Unique brainstorming tool helps you to generate ideas and implement them

Get Unstuck and Get Going …on the Stuff That Matters is a unique combination of a self-help book, brainstorming tool and action-planning system. Developed by creativity coach Michael Bungay Stanier, its unique format and excellent content make it a valuable addition to any executive's creative problem-solving toolkit.

How this system is organized
Get Unstuck is a four-part system, consisting of:
A workbook, with 3 "flip" card sections that can help you to generate up to 125,000 different perspectives,
The "Action Acceleration" sheet, which provides a process that helps you to move from ideas to action,
The Little Green Book, which explains the thinking behind the Get Unstuck tool and provides helpful examples of how to use it, and
The Get Unstuck and Get Going website, which provides additional resources to users.
When I first paged through the Get Unstuck tool, my attention was immediately drawn to the 3 horizontal flip panels, which are entitled "Inspiring Stories," "Provocative Quotes" and "Powerful Models." Remember the children's flip book format, where kids can flip each set of panels to combine one animal's head with another's body and a third one's feet? That's what this ideation flip book is like. Each card is imprinted with a nugget of creative wisdom, plus a thought-provoking coaching question, designed to get your synapses firing. If you want to get an idea of the types of stories and questions featured on this card, Michael has created an interactive web page where you can test drive different combinations of story, quote and model "cards."

The Action Acceleration process
As you work your way through the Get Unstuck process, you record your answers on Action Acceleration sheets. The top half of the sheet includes spaces where you can define your challenge and write down ideas and inspirations that you get from looking at the flip cards. The bottom half of the sheet is focused on helping you to take action on your ideas, with boxes labeled "What will I do?" "What will get in the way?" "What will support me?" and
"Accountability."
Clearly, the Action Acceleration sheet is more than just a place to record your ideas and inspirations -- it's also a powerful framework for action. That's something that helps to make this a unique ideation and coaching tool.

The Little Green Book
When Michael first prototyped the Get Unstuck tool and gave it to some people to play with, he discovered that all of the "front end" information -- the instructions on how to use it -- were getting in the way of people's ability to simply begin problem-solving with it. So he broke this information off into a separate instructional booklet, which is inserted into the front cover pocket. This gives users the flexibility to either read The Little Green Book first and then use the tool, or simply start brainstorming with the tool immediately, without reading the instructions.

Additional resources
When you buy the Get Unstuck tool, Michael will send you a weekly lesson via e-mail. He is also holding Tele classes to answer user questions and to help users get the most out of this unique brainstorming tool. I applaud Michael for offering the support services; usually, when you buy a brainstorming tool, you're completely on your own.

The thinking behind Get Unstuck
Michael’s goal in developing this tool was to bring the power of coaching to a large number of people. “It’s designed to appeal to anyone who is creatively stuck and cannot afford to hire a personal coach. It provides users with a simple, practical process to define problems, generate possibilities and take action,” he explains.
Michael doesn't want this tool to be viewed as a book, which is read once and then gathers dust on a shelf. Similarly, most training courses represent a onetime "injection" of information into the participants' brains, which is often quickly forgotten. Get unstuck was designed to help overcome the limitations of both of these learning formats. "I'd love for people should keep this on their desk, so they can pull it out and use it whenever they get stuck," he adds
Get Unstuck is not only designed for individual use; Michael also envisions it as an organizational tool that middle managers can use with their direct reports to help them develop improved problem-solving skills. And coaches can use it to help their clients to think in fresh new directions. Get Unstuck is endorsed by the leaders of some of the leading coaching organizations, including the International Coach Federation and Coachville.

Conclusion
Almost anyone, given the right mindset, can generate fresh ideas. The key is taking action on them. Fortunately, Get Unstuck has both of these ends covered. This thoughtfully-designed system gently coaches you to think laterally about your current challenge and record your ideas, and then provides you with a simple, practical process to help you translate ideas into profitable action.