magine that you were to never get stuck again! Co-working comes with colleagues, and most of us at WorkIT are creative and are good listeners. If you don’t know the people near you, introduce yourself and ask if you might have a minute of their time. Let them know it can wait if they’re at a crucial point in their work.

Before you hit them up to be an active listener, take a notepad and make an outline of the project and the problem you’ve come upon. That way, when your colleague is ready to listen, you won’t have to ramble on and waste anyone’s time. Plainly state the project. Then say, “here’s where I could use your help. I’ve discovered I have three separate audiences and I’m going to have time to pitch to only one.” (Or whatever the problem is).

You may find that the act of formulating your problem in words actually resolves it for you. If not, approach that colleague. Ask what solutions they see. Ask for more than one, and write them all down. Try to never discount a colleague’s suggestion. In other words, do not come back with “oh, I thought of that and it won’t work because blah blah.” Write down every solution offered. Thank your colleague, and go back to your desk.

At your desk, think again about each offered solution. There may be something you have overlooked. Further, mentally troubleshooting your colleague’s solution might lead you to another idea. List the three best solutions, (from you and from your colleague) numbering them 1, 2, and 3. Ask yourself: “If I choose solution 1, what could go wrong? What could go right?” Write all of this down, and do the same for solution 2 and solution 3. This activity will surely lead you to the clear best choice.

It is possible you and a particular colleague will click with brainstorming styles. Resist the urge to go to the same colleague again and again. First, this will shut your brain off from other types of thinking. Second, you may begin to intrude upon your colleague’s work time. Third, you might alienate a colleague who never gets asked for any kind of help. We all want to feel useful.

Finally, before your “brainstorm buddy” leaves for the day, thank her or him again. Your colleagues are not here to necessarily solve your problems. However, she or he has given you their valuable time and ought to know you appreciate them.

Software:           $499.00

Notebook:          $5.99

WorkIT space:   $120.00

Colleagues:       Priceless