8 suggestions on how to keep ideas flowing

On one too many occasions we might feel we are stuck and either can’t find the solution to a problem or in my case with this blog don’t know where to start when creating a new blog post. On some ocassions it is difficult to keep the ideas flowing.

One of the main reasons I can’t find how to start a project or a post is because I have to many ideas in my head and can’t pick one.

So these are the 8 ways I get out of not being productive and into a productive state.

I Ask a Question or start conversation of current events that might be of interest to me and the people I respect. Most times this sparks ideas that I later jot down. Just by sitting with @lucymfel and talking about regular things she usually feeds me information and ideas that I later use in many of my blog posts and projects.

By collaborating in many efforts online and offline I am exposed to many great people. I am part of 501 Mission Place and Kitchen Table Companies (Affiliate Link) in which people with similar interests end up sharing ideas and current experiences. Everyone collaborating in these groups is there to learn and help. There are many communities which have a common interest with you similar to 501 Mission Place and Kitchen Table Companies. These groups can spark new ideas and solve some of your business or personal issues while you make new contacts and friends.

Get Out of the house, take a drive or a walk through a nice scenic route. When I am stuck on something I usually run into a possible solution by leaving the house.

Concentrate on your goals and remove distractions. Go to a place where people can’t interrupt you. Turn off twitter, facebook, and any other applications or devices that might distract you. Keep a list of your goals close or even simpler weekly tasks and pick one to execute.

Connect with everything around you. I am constantly looking for things I can take a photo of or use for as a reference.. Once you get into the adequate mind frame ideas will be popping out of where you least expect it.

Go into your ideas archive. I have notes, digital files, and ideas stored in many forms so when I run out of them. I can go into them and choose an idea and start creating.

Reach out and help someone? Take a look at your twitter stream, type in a twitter search the words “I need help”. You might be able to help someone and that might spark a few ideas. I have found great ideas from helping out people online. By helping out, you also get to meet great people who will be more than happy with you because you reached out to them.

I am sure I missed many other ways of approaching the process but I leave that to you guys.

How do you make sure you keep your ideas flowing?

Posted in Featured, Professional Development

5 Comments

Prometeo on March 9, 2011 at 9:15 pm

I see everything around me as an inspiration. I don’t try to push the idea gathering process but rather let everything be a source. To do that I try to see everyone around me as a teacher. Some ideas as you have pointed out come from conversations with my wife, family and friends. that is because with people you trust the sentimental bond tends to create a spark that generates ideas for sharing.

Raul Colon on March 9, 2011 at 8:34 pm

I have to agree and could have not said it better people that are close to us spark awesome ideas.

Suzanne Vara on March 12, 2011 at 5:55 am

Raul

Great list here that is very helpful to read through and think about ways to get out of the rut. It is starting to be warm here and it is amazing how many people are out and about walking or at the park on nice days. The inspiration for finding posts just seeing other people is sensational. I know that 50’s is not cold but to us here (and you too) it is so cold and we hibernate. The first days where the temps are sustained in the 70’s we emerge and driving is different as seems like more people are out and about.

There is so much out there to see that provides that inspiration. You will get a lot looking at your beautiful lil girl. I know I get so much from Andrew.

PS I love the look of the blog. I think it every time I visit.

Otir on May 21, 2011 at 8:37 pm

I like this, thank you for bringing it up again. I find that the suggestions you gave to keep ideas flowing, are actually as valid to keep the flow of ideas in gear too! Because I more than often face the opposite problem: I can’t stop ideas from surfacing, and it can become also cumbersome and crippling, when ideas flow constantly.

So, yes to starting the conversation, that will give a sense of direction (objectives) – yes to collaborating, that will give a sense of responsibility and engagement – yes to getting out of the house, that will slow down the mental pace and keep the body healthier, ready to harness the ideas – yes to concentrating on the goals, this one is self-explanatory anyway! – yes for connecting with things around, that brings back to reality of the here-and-now – yes to going back into the storage of those ideas, that didn’t always got exploited earlier, the treasure is infinite, also too often forgotten! – and yes to reaching out and helping someone, or, will I add, asking for help when the flow gets out of hand!

Thank you very much for this very rich blogpost!

Raul Colon on May 21, 2011 at 9:00 pm

Otir,

I run into the same situation I have a bigger problem trying to execute on them. I could not agree more once you get the ideas flowing it becomes even more difficult to keep them at bay and choosing one.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Prometeo on March 9, 2011 at 9:15 pm

I see everything around me as an inspiration. I don’t try to push the idea gathering process but rather let everything be a source. To do that I try to see everyone around me as a teacher. Some ideas as you have pointed out come from conversations with my wife, family and friends. that is because with people you trust the sentimental bond tends to create a spark that generates ideas for sharing.
- Raul Colon on March 9, 2011 at 8:34 pm
  
  I have to agree and could have not said it better people that are close to us spark awesome ideas.
Suzanne Vara on March 12, 2011 at 5:55 am

Raul

Great list here that is very helpful to read through and think about ways to get out of the rut. It is starting to be warm here and it is amazing how many people are out and about walking or at the park on nice days. The inspiration for finding posts just seeing other people is sensational. I know that 50’s is not cold but to us here (and you too) it is so cold and we hibernate. The first days where the temps are sustained in the 70’s we emerge and driving is different as seems like more people are out and about.

There is so much out there to see that provides that inspiration. You will get a lot looking at your beautiful lil girl. I know I get so much from Andrew.

PS I love the look of the blog. I think it every time I visit.
Otir on May 21, 2011 at 8:37 pm

I like this, thank you for bringing it up again. I find that the suggestions you gave to keep ideas flowing, are actually as valid to keep the flow of ideas in gear too! Because I more than often face the opposite problem: I can’t stop ideas from surfacing, and it can become also cumbersome and crippling, when ideas flow constantly.

So, yes to starting the conversation, that will give a sense of direction (objectives) – yes to collaborating, that will give a sense of responsibility and engagement – yes to getting out of the house, that will slow down the mental pace and keep the body healthier, ready to harness the ideas – yes to concentrating on the goals, this one is self-explanatory anyway! – yes for connecting with things around, that brings back to reality of the here-and-now – yes to going back into the storage of those ideas, that didn’t always got exploited earlier, the treasure is infinite, also too often forgotten! – and yes to reaching out and helping someone, or, will I add, asking for help when the flow gets out of hand!

Thank you very much for this very rich blogpost!
- Raul Colon on May 21, 2011 at 9:00 pm
  
  Otir,
  
  I run into the same situation I have a bigger problem trying to execute on them. I could not agree more once you get the ideas flowing it becomes even more difficult to keep them at bay and choosing one.
  
  Thanks for stopping by and commenting!