Idea Tips

Idea Tip #1 - Become A Student of Ideas

• To be successful in the future, you must be more than just a knowledge worker - you must be a student of ideas.  You must develop the ability to observe your surroundings and create ideas from what you see.  You must study ideas in all fields of endeavor.  You must get fascinated by the prospect of learning about new ideas, inventions, concepts and breakthroughs in science, technology, etc. Get fascinated about all of the wondrous things that are happening in your environment. I challenge you today to become an idea generator.  I challenge you to become a student of ideas. Learn. Take action. Do something everyday to manifest your new and creative idea.

Idea Tip #2 - Develop a System to Record and Track Your Ideas

• You can be the best idea generator in the world; however, if you fail to record and track your ideas you will most likely forget the idea. Create a system where you can record your ideas immediately. You never know when one idea may be the spark that ignites your creative fire. Create a system that allows you to organize your ideas, thoughts, insights, impressions, goals, and dreams. Your system can be an elaborate file system or as simple as a box of 3 x 5 cards with notes scribbled on them.

Idea Tip #3 - Take Action on Your Ideas

• A famous person once said, "Getting an idea should be like sitting on a pin it should make you jump up and do something." When you are empowered with a great, new idea don't just sit there do something about it. The action you take does not have to be earth shattering, but it must move you one step closer toward implementing your idea. Think about all of the tasks or steps that you will have to take to implement your idea. Select one task and get it done right now. Your momentum depends upon your movement get started today.

Idea Tip #4 - Do You Know When You Are At Your Creative Best?

• When are you at your creative best? Have you ever had ideas pouring out of your mind faster than you could write them down? When did it happen - was it in the morning or during the evening? When does creative inspiration strike you? At what time is your ability to create at its highest point during the day? If you do not have a clue when you are most creative - you may have to experiment to find out. Choose a problem, goal or idea that you want to work on. Wake up early in the morning and start working on the problem, goal, or idea. Did your creative juices flow? Did ideas stream into your mind on a continuous basis? Did you feel good? Now, do the same thing during the evening after work - pay attention to how you feel and to the results that you produce. Were you inspired or tired? Identifying when you are at your creative best will identify when you must work on projects that require the most creativity and imagination.

Idea Tip #5 - Never Stop at the First Idea

• Have you ever had to come up with a creative idea and almost immediately have an idea flash into you mind? If so, what action did you take? What did you do next? Did you say to yourself, "This idea is good enough; now, I need to figure out how to implement it?" If so, you fell into the trap of allowing the first idea that sounded reasonable to become your stopping point in the creative process? You are not alone. We are all guilty of grabbing the first idea that pops into our heads and running with it. Ideation - the process of creating ideas is tough work. If you stop at your first idea you are most likely passing up even better ideas that will inevitably appear as you continue to work your way through the creative process. The next time this happens - write your first idea down in a notepad and say to yourself, "This is a great idea, but I can create something better." Thomas Edison said, "The best way to create a good idea is to create lots of ideas." Take Edison's advice; never stop at the first idea by creating lots of fantastic ideas.