Where Do Ideas Come From?
Where Do Ideas Come From?
A long wondered about question
When I was thinking of starting to write, one of the obstacles that kept me from starting was not having enough ideas to write about. How am I going to think up enough topics to write about?
Then I realized that I’ve come up with ideas in business for many years. I’ve had successful ideas for marketing, sales, operations and other concepts of business. Those required a lot more thought and detail versus thinking of what topic I should write about.
Now years later when people approach me about writing, one of the first questions asked of me is how do you come up with your ideas on what to write on? Where do you come up with your topics? As if I’ve become some kind of an expert by unlocking a formula for discovering ideas.
I’m no expert and there is no formula.
Six years ago I spent time researching and reading about ideas. I bought a few books, watch some documentaries, read stories online and even talked to some highly successful individuals. Individuals who came up with ideas for businesses and inventions that are written about extensively.
To my disappointment, but really not a surprise there was nothing connecting anyone’s idea to another. You know the feeling you get when you’re searching for an answer that you sort of already know but don’t want to face it? That was what I felt like in my research about what spurred ideas.
What I found, was what I expected. Nothing conclusive from one person to another. Heck, most couldn’t even pinpoint when or how the biggest “aha” idea even came up.
Scientific findings have extensive research writings filled with big words with explanations of various theories. Just a lot of unknowns, which to me is fascinating.
If you think of everything that has evolved in this world within products, inventions or businesses. Look up any business or product for what their idea inspiration was. The stories are wonderful to read. But what you’ll find is they all have a unique and different story that was spurred by an idea. An idea that blossomed in all different ways.
Now if there is no class for ideas, isn’t a playbook or place to go where ideas can be bought, how do so many people come upon them?
It’s a great question and one that’s entirely different to each person you ask.
Since you’re reading this you’re expecting my view on ideas from what I’ve gathered and experienced over time. This is what I’ve discovered.
Why do you need or want an idea? What are trying to solve? What’s lacking or missing? What can be improved? How can I improve upon that so it’s better? To create, find or discover an idea, you first need a thought on a subject, problem or something you want to focus on.
The challenge is expanding on a thought. Turn that thought into ideas. That singular thought you have, if bounced around in your head long enough, will continue to spur ideas. It’s like a bunch of puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces will come about that need to be connected.
View a thought like a post it note in your head. Then your brain creates puzzle pieces which will come together to create a puzzle (your idea). Some people may come up with the entire puzzle right away. I view it as puzzle pieces because my ideas have always been through an accumulation and not a “bam” there it is, I’ve discovered it all at once.
Write them down. It’s not a coincidence that we come up with ideas when we’re least expecting or in a position to act on them. Ideas come easier when you aren’t actually trying to at the moment. They surprise you when you least expect them. Your brain is relaxed and able to pull concepts together for your thoughts to create ideas. Write them down as it’s usually not that single idea but a combination of multiple ones. Remember the puzzle pieces.
Your environment fosters ideas. Locking yourself in a room with a pen and paper works for some. Not me. The place that has spurred the most ideas for me is the shower. Just standing in the shower and thinking. Walks with no music or headphones. Just walking and thinking. Sitting on my patio at night. Turning off my brain to just relax.
Some others activities which were told to me by others that have worked are running, folding laundry, gardening, cooking, yoga, meditating, driving with nothing on the radio, sitting at a coffee shop, mowing the lawn and small get togethers with others to discuss a thought to create an idea.
Distractions have not helped me. Social media, television, listening to music and movies have never helped spur an idea for me. I’ve found that when you’re concentrating or watching something with your full attention you’re not able to think freely.
Trust your idea. Where many fail to expand on their idea, is not trusting their idea enough and acting on it. You have to take risks with an idea. Push beyond the limits of comfortable. How else do you know if it would truly work? Trust your idea but more importantly trust yourself.
“Any idea withheld is an idea taken away. It’s selfish to hold back when there’s a chance you have something to offer.”
- Seth Godin
The Coffee Table ☕
I read a good story in the WSJ entitled It’s Not Just You: Businesses Are Making Their Phone Numbers Hard to Find. It talks about how companies really don’t want to talk to you. It amazes me how far customer service quality has fallen.
On Thanksgiving, my wife and I always watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles. It’s so funny and a great Thanksgiving movie. Then leading up to Christmas we watch many Christmas movies as a family. Last week we were talking with friends of ours about the best Christmas movies. Here are my 5 favorite.
Honorable Mention (Like their messages): The Polar Express & The Family Man
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