That’s a brilliant idea!
I was reading a post by Seth Godin on where we find good ideas. The imagery that he used of the stale corporate meeting room where everyone is “brain-storming” to come up with the next great thing was very powerful – probably because I’ve been there and done that in the long distant past.
Crisis management aside, the idea that a room with people stuffed in it (even if it is comfortable) with the specific instruction to come up with something new is almost inevitably doomed to failure.
“Ok, think of a great idea, something original… oh and we have less than an hour”.
Hmm, perhaps not.
For me, inspiration for a product or service concept comes during the most unlikely times. Sure, they pop into my head when I’m frustrated because I can’t find a product that I’m looking for or feel that it could be done better. But the most creative time for me is usually when my mind is calmer and I am out of the work context.
Sean Quinn uses his walking time with his dogs to come up with his great ideas. Ignoring his recent problems of implementation, the ideas themselves were genius that he has then made a reality.
My most creative moments have come from similar stress-free activities.. walking, watching my children play sport, listening to the radio on a Sunday afternoon.. basically any time that my brain is allowed to relax. Some of the ideas are mad and are quickly buried. Some need to be researched further and many of those are then buried also. But some, just the odd time are well… brilliant!
This does not just relate to the business world, it works in all aspects of life.
Once we have our idea, then this is the time to sit in a room and bash it through – yourself or with others. The idea was unforced, bidden forth by the creativity of an open mind unbounded by the constraints of time and demand.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Tags: creative ideas, creative thinking, critical thinking, Seth Godin, Small Business
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Barney Austen. Barney Austen said: Creative ideas should not be bound by constraints. (new post) http://cot.ag/9BhJgR [...]
Barney,
As I posted on BizSugar:
SPECTACULAR, insightful, quintessential article!
If you told me at this moment to come up with my next blog posting I would, well…freeze! Can't work under that pressure.
Yet later on after an hour of the evening news, a walk with my dog in the lovely forest which adjoins our apartment, dinner with my wife and listening to some Motown, jazz, blues and classic rock with a pint of Guinness in my hand while I watch another sun set on this beautiful earth of ours…my mind will be full of ideas.
You hit the nail on the head, ideas come not from brainstorming but from listening, watching, observing, relaxing and letting them flow naturally.
Great Job Barney!
Thanks Yoni – I appreciate the comment. I felt relaxed just reading about your evenings
Barney, that time when you're not thinking consciously but letting your subconscious mind work is so crucial to new ideas. There's a good book by David Murray called Borrowing Brilliance that goes into some detail about this process of letting the subconscious develop brilliant ideas — well worth reading.
Hope all is well with you…
Anita
Hello Anita. Thanks for the comment. I'll look that book up for sure! All good here, hope likewise with you. Regards
Barney
Hey Anita — This is Dave Murray … I read your recommendation (I use Google Alerts) … thanks for the plug. When I wrote my book I had a debate with my publisher on whether to include the chapter on the “subconscious” (they weren't sure if it was right for a business book).
David