5 Steps to the Best Idea You Have Ever Had
I love to get movie DVDs that have an additional disc of just special features! Last night I watched all the documentaries about Howard Hughes, from the DVD “The Aviator”. The special features almost always contain tidbits of this idea or that idea that went into making the film. So often these features are inspiring and are just one place to trigger ideas of my own.
But then I’m the kind of person that would rather dream of ideas than do nearly anything! I have been accused of thinking too much (as if that’s possible!) and not having my feet on the ground (which is where they had a point!). Now that I am older and slower of foot, my feet must touch the ground, giving me the chance to think carefully about the process of achieving solid ideas.
Here are 5 suggested steps to dreaming up the best idea you have ever had:
1) Go to your “thought-spot” for thinking!
Everyone has a best spot and best time for thinking clearly. For some it is in the shower (that’s mine!), and it could be anywhere at anytime! If you do not already know where your “thought-spot” is, then you must search it out! You will know it when you find it! As for the best timing, it might be a quiet time with no outside distractions of any kind, or whatever works for you!
2) Try “Free Association” and/or List Making!
You should use the method that works for you. Free Association means starting with writing down just one word, then the next one that comes to mind, then the next one, and so on. See if you can do this without editing at all, and without censoring the train of thought…just let it flow naturally! List making is similar, except that you start with 3 or 4 “topics”, and then under those headings, you make a list of ideas associated with that topic. Once again, it is best not to censor or edit and simply let it flow naturally.
3) R&R! But this does not mean “Rest and Relaxation”!
No, this is intensified “repeat & relax sessions”. See, the drawback to “forcing” thinking is that it can result in over-thinking, or in getting a thought block completely! So, the way around this is to push and then pull; I mean you push yourself to intense practice of steps 1 and 2 and doing what works for your personality type, and then you pull away and rest! Yes, often times sleeping on a thought is just the ticket for inspiration, or simply letting go of it for a while and doing something relaxing, returning to it later! This is flexibility. Often times this step is a must-do!
4) The “Narrows Bridge”.
In this step we narrow it down to size, or narrow down our list by your own process of elimination. It does not matter if you are not immediately inspired by your listing or word association exercise. What matters is that you keep practicing! Stay on the straight and narrow! In this step it might also be useful to use the theory of distraction, meaning that you interrupt your natural routine deliberately and put yourself in your “thought-spot” (when it makes sense to do so). The point is that you are now actively training yourself to implement a new discipline or habit of idea-generation.
5) The Paper Chase.
Informally record your progress or record it in some sort of media. Without a record of where you have been in your idea-generating, you will be less likely to know where you are headed.
Finally, repeat this process daily, as you would a physical exercise routine. Building ideas is a lot like building muscles: it takes repetition, discipline, and supportive nutritional thought!
Here’s to your wealth of ideas in the coming future! One great idea (and a lot of work) can make you the next Thomas Edison or Bill Gates!
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