1. Give yourself time to daydream. I find great ideas come when I’m doing something physical that requires little thought like running, working out on an exercise machine at the gym, gardening, etc. So unplug the iPod and let the thoughts swirl about in your brain.

2. Go someplace new. While going to the same vacation spot every year is comfortable and creates warm memories, going somewhere new can get new ideas pinging about.

3. Talk to people. Listen to people. I have come up with some great ideas during lectures, presentations or even just meeting and talking with someone new at a conference. Often just one word or phrase from someone else will spark a cascade of ideas related to some problem I’d been mulling for days.

I just love coming up with new ideas. I find myself delving into whole new areas and becoming quite passionate about them. The hard work comes when implementing the ideas. That’s when you have to roll up your sleeves and get to it. This is when the good ideas are sifted out from the less good. But it is also a stumbling point for many. Not only does it take effort to start something new (like a book, project or business), it also takes courage. Many new efforts fail. Even if yours fails, you deserve praise for having tried. And learned. If starting something new were easy, then more people would do it instead of opting out before they start. So don’t look down into the darkness of failure. Be Courageous! Be Passionate! Just Start!

Be Sociable, Share!

•