Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

June 26, 2007

Questions to Get Closer to You: Question 5

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:05 am

Get Closer to You

This is a series of questions, I don’t know how many. They are the ones I ask when I help folks get closer to their personal identity.

What are you doing when you have your best ideas?

I’ll answer first to get things started.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

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Questions to Get Closer to You: Question 3
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67 Comments to “Questions to Get Closer to You: Question 5”

  1. June 26th, 2007 at 7:12 am
    ME Strauss said

    A good friend where I used to work, often told other folks, if you want Liz’s best ideas take her for a walk around the building. It’s the movement.

    I can be dancing or pacing, or sitting in my chair swaying. I might have my headphones blaring and be broadly directing the music. My energy, my feelings, the kinesthetic are all tied into my unconscious channel. So when I do dance, walk, direct music, stretch, bend, make the bed, unpack a suitcase, I tune in and open the valve that releases my creativity. :)

  2. June 26th, 2007 at 7:26 am
    Karin H. said

    Hi Liz

    You always ask us to keep it nice, but bit of tongue-in-cheek is allowed I hope to describe what I’m doing when I have my best ideas? More where I am for that matter that gets in the way now ;-)
    That little room? Number 100? Where can I powder my nose room?

    You get the idea. Away from disturbances, away from demands on time, eyes and ears. There’s when my thoughts get the chance to focus - I don’t focus them, they focus themselves and they find combinations I hadn’t thoughts of, hadn’t seen, hadn’t realised.

    Hope I kept it nice enough ;-)

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  3. June 26th, 2007 at 7:41 am
    Steve Roesler said

    This is an easy one, Liz.

    1. I’m alone, online, synthesizing what I read in my favorite blogs

    2. Or I’m in a meeting with people, listening to their struggles about something and the idea takes form as a result of the conversations.

    I don’t think I’ve had a completely original idea in my entire life. But the thoughts of others have always prompted a new way to present something so that it might finally be seen or heard for the first time.

    Hmm. I’m a funnel.

    Film at 11.

    Keep writing…

  4. June 26th, 2007 at 7:44 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    So you are in the queen’s private chambers doing the queen’s royal business. That’s an important time for thinking. I’m guessing only a library gets more thinking, yet a fewer reach of people. :)

  5. June 26th, 2007 at 7:46 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Steve,
    Careful . . . it’s easier than it looks, but harder than it appears. :)

    What I hear you saying is that you are a problem solver. That you get ideas when you need one . . . at that moment. :)

  6. June 26th, 2007 at 7:47 am
    Karin H. said

    ;-)

    in the queen’s private chambers doing the queen’s royal business

    And I’m supposed to live in the UK but couldn’t come up with that description!

    Karin H.

  7. June 26th, 2007 at 7:47 am
    ME Strauss said

    Karin,
    You never met my mother. :)

  8. June 26th, 2007 at 7:48 am
    pelf said

    Taking care of the terrapins. I’d either be feeding them, or changing water in their large concrete tanks, or scrubbing the insides of the tanks.

    I think a lot when I’m alone. I form sentences in my head even when I’m in the shower.

    But I do not necessarily put these ideas into words :)

  9. June 26th, 2007 at 7:55 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Pelf,
    Ah getting away into nature refreshes our thinking. I really believe that. It gets us out of out heads and into the moment. :)

  10. June 26th, 2007 at 8:11 am
    Scott said

    Love the question.

    I usually have good ideas when I’ve spent hours fruitlessly trying to think of something, then give up and switch on the tv. As soon as I stop trying, the ideas just rush in.

  11. June 26th, 2007 at 8:13 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Scott!
    Ah the famous gestalt . . .

    Don’t push the river, the river pushes itself.

    Yep, I know that one. :)

  12. June 26th, 2007 at 8:44 am
    karen said

    I usually have great ideas when I am reading a book.

    Most of the things I share in my blog were all from things mentioned in books and my personal experiences

    Cheers!

  13. June 26th, 2007 at 8:56 am
    Lewis Green said

    Liz,

    My best ideas come when I am relaxed or having fun. That may mean when I am sleeping, sailing, watching a ball games, enjoying friends and family. Therefore, I keep a notepad next to my bed and always carry one with me.

