Breaking Habits Routines Consciously.
2) Feeding your Head Define reading material as brain food, document and record small results.
3) Content Analysis Create small content analyses from ads, videos, blogs, etc. Goal: Identify trends.
4) Travel Stories Discover new places and bring back inspiration.
5) Idea Birds Capture quick ideas and inspirations. That way, they don’t get lost in short-term memory.
6) Idea Log Systematic storing of ideas as a log for different work areas.
7) Brainbank collection of inspirational snippets, images, memes.
