The method of "Blooming Lotus" M. Mikalko

Main idea and its purpose

The method is used for analysis, disclosure and extraction of the content of existing problems, a method of organizing information by building it around an essential idea, activation of creative thinking, creation and development of creative ideas and search for new opportunities.
This is the optimal way to solve practical problems, by obtaining the maximum result at minimum costs, systematization of information on certain topics, planning tasks and making lists.
First, the essential idea or the core of the problem is determined, and then the petals of the subtopics unfold around the metaphorical center of the flower. When using this approach, a comprehensive study of the content of the problem and full disclosure of the given topic is achieved. The resulting extended holistic structure consistently exhausts the content of the problem and generates a number of new ideas and opportunities.

Application guidance: scope of application, for example, when working with a group of a certain age and composition; in individual work, etc.

The application of the method is based on the deployment of the universal radial structure underlying the structure and optimal functioning of the neuron and many other integral natural objects.
This structure is the basis of radial thinking and compact organization and system analysis of information. The basis of the method is the creation of a structure using a graphically structured field. Where the essence of the problem or problem is written in the middle. Next, in the squares F, C, G, D, H, A, E, B, write down what the problem (task) consists of. Each of these 8 components then becomes a focus for finding 8 solution ideas. Thus, at the end, we have a problem, 8 of its components, and 64 ideas for a solution, filling all the cells of the field. Together, they create a structure, the elements of which can create new connections between themselves, in which something new emerges.

The results of applying the method, for example, increasing the ability to go beyond standard solutions, etc.

When applying the method, the result is the ability to formulate the essence of the problem, break it down into components for a solution, and find many ideas for implementation, when combined, something new emerges. In this way, the ability to think in volumes, not linearly only, is trained.
The application of the "Blooming Lotus Method" allows you to activate the left and right hemispheres of the brain and visualize the very structure of the idea.
The technique encourages you to see patterns and make connections, and fully opens up the space of possible ideas.
Since the theme itself and the unfolding sub-themes are connected to the final integrated structure, new connections and interactions are established between them that give rise to new properties or functions, and their continuous dynamics causes the spontaneous generation of productive fresh ideas.

Instructions for combining creativity methods

  • 1. Determine the goal

    Determine why you want to use creative methods in your work and for whom, that is, what is the purpose, goals, meanings, audience, for whom it is happening.

  • 2. Read

    Read the description of the methods and recommendations for their use.

  • 3. Choose

    Choose those that best suit your purpose and tasks. When choosing methods, pay attention to the fact that they can be conditionally divided into several groups:● procedural, those that help answer the question HOW TO DO IT? How to optimize the process? How to do the process differently?● horizontal, those that answer the question WHO? WITH WHO? FOR WHOM? This is about the distribution of responsibility, and about clarifying the interests, association or for whom we are doing it.● vertical, those related to WHY? WHAT IS A PURPOSE? WHAT IS THE MAIN? It is about clarifying the hierarchy in the structure, the essence of the problem and its solution, what it consists of and what one wants to achieve.

  • 4. Make it specific

    Add the missing aspect to the vector. Depending on the task, one of the vectors will be the main one, and the other 2 will be auxiliary.● For example, you need to start the learning process in a different, new way: you choose the most suitable methods for your task and audience, and add methods for vertical and horizontal questions. This will add specificity towards the goal of this process and the distribution of tasks for everyone in the process, will help determine who and what it will be useful for. This creates a habit of thinking in different directions and structuring the process.● For example, the "Blooming Lotus" method allows you to determine the vertical vector, disassemble the problem into components, detail it by seeing the entire system of the problem at the same time, show the connections between different elements and find a solution for each element separately. If we add a horizontal and procedural layer of questions from the SCAMPER method, adding and concentrating on what is still missing, what can be added, what aspect has not yet been revealed, then we will get an even more complete picture and a solution that will cover the maximum fields of the same problem.

  • 5. Сombine methods

    Find and add polar aspects. You can combine methods that are more structural with playful ones based on the principle of combining polarities. This can make the process emotional but also structured at the same time. Yes, you can first choose the method that, in your opinion, is most suitable for your problem and task, then immediately determine the one that you would rather not use, which highlights the opposite sides. Moreover, your determined polarity can be conditional, that is, you yourself can determine what is polar in your case, what is the opposite. ● For example, if in one method there is a lot about the connections between elements, their detailed description, diving into the essence of details, then choosing a method that will consider the system of the problem from above, the whole whole, the system as a separate element in the environment around it, this will add scaling in finding a solution.

