about being out of ideas.
Oh yeah, billions of us log on to the web everyday, but I only know a few and the few I know are a lot like me. If I’m not careful I find that everywhere I go I hear people saying the same things. Funny, it’s easy when everything is too the same to start comparing things. That’s also when I start to feel out … out of gas, out of sync, out of ideas.
Yet, I think the problem may be that I’m in — not out enough.
A person, a product or a business has to stand out to perform.
When I’m tired of feeling out of gas, out of sync, out of ideas. I get out of that routine, out of my way, out the group and scene I’ve been and suddenly I discover I’m into all sorts of outstanding new things.
Sometimes the fastest way to move my mind is to move my feet off the usual path away from the usual group I’m in.
Then new energy, new ideas, and a new view surrounds me everywhere I am.
Know what I mean?
I recently left big corp job and now immersed in social media learnings before pulling together a new consulting practice. Enjoyed your words. Am usually not at a loss for words – but getting blog going has been a challenge. Lisa
Yes! I know exactly what you mean.
In real life I’ll go for a walk, vacuum the floor, push the kids on the swings. My mind will relax and start working again.
Online I’ll go read a new blog or talk to someone I don’t usually talk to on Twitter or in a forum.
I’ll let the dog decide where we are going. The walk is usually long, random, occasionally hurried (rabbits, don’t ya know). The mind has no choice but to wander and notice a few new things.
Energy and ideas are interesting…
For me, just going through the motions of creativity starts the wheels. There are days I don’t feel the sparkle of a ‘great’ (or even interesting) blog post until I begin writing a so-so one.
Sometimes the sparkle comes with the editing. The most mundane idea can birth some pretty fizzy stuff…
Tracy
You? Out of ideas? Somehow I can’t imagine that. 😉
Hi Lisa,
Leaving a role that was so defining had to shake your energy as well as your thinking. Let me know if I can help. That’s what I do. 🙂
Jendi!
Welcome!
Everything you mention is a great strategy for getting out of our heads and into action that will free up our ideas again. Sometimes the best way to have ideas is to stop NOT having them. heh heh 🙂
Hi Fred!
Those rabbits are a great incentive to get energy and the mind off what was clogging up a brain. I like that your dog knows where to go. Dogs are wise that way. 🙂
Hi Tracy,
I find that some of my most enjoyable ideas lately are offline and you know, I’m not minding that at all. I figure it’s just fuel for when I come back to tell everyone about them. yeah. 🙂
Oh Amy,
That’s cause I never run out of ideas when I’m talking to you!
I’ve just recently been listening to an audio book, Stephen King’s “On Writing”. It’s a combination of memoir on how he became a writer and his advice on writing.
In it he describes how he came up with the idea for “Carrie”. He had been thinking a lot about telekinesis, the supposed ability to move things with your mind alone, and one day tripped across an article about how some scientists believed that psychic power is strongest in early adolescence. Bam! The idea for Carrie popped into his head almost in it’s entirety.
The point being the more we expose ourselves to the new and different, the more interesting ideas we form. Now you come along and say much the same thing. Looks like I’m gonna have to work on expanding my borders a bit. 🙂
Yeah, Dave,
The thing about new ideas is remembering to let them happen. We don’t need to look for them really they’re all around us.
Liz, I LOVE your comment back (#7) and “whoopeed” my way to the kitchen to share with my husband.
You said — the best way to have ideas is to stop NOT having them.
Love that……….. will take that thought with me and go work out. 🙂
I do a ‘Thinking Walk’ or take a shower.
I don’t know why it works – it just does. I’d like to turn my Thinking Walk method into a something I could share with others – for free.
I have this amazing idea for creativity for non-arty farty people and I’d like to get it out of my head and out there for everyone to benefit from.
Liz,
Good reminder. I will be doing some real paper book reading, writing and getting outside with friends this weekend. Look forward to new ideas!
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Barb!
It’s a fact out bodies a valve called ARS that stops stimuli from reaching our brains. Too much stimuli would make unable to function, but too little keeps the ideas from coming in. That’s why when we walk, shower, move boxes and such our best ideas come … we’re unconsciously not blocking that stimuli like when we’re trying to think things up.
Hi Amanda,
Get that idea out and share it. It will grow if you do. I guarantee it.
Liz
Hey Tim,
I’ve got a plentitude of ideas right now. I’m having to use every minute and all of my energy to keep up with them. Thanks!!
Wow, Liz,
I didn’t know about ARS. That’s fascinating. Where did you find out about that? I wonder if there is a connection to this and ADD. Hmmmm.
Dave,
The ARS — I think I’ve got that right — is a valve at the base of the brain. I’ve been thinking I should revisit that and start writing about ideas again. 🙂