Mind pumping is about a kind of creative circuit training to reflect and develop one’s creative self-image. In the opening chapter of his book “thinkertoys”, Michael Michalko describes eleven exercises that train you to become a creative person.
Here is a brief summary of what each exercise involves or what it focuses on – the more detailed instructions can be found under “Execution”:
1) Idea Quota
Demand a “target” from yourself – a minimum quota of ideas per day.
2) Getting Tone
Jet fighter pilots say “I’ve got tone” when their radar has locked on to the attack target. “Getting Tone” in your creative work life means paying sharpened attention to happenings in the environment.
3) Tiny Truths
This attention exercise was developed by a photographer and involves looking at an image or photo so intently for ten minutes that you can later recall details visually.
4) Dukes Of Habit
“Dukes of Habits” love routines and are therefore limited problem solvers. The method helps to break habits and barriers to thinking.
5) Feeding Your Head
What do you feed your brain? In this chapter, Michalko shows you how to choose which books to read and how to make sense of them.
6) Content Analysis
Produce content analysis of advertisements, ad sheets, television programs, seminars, conferences, and radio broadcasts to identify current trends.
7) Brainbanks
Make yourself a box or crate to collect advertisements, quotes, designs, ideas, questions, cartoons, pictures, et cetera to inspire yourself when needed.
8) Travel Junkie
Travel! Visit stores, fairs, exhibitions, libraries, flea markets, retirement homes, toy stores or universities when you are uninspired.
9) Capturing Idea Birds
Immediately write down inspirations and ideas that suddenly appear. This will trick your short-term memory.
10) Think Right
Work consciously to make your thinking fluid and flexible. “Liquid” means the number of ideas and “flexible” describes the creativity of the ideas.
11) Idea Log
Keep an idea log where you systematically store ideas about your work areas. Sections of this protocol could be marketing, products, sales, personnel, service et cetera.
