Where do Big Ideas come from?
October 19th, 2008
Whether you want to craft the world’s next greatest novel, take the trip of a lifetime, or open a small business the initial idea to create or do “something” has to come from somewhere.
I have always wondered, why do some people come up with innovative ideas while others appear not to? Or, does everybody come up with thoughts for new initiatives and projects but only a few pursue them? For example, what on earth ever possessed me to come up with the post 97 Remarkable Ways to Diversify Your Network in a Down Economy?
Why do only some seem to have this mindset?
image source: TrainforHumanity tshirt concept from Joaquin R. Kierce
Right now I am sitting here cursing Becky McCray, not literally, heck not even figuratively…because Becky is one of the nicest, most helpful, small biz folk on the internet.
However, you see, Becky recently sent a twitter message saying, “Think I might need a trip to Culebra this Feb.”
Of course, being the opportunist that I am, and not wanting to waste access to such a great talent if she actually comes to Culebra, my mind instantly went into creative mode and I replied back:
“maybe we could do a small scale small biz/social media meet up and try to land some other keynote people”
I thought the messages would just end there and nothing would come of it, but within seconds Becky sent something back to the effect of “that’s a great idea….”
Then out of nowhere, and as if the stars were aligning perfectly, the next morning I got this message from the indefatigable Liz Strauss:
@lizstrauss I’m doing well, Mark! Every time I see you I get an urge to plan an event at your place.
Again my mind began racing with the possibilities.
Where this campaign will go, I really have no idea, but I very much like the idea of some type of Idea Incubation Workshop here in the Caribbean during, let’s say, the middle of winter.
Are you an Ideanator (my new term for one who regularly comes up with ideas)?
To help ease my curiosity about the origins of idea generation and innovative thinking I recently asked some folks on Twitter for their input on Big Ideas, and the following are the responses I got:
@josephrueter to start: intentional curiosity, confident humility, sharing, information consumption, diligence, smart/engaged people around.
@sweetsfoods You know Mark, that several times unexpected big ideas come from ….night dreams!
@toddwaller Big Ideas: From reading, applying and seeing ‘other’ ways: assimilation and preparation.
@bgswanson re: big ideas. I think they come from someone who has the mindset to see a problem as an opportunity.
Where do your big ideas come from?
I find it absolutely astonishing how many new project thoughts I have while I am running. The other day I was out for my evening run and I began to think about some features that I would like to see included as an email or Twitter application (and I would greatly appreciate it if YOU would develop them).
The first, GeoTwit (or GeoEmail), would give the geographic coordinates, current weather, and the time of day somehow contained within people’s Twitter messages. Of course there are inherent security risks but you could enable the feature only for trusted friends.
The second, and the one that I think could have real monetization potential, is TwitFlick (or EmailFlick). This application would somehow offer me the option to view the latest Flickr photos based on where my Twitter messages or emails were coming from. For example, let’s say Jarkko Laine sends me a Twitter message from Finland; well I think it would be cool to have a feature that would allow me, based on user settings, to view the latest Flickr photos from Finland. For those who are interested in traveling to a particular “messaged” destination the application could be monetized with hotel and rental car offers…anyway, just an idea.
How about you? What ideas have you got going? Where did they come from?
(Editor’s note: Just for fun, please do let me know if you would be interested in some type of workshop here in the Caribbean dealing with innovation, social media and how to go about pursuing those ideas.)
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October 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Mark,
I actually have in common the running ideas. My first blog that I actually kept up with a bit was http://www.runningrevelations.com I get my best ideas running.
Otherwise, I am just plain addicted to ideas. I get them reading blogs, watching tv, just living life. I guess I am just addicted to new ideas and solutions.
I would love the conference. With the new baby, right around the corner, not sure if February is going to work for me. But I do have that possible project in Feb in Puerto Rico so who knows might just work out.
Brian
October 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I would love to come to your neck of the woods for an Ideas event. Keep us posted and get with it too. I would even be willing to present if you need an extra.
