Do you feel like you’re just one good idea short of success? (Tweet this)
Having a worthwhile idea to develop into a viable business is one of the most common issues Leaving Work Behind readers seem to experience.
Invariably, plenty of you guys seem to have drive and ambition in abundance ; you are perhaps just lacking the one thing that will allow you to leverage those qualities to their maximum potential: a great idea.
I certainly have many weaknesses, but one thing I am never short of is ideas. In fact, I have a surplus of them. And in this article, I want to share with you the two simple steps I follow to produce and develop those ideas.
1. Nourish Creativity
Great ideas are borne of great creativity. Therefore, in order to generate ideas, you must put yourself in surroundings that breed creativity.
In my experience, that “creative zone” is a place that many of us rarely see. It is stifled by the habits of modern life. Quite simply, it is silence. I mean that in both a literal and figurative sense. That rare moment in our lives when you have time to consider that which you have not yet considered. When there is nothing in particular to worry about — when your mind is truly free to wander aimlessly.
Regular readers may recall my trip to Bulgaria back in May 2012. What you may not have pieced together is that my holiday was the catalyst for everything I am working towards now. It started with a bit of an epiphany, as described in Why I Am No Longer In A Rush To Get Rich, and developed from there.
Here’s a brief list of ideas I came up with while on vacation:
- A new blog
- Two information products
- A fresh guest posting strategy
- The re-branding of this site
- The new content drive of this site
- Ten new article ideas
Basically, the ideas for everything I am doing right now, and everything that I plan to do in the next twelve months or so, were all formulated in Bulgaria. And do you know why? Because I was in that elusive creative zone. For a whole week, I had nothing to worry about apart from a few hours of work in the morning, an afternoon round of golf, and an evening spent relaxing. I actually came up with the idea for this very post on that same holiday.
All successful businesses (in one way or another) rely upon creativity. In spite of that, many of us overwork ourselves and then boast of 70 hour work weeks, as if it is a badge of honor — a right of passage for new and aspiring entrepreneurs. But running yourself into the ground in such a way stifles creativity to the point of suffocation.
I know that it is tough to find time where you can simply sit in silence and let your creative juices flow. But you must make time for it. No television, no computers, no distractions — just moments of peace where you don’t need to be doing anything. You’ll be amazed at what starts to emerge. A clear mind breeds clarity of purpose.
Do you know when my best ideas typically come about? When I’m in bed, and it’s pitch black, and there is nothing left for me to do but think. Sometimes insomnia can be a good thing.
2. Think Indiscriminately
The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas, and throw the bad ones away. (Tweet this)
~ Linus Pauling
Some of you may know that I am a singer in a band. I also write songs. I’d like to think that I write a good song every now and then, but I don’t half write a lot of crap as well. It’s ultimately a numbers game: the more I write, the more likely I am to come up with something of quality.
So don’t be afraid of having terrible ideas — on the contrary, welcome them with open arms. Treat all of your ideas as golden. Write them down. Roll them around in your head and let them develop; you never know where they may lead. Don’t be afraid to experiment. As an anonymous wit once said, “A half-baked idea is okay, as long as it’s in the oven”.
For instance, a few months ago I had an idea for a blog, but I never felt comfortable with it. That idea eventually developed into something that I would love to do (as soon as I have the time and finances to commit to it). What I think of as one great idea, came out of another that didn’t thrill me.
Alternatively, consider my Easy Tweet Embed plugin (which I have used twice in this post). What started off as a blog post became an extremely primitive plugin. A reader of this blog then got in touch with me and was of huge assistance in creating what is now a fully-featured plugin on the WordPress.org repository. Who knows where this journey will continue to take me?
Even the most small and insignificant of ideas can lead to bigger things, so never put your ideas down.
I have a folder in my Evernote called Future Projects. It is filled with tens of individual ideas; most of which I know will never come to fruition. (Niche sites based primarily upon a Twitter growth strategy? Interesting concept, but almost definitely financially unviable.) Still, I keep them. I may well never come back to most of them, but I think there are a few gems in there. And in order to find those diamonds in the rough, you do have to sift through the rough.
Your Great Idea Could be Just Around the Corner
Although being naturally creatively minded is important (and can give you an edge), simply allowing yourself to be creative, and not stifling that creativity, can make a huge difference.
