The 8 Best Ways to Have Breathtaking Ideas
Photo by Asgeir Kolberg
This is a guest post by Skellie, who occasionally blogs at Skelliewag.org.
A million dollar business, a successful website, a blockbuster movie and a top-selling product all have one thing in common: they begin with a great idea.
The question is: How do you have great ideas? Do you have to wait for a flash of inspiration, or a spell of good luck?
The answer is no. Luck has very little to do with it.
In this post, I’ll examine eight tried and tested methods that some of the brightest minds in history have used to have breathtaking ideas.
The good news is that you too can start using each of these techniques today.
1. Focus on opposites
When something becomes extremely popular, the opposite often also becomes popular, as people turn away from the mainstream. The “Twilight” novel series has become extremely popular, with its chaste and noble vampires – then the popular TV series “True Blood” emerged, based around vampires that are abusive and lustful.
The opposite of a great idea can often be another great idea.
Think of how you could retain the great aspects of your favorite ideas, while doing something that’s completely opposite. For example, so many web apps are about engaging with the largest possible number of people – why not create an app about engaging extremely closely with a small circle of friends? So many gaming websites are filled with short news articles and humor – why not create a site that publishes long, serious articles only?
2. Create variations
Take one idea and split it into all possible variants. If you have the idea to start a blog about cutting edge science, take some time to think of all the possible variants. What are the topics within science? What are the different ways you could cover them? What platforms could you use? What angles could you take?
3. Find a great idea, then change the context
Find an idea you already love, and think about how it could be applied in a different context. Take a great blog post from one niche and use the same formula in another niche. Take a classic sci-fi plot and adapt it to a political thriller. Take the best aspects of a social bookmarking web app and apply them to your email app.
As the saying goes: there are no new ideas, only new contexts.
4. Approach idea generation like problem solving
Having a great idea is a lot like finding the solution to a difficult problem. Though some of history’s greatest problems have been solved in a flash of inspiration, most were solved after days, weeks or months of hard work and relentless trial and error. Most great ideas come about in the same way.
You should be prepared to sit down and work at having ideas, and improving them. Famous novelists often say they are perplexed by the question “Where do you get your ideas?”. The plot of a book never appears fully formed in their mind – it starts with a little idea, maybe a single scene, a character concept, or a beginning – and after lots of work, is refined into something much more complex. If the author works hard enough, it may even become a great idea.
5. Have ordinary ideas, boring ideas, and simple ideas too
A great idea is usually an ordinary idea given the chance to grow. On paper, Google could have sprung from a very ordinary idea: ‘a search engine that works well and quickly’. Facebook from ‘A site where friends can communicate with each other’. These probably sound like the kind of ideas you could have without much trouble, and which many people probably had the same ideas even before Google and Facebook existed. The ideas themselves can be boring, simple, ordinary – it’s what you do with them that matters. With the right execution, a simple idea can evolve into something great.
6. Ignore everyone
Well-known TV writer Jane Espenson (Battlestar Gallactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) told an audience at a recent conference in Australia: “Don’t write for an audience. Write what you want to see.”
At first glance, the advice sounds slightly controversial – but let me explain it a little bit more. If we don’t create for ourselves, we’re inevitably creating for an imagined audience. We can’t be them, so we’re forced to make assumptions about what they want. And often these assumptions are wrong.
But if we create ideas that we’d like to see, TV shows or episodes that we would watch, stories we’d read, websites we’d visit, apps we’d use, businesses we’d frequent, we can never be wrong about our audience. Nor will you be wrong about the hundreds, thousands or millions of people who share similar interests to you.
7. Consume consciously
A well-known children’s writer once said that fairies are everywhere around us – we just never take the time to look for them. Though fairies don’t exist, ideas definitely do – but we often approach them in the same way. We read the newspaper, watch TV or scroll through our favorite blogs with a consumer mindset, not a creator mindset. We’re not looking for ideas or lessons we can learn – we’re consuming the content at a surface level. Once you start to look deeper, there’s so much that can be learned from the work of others. Start actively looking for ideas in your favorite TV shows, books, blogs and magazines and you might be surprised at what you find.