  14. June 26th, 2007 at 8:56 am
    Lewis Green said

    Liz,

    My best ideas come when I am relaxed or having fun. That may mean when I am sleeping, sailing, watching a ball game, or enjoying friends and family. Therefore, I keep a notepad next to my bed and always carry one with me.

  15. June 26th, 2007 at 8:56 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Karen!
    Books get tme thinking too, but then I start reading and forget what I was thinking or I stop reading and forget what I was thinking. :)

  16. June 26th, 2007 at 8:58 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Lewis,
    Many writers and thinkers find their experience to be the same as yours. Maybe that’s why there are so many pad of paper. :)

  17. June 26th, 2007 at 9:17 am
    Alina Popescu said

    Hi Liz!

    Great ideas sometimes hit me due to an external factor: a sound, a smell, someone’s words or reactions making me think of a good story. Other times, I get my ideas while listening to music, walking around, or just reading related materials.

  18. June 26th, 2007 at 9:49 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Alina!
    If I stop to listen to the silence, then I get really involved in pictures and music in the same way.

  19. June 26th, 2007 at 10:11 am
    Nic Darling said

    My best ideas tend to come when I am looking for the solution to an entirely different problem. I will give up attempting to think of a great article idea only to have one surface as I am struggling to find the perfect color for a graphic.

    It is as if, having given up searching my apartment for my lost keys, I go outside to plant a tree and dig the missing set of keys out of the earth.

    Ideas always seem like a pleasant, if somewhat distracting, surprise.

  20. June 26th, 2007 at 10:13 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Nic!
    Ideas are a surprise, because they are a like spoiled children who only show up when we don’t demand that they come. :)

  21. June 26th, 2007 at 10:30 am
    Catherine Carey said

    I agree with Nic Darling. While digging a compost hole I found a ring lost for a year or more. Found my trowel behind the garlic chives at my City Farms plot. Ideas come while I’m digging and weeding mostly.

    Like Liz, walking unleashes good ideas. However, I put knotty problems in the back of my head and forget about them for a while. Often while walking, digging or weeding a few days later, something comes to me.

  22. June 26th, 2007 at 10:45 am
    Nic Darling said

    That ring story is a good one. It illustrates the point exactly, and it seems it actually happened.

    One person’s metaphor is another’s reality.

  23. June 26th, 2007 at 10:59 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Catherine!
    I often “park” a thought at the back of my head when there’s a problem to solve and go on with a meeting or a conversation . . . a while later when I fetch it back, an answer comes with it. :)

    I love the way the brain works for us!

  24. June 26th, 2007 at 11:00 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Nic,
    The ring thing happened to me walking across the college quad — lost in fall found to spring. Looked down there it was. :)

  25. June 26th, 2007 at 11:27 am
    Robert Hruzek said

    It could be lots of places for me, but one thing I’ll guarantee - I WON’T have a way to record it! :-(

  26. June 26th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    Colette Ellis said

    Hi Liz,
    Great question — I get inspired by music (either mellow when I need to relax or “hard core” when I need to get pumped). Stepping away from the computer also works — keep CNBC on in background for random biz inspirations. I’m looking forward to meeting you at BlogHer ‘07 in Chicago!

    Regards, Colette
    InStep Consulting LLC - Discover Your Competent Advantage (TM)

  27. June 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
    Mike said

    Liz,

    Semi-related to Bob’s response, it seems to happen in one of two ways for me. In the first, I’m working in a group on some problem and blurt out the answer - literally. Often it consists of several ideas strung together logically in ways I hadn’t thought of before. If no one writes it down as I say it, I often can’t reproduce it completely. Gaah!

    The second way usually happens just AFTER a session of concentrated work on a problem. A typical example is having to pick up a child from dance. I’ll get in the car, start driving and up pops the solution! That’s why I keep a little notebook in the car now…;-)

    Mike

  28. June 26th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
    April Groves said

    Liz - I think like Karin - sort of…my best ideas always happen in the shower…but my brain stays so busy (read cluttered) that if I don’t write them down, they are gone.

