Your Next Idea is 10 Minutes Away... Guaranteed.
By
Staten Island, NY Posted: 5/5/2015 1:00:00 AM
Some people wonder how I can come up with an idea every day. Here's how: I try.
It may sound funny, but the real key to coming up with a new idea is... taking 10 minutes to focus on finding one. When I do that, I always come up with at least one or two.
I get so frustrated when people tell me they aren't creative and they aren't good at brainstorming new ideas. I've got news for you. I'm an idea guy, but I'm not special. I don't have any special powers that "Non-Creative" people lack. It's truly just that I try.
Most of the people who say they aren't creative have never sat down with the sole purpose of coming up with an idea. As Yoda would say "That is why you fail". It's not a lack of creativity, it's a lack of trying.
Want proof?
Set a timer for 10 minutes, then grab a piece of paper or your favorite electronic gadget for taking notes, then write whatever comes to mind. The subject isn't important, so you can just write down whatever pops into your head. If you don't like to write, record yourself with your cell phone, whatever you use... just get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper or electronic form
10 minutes later, I guarantee you will have at least one idea. In fact, you might surprise yourself with quite a few.
Full disclaimer... some of your ideas will suck. Congratulations... That's a great start!
Don't worry if some (or all) of them suck. Your next task is actually easier. Next time you sit down for another 10 minute round, instead of starting from scratch, make the entire focus on just improving the list you made in the last round. This is what the Japanese call "Kaizen", which means continuous improvement, and it's the key to developing great ideas. Repeat this process again and again, and you won't believe the results.
By using Kaizen / Continuous Improvement techniques, even the worst ideas have the potential to become great.
It actually gets easier each day, because instead of starting from scratch, your only goal is making a small improvement to your prior idea. At the session after that... you look for another improvement to the prior (already improved) idea.
So the question remains... when is it "Done"? In the true spirit of Kaizen, that day will never come, because everything can be improved, even if only a little.
Joe Crescenzi, Founder
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* Note: The ideas on "Idea of the Day" were posted without any formal research into existing inventions.
In some cases, patents may already exist for these ideas, in other cases, there may not be any existing patents and you are free to develop and explore the viability of developing and patenting the ideas.
The authors make no claim that any of the ideas are safe, practical, or suitable for any particular purpose. You are responsible for the results of trying, developing, patenting or using any of the ideas on this site.
For some people, our ideas are just an interesting read, but our goal is to encourage you to take action. If you see an idea that you like, do something with it... Take action.
- Joe
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