8. Never lose a single idea
The one constant rule of having ideas is that the idea is always accompanied by the thought that you will definitely remember it. How many great ideas have you forgotten? Well, you probably don’t know – that’s the point of forgetting. You’ll often hear the advice to carry a notebook with you everywhere. I don’t actually agree that this is the most important thing and, besides, notebooks can be heavy. Instead, carry a pen with you everywhere, and there’s always something around to serve as a note-taking surface in a pinch (a business card, a napkin, your palm, and so on).
Try out one – or all – of these 8 techniques and you’re bound to have brilliant ideas!
How do you come up with great ideas? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.
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Thanks for sharing these unconventional tips here Skellie and for hosting them Scott. I love the bold recommendation of starting with opposites. It’s true that if you focus to hard on coming up with new, amazing ideas you sometimes hit a wall. Often when I just let go and go for a walk or surf instead something pops up unexpectedly. Just as long as it doesn’t wake me in the middle of the night:)
Hi Annabel,
That’s so true – inspiration often strikes when we least expect it… and usually not during the times that we set aside to ‘get creative’.
I once read that Paul McCartney kept an old-style tape recorder beside his bed so he could record the tunes he composed in his dreams. Imagine if he forgot those classics the next day!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Fairies don’t exist? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Hi Teresa,
Sorry to hit you with this revelation! ;-)
What a great list of idea generation methods. I especially like opposites, variation and context. I think I’ve unconsciously used those at times, but I’m going to be more on purpose about it now.
One of my best idea generators is to find a way to go blank. Meditation, walking on the beach with my dog, taking a relaxing bath—these seem to clean the slate and allow fun ideas to spring up with no effort at all. I’m also ultra aware of my surroundings and I’ve trained myself to see ideas in daily happenings.
And I totally agree with Jane Espenson, who’s a great writer, about writing for yourself!
Hi Ande,
It certainly is a valuable skill to be able to switch your mind off and just allow your creativity free rein. You probably find that this technique works best when you don’t judge or ‘edit’ your ideas. Save the good idea/ bad idea criticism for later… just let the ideas flow. A blank mind is the perfect canvas for splashing on colorful ideas.
Many thanks for sharing some of the tips that help you.
Hi Skellie,
Having great ideas is always useful in life. So many things around us that we take for granted are the result of great ideas . I love the 8 methods you have put together to get great ideas and here are some of the ideas that crossed my mind while reading them.
6. Ignore Everyone
This is very important. I have found that when I try to please others, I end up pleasing no one. But when I write for myself or do something purely because I enjoy it, it becomes a winning idea. As you rightly point out, we cannot please everyone. It therefore makes more sense to please ourselves with an idea that we are excited about and others of like minds will naturally flock to us like bees to honey. We are not as unique as we would like to think and with social media today, we are sure to find people who will appreciate the ideas we have if we create for ourselves first.
7. Consume Consciously
I agree with you here. When we read things our minds are passive. We do no bother to think about what we read. But if we were to put a little more effort into our reading it would make a big difference. We could consider how something came to be, what would be the likely impact of an event and so on. For example, the Sendai earthquake and tsunami is an ongoing event. What we could ask ourselves instead of passively reading the news is what we could learn from it. How could we help. What will be the consequences and how we should manage in the days to come. All these questions train our minds to generate ideas more naturally in the long run.
Thank you Skellie for writing this article and thank you Scott for sharing it! :)
Irving the Vizier
Hi Irving,
As you say, people naturally gather round others who share the same values and viewpoints as themselves. When we come up with an idea and create something that appeals to our own interests, there will almost certainly be an audience willing to share in it.
The technique of consuming more consciously is one I’m going to work on. I’m sure many ideas have slipped out of my imagination simply because I’ve not stopped to pay more attention. With so much information bombarding us, it’s so easy just to sleepwalk through it all, instead of actively analyzing it. Asking questions throughout is a great way to throw up potential ideas.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave your helpful comment.
Hi Skellie and Scott,
Like Annabel, I also tend to get many of my best ideas when I’m out walking or at the beach – and when I’m doing housework or driving. Those times when I’m relaxed and my brain is “switched off”!
Somthing I think is important too is having a belief in your own ability to do something with the ideas you have. You’re a lot less likely to value those ideas you have by writing them down, taking time to develop them, or sharing them with others, if you don’t have the confidence that you could actually make those ideas happen.
I’m putting a lot more importance on my ideas this year, as I’m focusing on learning to take action on the worthwhile ideas. Will use Skellie’s tips to help generate, capture and develop those ideas. Would also love to read tips from either of you on the next step: transforming ideas into action!