The above is what works for me, and I believe that it can work for you too. For those amongst you who don’t have a problem in coming up with new ideas, tell us:L what are your methods? And for those of you who do struggle, do you think that the above advice will help? There is only one way to find out!
I will leave you with one more quote — one that should spur you on once you begin to develop some great ideas:
Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.
~ Nolan Bushnell
Photo Credit: Kash_if
David Shaw says
Great article Tom, it’s this kind of stuff that keeps me going! Keep up the great work!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks David! Glad you liked it 🙂
David Loney says
I would argue that your blog is making you money as you have received freelance jobs from it 🙂 And I bet that once you release an info product you will have many sales.
Also, goodwill can be assigned a dollar value. With this blog you have probably created thousands of dollars in goodwill.
Tom Ewer says
True David, but some people wouldn’t see it that way.
I’d like to think there’s some goodwill 🙂
Running from the Runs says
Loved this post, personally, it felt very timely and I think will give me an extra “push” to seek out moments that allow me to reflect. You have an excellent point about when you are doing “nothing” you tend to have those ah-ha moments, and it is always useful to have a place to record those thoughts because you never know when they will sneak up on you!
Tom Ewer says
Glad you liked it! 🙂
Ben says
Great tips, Tom. I used to get beat up at the office for asking a question without thinking through a possible solution first. The memorable advice I received was to think of 3 possible solutions before asking for help. It really boosted my creativity.
Tom Ewer says
That’s a good tip Ben, and also a great way to not really irritate people who think you would rather have them give you a solution rather than take the time to think of one yourself 😉
Brett says
I’ve been in my current niche for a couple of years now. This year I’ve started a membership site, and here’s the low down on what it’s like to move way, way, way, beyond blogging…
http://www.smartincomeinvestments.com/articles/making-money/membership-sites/
The site is nice in that it’s now generating an endless number of ideas for future online ventures. But I would not consider doing something like this unless I knew the niche well and way prepared to work 70 hour weeks. Because yes, a big project like this will require that level of commitment.
Sophie Lizard says
Those are both great tips! My own best creative thinking tip is to consider whether you enjoy an idea first, and whether it’ll work second. Enjoyment is the motivation that helps you find ways to make things work.
Tom Ewer says
Interesting idea Sophie – enjoyment can be key. But then sometimes it’s just good to make money 😉
Thomas @ Mobile App Tycoon says
Great tips here Tom! I definitely think everyone has the potential for coming up with GREAT ideas, it’s just a matter of being ready for those ideas when they come. I usually get my best ideas while actively doing things, whether it’s just normal tasks or in a completely different environment. So I always make sure to voice record my ideas on my iPod so I don’t forget them and can come back to them later.
Thomas
Tom Ewer says
Yes Thomas – logging your ideas is absolutely vital. I used to fool myself into thinking that if an idea is good enough, I’ll remember it, but that simply isn’t the case. Now I always write down things when they come to me.
Yaisa Hagood says
Tom,
I feel like this post was written for me. For months, I’ve been struggling with coming up with ideas and recently learned that I’ve allowed the pressures of life to stop my creativity which I was born with. This past week, I’ve done actually what you said I’ve allowed myself some quiet time to let my mind wonder and now I feel inspired. I have also been mediating for 15 minutes a day during my peak time which is first thing in the morning. These two things have really helped.
Tom Ewer says
That’s great to hear Yaisa! Quiet time is good for so many reasons…
Charley says
Great Tom! Intelligently explained and absolutely understood. I’ve heard of this being disseminated and I’ve experienced it as well; those moments when a new and fascinating idea hits your mind. And it’s true – those are usually moments when we’re free, doing nothing, and just with a clear head. I’ve also received some writing advice from somewhere online that suggests you rest for a while, and come back to your article with a clear head, whenever you hit writer’s block. Well said!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Charley! You’ve made a good point with regards to rest – people work themselves in the ground, but one of the keys to productivity is giving yourself adequate time to recover.
Chinh says
Great post Mike! Thanks for the reminder to seek stillness and quiet in order to foster my creativity. What works really well for me is when I take a hike or walk in nature. That’s when I can slow down my crazy mind and just appreciate nature and let the Universe send me awesome ideas. 🙂
Chinh says
Ooooops, sorry I called you Mike. I meant, Tom 😀
Tom Ewer says
No problem Chinh 😉
I recently discovered a previously unknown love for walking – even if it’s just to my library, or something equally boring. It’s a great way of giving yourself a break.