  29. June 26th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Robert!
    I know the frustration of getting a great idea and having to think about it all the way home. :)

  30. June 26th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
    Ellen Weber said

    Great question - as always Liz - and it triggers the ol’ dendrites!

    Best ideas come to me when primed with the kind of questions you ask! I’ll blog more on this one but it was fun to read others’ sparks here.

  31. June 26th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    Isn’t it amazing how ideas are almost everywhere around us? They just pop up when we quit trying to force them. :)

  32. June 26th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi April!
    In publishing I used to say the new information came in the front and pushed the old out the back. :)

  33. June 26th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Collete!
    Nice to meet you! Sorry you got stuck in moderation. We’ll be on the same speaking gig at BlogHer won’t we?

    Welcome to the conversation!

    Yeah, music is certain one way that I get ideas, especially when I need something to inspire my writing. :)

    Thanks for coming. :)

  34. June 26th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Ellen!
    I always feel like I’ve sparked a master when I manage to send you off with an idea. :). :)

  35. June 26th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
    Brad Shorr said

    Excellent question. My best ideas come when I’m falling asleep, waking up, or taking a long walk. It’s hard for me to be creative while I’m working–too much pressure.

  36. June 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Brad!
    Falling asleep and waking up — that’s when we’re closest to our unconscious. Makes total sense that ideas would sneak out then. :)

  37. June 26th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
    Mike said

    Bicycling. And reading blogs!

  38. June 26th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
    Char said

    Good afternoon Liz! My best ideas usually arrive around 3 am, or in the shower, or while waiting in a doctor/dentist office. I just never know!

  39. June 26th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
    Joanna Young said

    Hi Liz, another great question, thanks!

    My best ideas come when I’m travelling on the bus. I think it’s because I can’t do anything else, am relaxed waiting to get to my destination and my mind starts to drift… just like floating downstream.

    Then kerpow! An idea or new project or something that needs to be written just pops into my head.

    I always carry pen and paper so try and jot it down but get travel sick so have to try and write without looking at the words!

    Joanna

  40. June 26th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    It’s dangerous to be bicyclimg while reading blogs! :)

  41. June 26th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Char!
    It may just be a change of scenery has something to do with it . . . or a change of noise level. :)

  42. June 26th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joanna,
    It sounds like what you do while sitting on that bus has a LOT to do with shy you get great ideas. Relaing yourself into an almost meditative space is a great use of time for making ideas fly. I can just picture you writing it in your mind while your hand is pushing a pen across some paper. :)

  43. June 26th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz,

    I’m with Karin; I’m thinking I should take more showers! In fact, a brilliant idea for my Living Room Chats washed upon this me this morning. Stay tuned!

  44. June 26th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Glenda!
    Yea! Great ideas are famous for appearing in the shower.

  45. June 26th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
    Solo Business Marketing said

    Showering is also the time when my best ideas are formed. Otherwise, my best ideas are formed when I’m:

    1. Traveling to New York by bus.
    2. Eating out (preferably lunch) at a restaurant.

    I’m a morning person, so no great ideas are formed in the afternoon or evening. My brain begins its shutdown at 1:49 pm.

    Great question, Liz.

    Shirley

  46. June 26th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Shirley!
    Riding in a car or bus without someone to talk to does seem to get the brain going, doesn’t it?

    Just having space around us where we can spread out our thoughts without the usual view is a great thing too. Food helps. :)

    2pm sounds like a great time for a nap or phone call :)

  47. June 26th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
    gp said

    i’ll keep it short and pithy
    1) when i’ve purposely gotten up to walk away from the conondrum in question and just free thinking and of course
    2) on equine back!

    gp in montana

  48. June 26th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
    ME Strauss said

    HI GP!
    That walking away thing has its values, especially the walking part. :)

    I’m not sure I could pull off the equine session. I’m more of the think in the garden one. Can’t fall if I’m already on the ground. :)

  49. June 27th, 2007 at 6:26 am
    Roy Jacobsen said

    I’ve been following Julia Cameron’s advice and making myself write three pages in my journal every morning. Plenty of ideas bubble to the surface then.