Hi Brigid,
I’m sure we could all benefit from letting our brains ‘switch off’ from the bustle of busyness. Creativity is usually drowned out in the noise of our hectic lives.
You make a very good point about having the confidence that our ideas can be turned into reality. Even the simplest ideas can become great if we believe in them enough to develop their potential. Once we get into the regular habit of idea generation then realization, the whole process becomes much easier.
Thank you for the suggestion on a future article – it’s certainly a fascinating topic to follow up.
These are very interesting tips. I can’t say that I’d given the process of coming up with ideas much thought, but it does make sense to look at techniques to make it better.
I find that ideas come to me in a flash and usually I don’t let them take shape. I’ve probably lost many great ideas that way!
Hi Andrew,
I’m sure everyone has lost brilliant ideas because we rejected them too quickly. The trick is to let that ‘flash of inspiration’ develop and to allow time for it to be questioned and adapted – even more reason to jot down the idea before it vanishes.
I appreciate you joining in the discussion.
Hi,
I like the thinking behind the notion that there are no new ideas only new contexts. It’s helpful because we all have our own unique experiences which we bring to creativity. I guess if we learn how to transplant an existing idea into our experience, we can see it through a totally diferent lens.
Definitely a method I’m going to try out more.
Hi Leigh,
We all have a unique perspective on the world and it’s great when we tap into this. I think transplanting an idea into other situations is something which can really work. Many ideas translate well when moved into new areas.
Thank you for leaving your comment.
Hi Scott!
This is my first time here, but I am loving your blog from what I see so far!
I tend to not have much trouble with ideas so far! My fingers have a difficult time keeping up with my brain!
These are some great tips however, to help you focus and get clarification.
I do want to say something about the capturing of ideas. I know that David Allen of Getting Things Done swears by a capturing device whether it is a notebook or digital. I agree that there are usually things available to write ideas on, but I am bad about losing random scraps of paper. I find that it works best for me to keep my ideas digitally. Most times I will email myself post ideas, with that as the subhject line. Many times though, I will hear a quote or an idea and send it as well, and save for later inspiration.
Thanks for the post!
Bernice
Hi Bernice,
Thank you for the kind words – it’s great to welcome you here!
You seem to have come up with lots of interesting ways to generate and keep track of your ideas. It’s certainly a good habit to stockpile a supply of rough ideas which you can turn to. The worst feeling is racking your brains for an idea that just won’t appear.
Thank you for these tips, they are very helpful. I’ve been catching up on my tweets tonight and have read a couple of posts from your site – really interesting.. thanks for sharing!
I find my best ideas come when I stop trying to think of a creative idea and engage in something compeletly different – go for a run, read a magazine I wouldn’t typically read, etc. Getting enough sleep and eating well also helps contribute to a natural flow of good ideas.
Keep writing – I want to keep reading!
Cheers,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
That ‘eureka’ moment when you have a great idea can certainly happen when you least expect it. Also, stress and pressure are the worst conditions for coming up with ideas, so it kills our creativity when we feel like this. As you suggest, being well fed and rested puts our body in better health – and gives fertile ground to encourage ideas.
Thank you for dropping by with your comment.
Good article, Skellie, to share on Scott’s blog.
In the blogging world at least, I believe that the best bloggers are those that come up with the most ideas.
Many, many people can write well. But the stars are machines at idea creation.
Another thing to think about it is looking at an idea that has been established and making it more accessible and more simple. People generally prefer simplicity over complexity.
Hence, compare the clutter of yahoo search engine and the clarity of google search. And we all know what search engine is most widely used.
Hi Bamboo Forest,
It’s a very useful skill to be able to boil down a topic or idea to its basic level. It’s said that the best ideas are often the simplest ones. People look for the quickest, easiest and least complex solutions to their problems. If your idea fits in with these needs, you’re on to a winner.
I’m grateful to you for joining in the discussion.
Wow! What a thought provoking article! I had never even considered many of the ideas listed. I’m glad I read them, and am already using some of them in my daily life (which seems to becoming less stressed by the day, thanks to vivid ways!)
Hi Julie,
I’m glad you’re trying out some of these techniques already – I hope they’re helping you come up with great ideas!
Thank you for becoming part of the Vivid Ways community.
