How do you get great ideas?

Question

Just curious about how others process their thoughts.

Answer 1

You have to practise using the right-side of your brain, the one responsible for creativity. One way I have done it is by brainstorming business ideas with my girlfriend, also exploring different activities that involve creativity such as cooking (experimenting with things, not just following pre-set recipes) and drawing.

I come up with some of my most creative ideas when I am laying down and relaxed. Others suggest meditation. Meditation is helpful because alot of times there is just so much on my mind that I can't think properly. You can't make connections between various things when you have a million things on your mind.

There is research showing that when you are in a relaxed frame of mind, you are more open to stimuli with which to make more connections and have new ideas.

I also follow suggestions from this book I ordered from Amazon called How to Think Like a Genius by Todd Siler:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553379283/sr=8-6/qid=1155150545/ref=sr_1_6/103-6230618-7500620?ie=UTF8

He has all sorts of exercises in there for you to open up your mind, to teach you to think creatively. There are other books about this topic as well:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_ss_hs/103-6230618-7500620?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=how+to+think+like+a+genius&Go.x=9&Go.y=11

I was not so creative before, possibly because of my schooling. I was a science and psychology major and subjects like this encourage more linear thinking ie. A + B = C.

Your brain is like a muscle, you have to train it to work a certain way.

Answer 2

I get my ideas from living, every little effect and influence has lead me to the thoughts that i have now.
When i think of a new thought it is based on something that i have already done, or know how to do.
Medition is the best thing you can do to come up with new thoughts, just let you mind hang out in the wind, and let it be taken away. :)

Answer 3

used to be reading magazines, books on inventors etc; but nowadays, www is only a click away where it's not about gettings ideas, but how to be selective and then decide if one's own idea is that original !

Answer 4

I take showers at those hotels they always advertise :-)

Really though, I study something, then I don;t think a bout it for a week, then I start studying it again, really helps.

Answer 5

by looking at the end result that is desired and thinking backwards to the initiation of the issue...

Answer 6

most popular method is theft.