Stanford Design Lab Ideate Homework

1. Protea’s Path
Protea needs a way to learn to sell/market herself because she
is determined to have her own business but is not confident.

2. 50+Solutions
 Get a public speaking coach
 Join Toastmasters
 Interview successful entrepreneurs on their habits.
 Go to transformational/personal growth workshops
 Consciously set out to make one new friend each week.

3. 50 + Solutions Cont’d
 Get a job in her field and build up confidence.
 Get a buddy to hold her accountable for getting out in the
public.
 Research sales and marketing on line.
 Join a meet-up group for entrepreneurs in her field.
 Get a job in her field and build up confidence.

4. Here come some more…
 Write a list of all of the great qualities she has to offer to
a business.
 Stand up for yourself – practice saying, “no!”
 Make a vision board with all of her dreams.
 Turn all fearful situations into a learning opportunity.
 Never take anything personally.

5. And even more…
 Go to grad school and get a PhD.
 Volunteer her skills to filmmakers – anywhere in the
world!
 Write a kick-ass 60 second elevator pitch and pitch it to
everyone she meets.
 Go out and buy a couple of outrageously expensive
outfits that would boost confidence.

6. They just keep coming!
 Become a speaker/expert on one aspect (storytelling) of
filmmaking.
 Take a year off and write the narrative of a lifetime.
 Buy all of the state of the art gear available for film
making.
 Ask Aaron Sorkin for a job.
 Write a film, get it crowd funded.

7. 5 more…
 Use positive affirmations – eliminate negative self-talk and
worry about the economy and the poor rate of students getting
jobs.
 Get hypnotized!
 Make a list of everything in the way of total success and then
ceremoniously burn it!
 Be motivated and passionate!
 Always promote what is in it for someone else if they do
business with you.

8. We’ll get there!
 Expand your comfort zone – do something each day that
scares you.
 Brag about yourself to.
 Enroll a mentor.
 Evaluate how much time you spend promoting yourself.
 Stop surfing the internet at night and go to sleep!

9. Nearly there…
 Go alone on a one-week silent retreat.
 Join the circus.
 Go to Tiffany’s and ask to see the jewelry in the “back
room.” Try it on!
 Dress up like your favorite celebrity and go out and “be”
that person for a night.
 Apply to do a TED Talk – make sure you get in.

10. Getting closer…
 Write a gratitude list every night.
 Put on a magical confidence hat.
 Move to Los Angeles.
 Send a story to Steven Spielberg and call him everyday to
ask if he will produce it
 Consciously develop great listening skills.

11. Finally!
 Pick one seemingly difficult project, mind map it and get it
done.
 Never accept “no” for an answer for something you want.
 Marry someone famous.
 Create a YouTube video and set out to make it go viral.
 Contact the paper or Texas monthly magazine to get them
interested in writing an article about her.
 Learn what it means to develop a ferocity for business.

12. Now for the 3 Solutions
 The most practical – Join Toastmasters. I think this would be the easiest
thing of all 50 solutions to do while getting the most bang for your buck.
She could test out her enrollment skills and promote herself at the same
time!
 The most disruptive – Move to Los Angeles. If she really wants to make it
in the film industry, she should get herself right in the middle of it. She
hasn’t had to worry too much about survival and this could help get to
learn the industry while learning what it means to be in business for
yourself. She could benefit from a new environment, away from the safety
of her family.
 My favorite idea – Ask Aaron Sorkin for a job – doing anything! He is a
personal hero of mine (not necessarily hers.) Working with such a clever
writer and director would put her right in the middle of writing for the
industry and learning from the best.