Whether in the midst or a story or an article, or looking for a new topic to blog or write about, we’ve all had times where the words and ideas don’t seem to flow as easily as they should. Plenty of time is spent searching for the words to go on. The frustruation of writer’s block can actually make the block worse by increasing the stress levels we are feeling. So, the question is, what can we do to get out of this funk?

One way to generate new ideas is by brainstorming.

Many think of brainstorming as a group activity, but this doesn’t always have to be so. You can brainstorm with others, but it is also an effective way to get your creative juices flowing if you sit and do it on your own. Here are a few pointers on running a successful brainstorming session by yourself.

Set a time and stick to it. Before you start brainstorming, decide how long you want to brainstorm for and then set a timer. You don’t need to brainstorm until your ideas run out or for hours on end. Actually, anywhere from five to twenty minutes should be more than enough time for you to come up with a list of words and phrases that can help you on your way. The goal is to choose a time that will allow your session to reach its full potential.

Choose your topic. This is very important. In order to brainstorm successfully, you need to choose a specific topic. Of course, you could end up with a wide range or responses, which is the point, but there is no point sitting down to a brainstorming session if you are concentrating on the wrong topic or idea.

Write, write and write some more. No matter how random or even odd your thoughts may be, write them down. Also, don’t stop to make corrections, these are just rough drafts of words, so errors don’t matter. Besides, stopping writing can actually interrupt your creative flow, so just keep writing until your time is up. Do not assume anything is self-explanatory, focus to the smallest detail on your topic of choice.

Review your lists of words and phrases. When your time is up, you can review and categorize your phrases into relevant groups. Don’t worry if you don’t have a break through idea from one session, you can build on a previous sessions. Save all your brainstorming sheets as you’ll never know when you may need an idea from one of them.

Finally, brainstorming doesn’t come easily to everyone. Letting your mind wander freely may be something you need to practice, so don’t give up after just one try!