Connections. Finding them. Seeing them. Discovering them. Making them. Each of these actions often produce creative results or insights that can lead to creative solutions or just a stress removing laugh.

Puns and punning are examples of connections used to create humor. Many comedians use unique connections to create their jokes or stories. The history of science and industry is filled with examples of where people have made direct to unusual connections in order to solve problems or create new products.

Your challenge this week is to spend 15 to 20 minutes each day simply making connections between pairs of things that are not usually connected. One way to do this is to . . .

First...create two lists or columns from a to z. One column of animals (a to z). The other column of objects found in a home or an office.

If you would like to save time I have attached a sample with this message for you.

Each day choose two letters randomly in your head or write the letters down on slips or paper or index cards and then randomly choose them.

Then think up 6 to 12 connections between the animal and the object. The connections can be obivous, possible, purely imaginery or totally ridicuous.

Finally take the connections and apply them to

Monday
improve the object

Tuesday
create a party theme

Wednesday
create the plot for a new television show

Thursday
write a poem

Friday
develop a potential business for the year 2050

Have fun stretching your imagination and strengthening your creative skills in seeing to generating connections.

Best wishes for a highly creative, fun and prosperous week.

© 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 Robert Alan Black, Ph.D. CSP