  • 6. Application time

     Different methods require different periods of time when applied. When combining methods, it is better to take this into account by adding a simpler and time-limited method to a method that is time-consuming and more difficult to use.

  • 7. Calibrate the original purpose

    During the whole process, calibrate from time to time with the original purpose, goals, meaning for what it all happens and for whom, because in the exciting creative space it can be easy to lose the axis on which the whole process should rest.

  • 8. Experiment

    Having created a combination of methods, it is important to experiment and be ready for changes and adaptation of the newly created to the needs, goals and tasks even more, because during the approbation we can just see the fact that was not taken into account. Here we can go back to points 4 and 5, adding aspects that are missing.● Note: try to feel the process, be present in it as much as possible, and allow imperfection and something spontaneous to arise, because the marker of novelty is your surprise, expansion of space and emergence of unexpected details, solutions, ideas.

Instructions for combining creativity methods

  • 1. Determine the goal

    Determine why you want to use creative methods in your work and for whom, that is, what is the purpose, goals, meanings, audience, for whom it is happening.

  • 2. Read

    Read the description of the methods and recommendations for their use.

  • 5. Сombine methods

    Find and add polar aspects. You can combine methods that are more structural with playful ones based on the principle of combining polarities. This can make the process emotional but also structured at the same time. Yes, you can first choose the method that, in your opinion, is most suitable for your problem and task, then immediately determine the one that you would rather not use, which highlights the opposite sides. Moreover, your determined polarity can be conditional, that is, you yourself can determine what is polar in your case, what is the opposite. ● For example, if in one method there is a lot about the connections between elements, their detailed description, diving into the essence of details, then choosing a method that will consider the system of the problem from above, the whole whole, the system as a separate element in the environment around it, this will add scaling in finding a solution.

  • 6. Application time

    Different methods require different periods of time when applied. When combining methods, it is better to take this into account by adding a simpler and time-limited method to a method that is time-consuming and more difficult to use.

  • 3. Choose

    Choose those that best suit your purpose and tasks. When choosing methods, pay attention to the fact that they can be conditionally divided into several groups:● procedural, those that help answer the question HOW TO DO IT? How to optimize the process? How to do the process differently?● horizontal, those that answer the question WHO? WITH WHO? FOR WHOM? This is about the distribution of responsibility, and about clarifying the interests, association or for whom we are doing it.● vertical, those related to WHY? WHAT IS A PURPOSE? WHAT IS THE MAIN? It is about clarifying the hierarchy in the structure, the essence of the problem and its solution, what it consists of and what one wants to achieve.

  • 4. Make it specific

    Add the missing aspect to the vector. Depending on the task, one of the vectors will be the main one, and the other 2 will be auxiliary.● For example, you need to start the learning process in a different, new way: you choose the most suitable methods for your task and audience, and add methods for vertical and horizontal questions. This will add specificity towards the goal of this process and the distribution of tasks for everyone in the process, will help determine who and what it will be useful for. This creates a habit of thinking in different directions and structuring the process.● For example, the "Blooming Lotus" method allows you to determine the vertical vector, disassemble the problem into components, detail it by seeing the entire system of the problem at the same time, show the connections between different elements and find a solution for each element separately. If we add a horizontal and procedural layer of questions from the SCAMPER method, adding and concentrating on what is still missing, what can be added, what aspect has not yet been revealed, then we will get an even more complete picture and a solution that will cover the maximum fields of the same problem.

  • 7. Calibrate the original purpose

    During the whole process, calibrate from time to time with the original purpose, goals, meaning for what it all happens and for whom, because in the exciting creative space it can be easy to lose the axis on which the whole process should rest.

  • 8. Experiment

    Having created a combination of methods, it is important to experiment and be ready for changes and adaptation of the newly created to the needs, goals and tasks even more, because during the approbation we can just see the fact that was not taken into account. Here we can go back to points 4 and 5, adding aspects that are missing.● Note: try to feel the process, be present in it as much as possible, and allow imperfection and something spontaneous to arise, because the marker of novelty is your surprise, expansion of space and emergence of unexpected details, solutions, ideas.

Other methods of creativity activation

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Desirable thinking

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List of control questions

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The Phoenix Checklist

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SCAMPER

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The method of "Blooming Lotus"

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The method of fictional characters

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Freewriting

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Dream magazine

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K. Jung's test - 16 associations

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Koberg and Bagnell – „A Universal Traveller“

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Disney Creative Strategy 

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Game perception 

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"TRIZ"

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The method of inversion 

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Transform 

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The reframing matrix

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