Recently when I’ve been a part of a brainstorm in the office, or just have heard the word “brainstorming” I’ve thought of a (surprisingly appropriate and clean) lyric of “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland and Lil’ Wayne in which Lil’ Wayne raps “Rain on my head, call it brainstorming.” Well, Wayne, I’d have to say it’s raining brainstormin’ up in Willow.

At Willow, it takes place at the coffee bar or the conference room, with the life-size easel pad or each Willow shrubs’ notebook. But what is brainstorming? As is done whenever information is desired in this day and age, I Googled said activity. One simple definition called brainstorming (n): intensive discussion to solve problems or generate ideas. I’d have to agree– simple and to the point. Another calls a brainstorm (n): a sudden impulse, idea, etc., which I imagine as a light bulb drawn over a cartoon characters head, or an “Ah HA!” moment. But my favorite definition of a brainstorm (n) would have to be: a fit of mental confusion or excitement.

This last definition conjures up a scene of pure chaos and madness, loud and sudden insanity, with smoke and broken glass. A bit dramatic, yes, but to me the most helpful definition for all those brainstormers out there.

Supporting the latter definition, my additional Google search find of “Step by Step Brainstorming” seems a bit comical. How can you put a guide, one through ten, on “a fit of mental confusion?” In my opinion the insanity aspect is the most useful way to generate a crazy idea today, which could possibly be the most genius idea in the future.

I’d say there is one rule in brainstorming, no idea is a bad idea, and in my experience brainstorming at Willow, I have heard that very “rule” in every session. Most things/ideas/inventions/innovations don’t make too much sense at their beginning, but now we can’t imagine life without them. So, the crazier the better. Think outside the box. The sky’s the limit. And Lil’ Wayne may have been right. Occasionally our brainstorming sessions do include a bit of “rain on my head” as the roof above the coffee bar is known to leak now and then.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/brainstorming