I couldn’t agree more about always carrying a pen and paper. As a writer and diaryist, I am never without my moleskine reporters diary and pen. No one really knows when a moment of inspiration will materialise. Also-keep your notebook beside your bed. Many inspired ideas happen when the body is completely relaxed. Only last night I was dropping off to sleep, and thought of a gag that made me laugh out loud. If I hadn’t made a note of it, it would probably have been forgotten and lost forever.
Hi Bea,
Letting your mind wander does seem to produce a free flow of ideas, doesn’t it? And capturing them is half the battle, so we can work on developing them later on.
Many thanks for sharing your own tips here.
Until recently, I worked in the TV industry. One job I had was thinking up ideas for new programmes – really difficult under pressure and whilst sitting in an office. One thing we used to try was crashing two old ideas together. So what would happen if you mixed the Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations with Big Brother? Sometimes it worked! Sometimes it didn’t. Sometimes we just had a good laugh along the way!
Hi Jen,
Having a job in the creative industries means idea-generation is a constant ‘must have’ skill. I like the technique of combining old ideas into new ones. The combinations could become so much fun … and totally far out!
Thank you for sharing your tip with us.
I love all this advice! Looking at this both in terms of being a blogger and from the perspective of narrative creative writing, these are a great set of tools. I am going to share these with the people in my writing group as we are constantly looking for ways to “spark” ideas for stories.
I definitely agree with keeping a notebook handy — I have a notebook I carry with me everywhere to jot down words, phrases, etc. And I keep an Excel spreadsheet for my freelance jobs where I keep a running list of article ideas. Then when I sit down to work I can see which of my list gets my brain going!
Thanks for the article!
Hi Becca,
I hope the tips trigger some great ideas for your writing group … many imaginations are better than one! Keeping a swipe file of potential ideas is a good way to make sure you never again let an idea slip away. The key thing is to get into the habit of using your source of ideas.
Many thanks for stopping by with your comment.
Hi Skellie and Scott
Always a pleasure to read one of Skellie’s well crafted articles… great ideas for generating new ideas, thanks!
I’m in the midst of writing a book and one of the things that has really been helping me with ideas is…
before I go to sleep I give myself the intention of having a dream that will ‘help point the way’. On a few occasions dreams have delivered… revealing to me a particular concept to include in the book, and different metaphors that flesh out a concept in the book that I am wanting to make clear.
Hi Cathy,
That’s a very interesting technique- appealing directly to your subconscious to come up with ideas. I can see why this would work. After all, that’s where our imagination is at its most powerful. I’m sure some of my best ideas have come while I’ve been asleep … if only I could’ve remembered them on waking!
Many thanks for sharing a technique that works for you.
Hi Scott
Very pleased to say that I’ve since put into practice some of Skellie’s suggestions and they delivered inspiring results!
I went for a walk at the beachfront while focusing on #2 Create Variations, and was inspired by an idea to incorporate in the ending of my book. Then, with that idea I realized that The Opposite (#1 principle) really speaks to a large portion of my target market!
Thanks again for a great article.
Hi Cathy,
It’s inspiring in itself to hear how you’ve been inspired by the article – and to learn of your results.
Excellent articles that’s truly worth the time reading. Tips 6 and 7 are my favorite. Not so many of us “Consciously Consume” the things we encounter and oftentimes, fabulous ideas lie hidden in the simplest things, waiting to be noticed.
Ignoring people is also a great tip if you really have a good feeling about something. But of course, it does not mean completely not paying attention to other people’s opinions. I think it’s a matter of weighing things careful before you decide to go with your gut feeling. Thank you for these fresh, breathtaking ideas:)
Hi Melanie,
It’s worth making the effort to step back and consciously consume, rather than let experiences float by unprocessed. I’ve got a lot of faith in our own gut instinct as a guide to whether an idea is right for us to pursue – these ideas just ‘feel right’ … and seldom vanish.
Thank you for leaving your kind words.
Hi scott,
Wow ! A wonderful article. Inspires me a lot to think different and be creative. Since i am a 3D Artist its very helpful to me. I have lot of creative ideas and will try to implement in different angels and variations.
Hi Ashok,
Having creative ideas is a fantastic skill to have in the first place. It’s always good to discover different ways you can keep generating even more valuable ideas.
Thank you for taking the time to share how you’re going to apply the tips in your work.