    I’ve also said more than once that I need a waterproof notebook to keep in the shower, because that seems to be a fruitful thinking place for me.

    Walking and talking, or sitting at a meal, with my wife and kids. That’s where the really crazy ideas come out.

  50. June 27th, 2007 at 6:32 am
    ME Strauss said

    Roy!
    I’m thinking I might start something like that too. It’s a great way to make space for ourselves as well as to make a place for our ideas. Getting away from the computer offers our brains an entirely different interface with with to open up.

    It’s so great to see you! Just last night I told someone you were the person she should call. Blogger synchronicity finds you here today. :)

  51. June 27th, 2007 at 11:05 am
    Chris Cree said

    For me it’s simple. My best ideas come to me in the shower. I have no idea why.

  52. June 27th, 2007 at 11:08 am
    Nic Darling said

    Hi Liz,

    I just posted a short article on marketingneophyte.com inspired, in part, by your question and the answers it generated. It poses a couple of questions toward the end to which I would love to hear the responses of you or any of those that commented here. It isn’t a spectacular post but I hope you have a moment to stop in.

  53. June 27th, 2007 at 11:25 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Chris!
    Maybe ideas live in the pipes . . . :) j/k

  54. June 27th, 2007 at 11:26 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Nic!
    That’s so cool that this could be an idea generator. I’ll be over to take a look as soon as I can. :)

  55. June 27th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
    Roy Jacobsen said

    One more thing:
    I’ve been trying that whole “expectant attitude” thing. I expect that great ideas will show up. I think that a big part of the trick here is that it puts you into a frame of mind, it helps set your mental filters to be open to that thing you’re expecting.

    It’s like how when you just get a new car, and suddenly, you see that model of car everywhere you go. It didn’t change the number of them driving around, but your mental filters are now open to seeing them.

    It’s great to be here. Life has been crazy-busy, but altogether good. I am the luckiest guy I know. Thanks for spreading my name around!

  56. June 27th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Roy!
    That expectant thing. I never realized how that must affect me. I’ve always thought of myself as someone who gets ideas easily . . . and I do. :)

    Lovely to have you here, lucky guy. :)

  57. July 6th, 2007 at 3:09 am
    Whoa said

    Usually when i’m either driving (at a traffic jam) or about to get some sleep… But mostly when i’m at the shower (like Chris).

    Somehow, the lack of sound (to some point) with some solitude in my thoughts, gets the solutions out of my brain!

  58. July 6th, 2007 at 5:49 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Whoa!
    Silence is a great catalyst for reflection. Reflection opens our unconscious to allows access to our ideas. Witin the silence our left brain can quiet allowing us to use our right brain to see pattrns and to reconize context.

    Many people get ideas in the shower. :)

  59. July 11th, 2007 at 8:32 am
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  60. December 28th, 2007 at 11:02 am
    Todd Jordan said

    I have my best ideas at night, when trying to get to sleep, or in the car on the way to work, or when I’m engaged in communication.

  61. December 28th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Todd!
    I like the night sky, especially. The stars inspire me.

  62. December 29th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
    isabella mori said

    oh, having ideas is not a problem for me. they are everywhere! in the shower, while going for a walk, when reading something, when writing, in bed, while doing the dishes, in an interesting conversation … i think i’d need to ask, when do i NOT have ideas? (i think all ideas are good, that’s what my painter father taught me). i don’t have ideas when i’m stressed and bored and in the company of people who i don’t connect well with.

    (interesting how this is a question that has more answers than the others i’ve done so far)

  63. December 30th, 2007 at 5:01 am
    Sarah said

    After I’ve trained in the gym or done Yoga at home. It’s like my mind is able to clear of eveything that is not important and then just fills with ideas that I am actually now able to make sense of.

    The other one is reading whether it is blogs, books, newspapers, etc. But I need to have trained on a regular basis to keep my mind free and open.

  64. December 30th, 2007 at 10:07 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sarah,
    I know what you mean. If we don’t use our bodies in some way, we end up thinking too much inside our heads. :)

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