Terry Conti says
Hi Tom,
Such an inspiring post. What I got out of it is to keep your mind always going. Just like the universe itself, what you think is limit less with no boundaries.
Working your mind is a great thing but what ever it is that your mind can conceive, without out action nothing happens.
Really liked your quote about the shower,
Terry Conti
Tom Ewer says
Well I can’t take credit for the quote Terry, but I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Joy says
Solid Post, My friend…solid yet simple and i guess it’s the simple things in life which we most ignore.
Then again, all credit for this thought process goes to the “70 hrs a week” regime that we have more or less made a part of our system! (We whine about it but do nothing to change)
There is so much commotion going around and inside us that technically, coming out of that syndrome would be a serious challenge!
I totally agree with you @ documentation…Frankly, i do have the habit of documenting things, but many a times a particular idea germinates in the mind and also gets shot at, in no time( without getting documented).
Gotta work on this aspect
So long…J.C
Tom Ewer says
Hey Joy,
Always nice to hear (or read) from you 🙂
Always logging your ideas (especially the fleeting ones) is tough at first, but it becomes habit before long.
Cheers,
Tom
Kat says
I’m very interested in your ideas Tom but there is still such a compromise (at times) between the need for cash and the need to nourish one’s own creativity.
As a secondary school teacher working 70+ hours a week, my creativity was solely classroom based, nurturing the learning experience of others, rather than my own ideas. After ill-health intervened and plopped me out of the classroom, a few poorly paid writing gigs technically entitled me to call myself a “freelance writer”. However, one of these gigs quickly had the potential to become all consuming as the client liked what I wrote and wanted more (without wanting to pay more), it was becoming a poorly paid gig in a niche that I wasn’t comfortable with (gambling) which was proving to be nothing more than soul-destroying content farming and again putting me in the position of channelling my own creativity for someone else’s profit (I didn’t mind doing this “for the kids” in school, but I did resent it as a lowly freelancer at the bottom of a bigger writing company’s food chain, especially knowing that they, rather than I, were being paid handsomely for my work). In all, despite the fact that I was now undertaking a ‘creative’ career, I felt totally stifled by it and very unhappy. So I made the conscious decision to give notice to that particular client and instead I now use that time to work on my own projects and nourish my creativity, as you rightly suggest!
Although I am now obviously very skint, I am much happier and much more creative, so whilst I do agree with your excellent post ~ making space for your own creativity and ideas is incredibly important, I do also agree with both Sophie’s comment about the enjoyment-aspect rather than the money-making aspect coming first, for me it was a small nagging voice that I just can’t ignore any more (think small child, long journey “are we there yet?” and you’ll know why it was hard to ignore)! Of course I do secretly nurture the hope that my *own* writing will pay off eventually 😀 but in the meantime I am just really happy to have taken the plunge and nourished my creativity. This side-step, if you like, has also had the side-effect of nourishing my health, which is slowly improving, so I think this is another benefit which could be included into the mix!
Thanks again for another thought-provoking post 🙂
Tom Ewer says
Hey Kat,
Thank you for sharing your story, and congratulations on making the difficult move of stepping away from low paying, soul sapping content mill writing work!
I think the key ultimately is balance. You want that convergence between what you enjoy doing, and what can make you money. Finding that sweet spot is tough, and you may have to do the kind of work that you don’t particularly enjoy in the meantime, but as long as you’re heading in the right direction, there is always going to be something to look towards.
Cheers,
Tom
Tim says
Tom, you are so right when you say “silence” is the best way to get into the creative zone. That’s why many of us have so many great ideas in the shower! When you can’t do much (imagine sitting in a room with no cell phone, computer, no books, magazines etc) the mind is finally free to relax and that’s when the creative juices begin to flow.
One tip to do this is to meditate. Just sit, close your eyes, focus on breathing in and out and try to let go of worry, planning etc. I usually set aside like 15 minutes so I can actually let go of everything on my mind. So dedicate a short bit of time to just relax and let go. Sounds cheesy but does wonders for creativity not to mention stress reduction and overall health.
Tom Ewer says
I totally agree Tim. Some people struggle with the concept of “meditating”, but in its purest form, it is simply allowing yourself a period of silence. Nothing may come of it, but you never know…
Vijay says
🙂 great! there was any hesitation in you about this post, before writing?
Tom Ewer says
Nope; it was something I wanted to say Vijay 🙂