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?