October 19th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
I find walking great for getting ideas. I also like to go walking while listening to podcasts. You very rarely come up with unique ideas while sitting at your computer.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Hey Mark:
Looking for volunteers for your event?! ;-)
I find that ideas come when I relax, when I’m exercising, when I’m allowing my mind to open to opportunities without the constraints of daily life. Putting them into action, however, is a whole other story. That’s where fear becomes the inertia.
October 20th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Hey Mark,
My big ideas almost invariably come when I immerse myself in a field of interest, research a market, talk to great people, lay a lot of groundwork…then step back and create a bit of space.
It’s like I’ve set my brain on auto-incubate, turn on the warming light and I know that, given enough time and space, the buzzer will eventually ring signifying a new idea’s been hatched. So, that last piece of the puzzle for me is very often the intentional addition of space.
And, of course, if you just HAD to create that space chilling out on a tropical island with great people, that’s just the price you’d have to pay! ;-)
October 20th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Mark, Thanks for the shout out.
I would say the first tweet (the one you have included here) is the what, and my second tweet was the when… on a walk, driving the car, or in the shower. I think it is a discipline or a practice but that is also why I meet some people who have big ideas on a regular basis.
You have to be intentional about chasing the idea even when it does not seem like the most pertinent thing to do, because it almost always is not. Cheers
October 20th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Hi Mark!
You’ve 2 approaches to be an “Ideanator” :-)
- The “rational” side: effort, dedication, marketing and so on..
- The “inspirational” side: when you’re calm in relax-mode or when you’re slept or semi-slept (called alpha state).
In the alpha state, your mind has a lot of creativity and imagination, so great ideas appear.
Last but not least, doing regular-low intense-exercise, not when you’re finishing a race ;-)..is a huge channel for me as well.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:38 am
It’s kind of annoying but my big ideas commonly come as I’m falling asleep. In that super relaxed dreamy state before I actually nod off I can get whole paragraphs for my novel pop into my head, or unravel a problem, and I mostly come up with copy headlines for clients at this time. I keep a voice recorder next to the bed for this very reason. I come up with ideas when I’m working out too, but not if I’m trying to solve a problem. I have to push it aside and just be in the moment then an answer or idea will come.
Shame it would cost me so much money to fly to Culebra otherwise I’d be keen on a workshop.
Kelly
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Great post. I find my ideas come when I am at a place where I cannot multi-task and am instead just zoning or relaxing. That might be driving, running or flying.
The workshop idea sounds interesting.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi Mark: I think creativity–generating ideas and being innovative–is a skill that can be learned. I’ve been reading a lot about this lately and we would all benefit if people studied creativity techniques they can apply to be more creative in any area of their lives, whether it’s work, how to resolve conflicts with your spouse, how to get your children to do their chores, and so on. I like the term “Ideanator” :-)
October 25th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi Mark, I find my ideas come in three different moments:
- Saturday mornings, after reading blogs, twitter….for a couple of hours and as I´m taking a shower
Actually that´s when the t-shirt concept you posted here came to life.
- At sunsets
- At around 11 pm when it´s time to go to bed :-(
Always, always, I feel as if my inside is smiling.
Definitely the ¨Ideanator¨ event looks like a great idea, count me in.
October 26th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Hi Mark, and sorry for replying this late… I really like your TwitFlick idea (and I’m flattered that you used me in your example :)) Definitely something worth exploring a bit more.
Right now, I’m a bit overwhelmed with ideas, and trying to not come up with any as I’m already falling behind in implementing my current ones. But you know, I can’t help but think of more ideas. They can come at any time. Often while reading, I see a connection from the book to something I’ve experienced myself, and bang, there’s another idea.
Many of them are not even worth mentioning. Some might be golden. Time will tell.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Hi Mark - An event on your island would be amazing. I would definitely try to come.
I like your Twitter ideas - especially the FlickR pic attachment.
My ideas come from lots of places - almost always when it’s not convenient to write them down. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just thinking the same things as the same time, or if our ideas actually come from other people’s minds.
I was on a writing course and we were playing a game, where we all had to keep playing musical chairs and adding a bit to each others stories. Both myself and one of the tutors wrote exactly the same thing at the same time. It was too weird an addition to the story to be coincidence and we weren’t copying each other.
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
All great ideas are divinely inspired and available to those who listen. While we may perceive them coming from other sources who supplies those other sources?