7 Tips for Generating Ideas

So you're not satisfied with your station in life. You want to fill an indescribable void. You want to contribute to the bigger picture; but you just don't know where to start.

It all begins with an idea, from a widget, to a novel, to a social networking site with 800 million subscribers—action begins with ideas. So to help you along; here are seven strategies for firing up your cerebral cortex and having an actionable thought.

1 - Let your subconscious work for you. Use the most powerful tool in your war chest. I'm sure you've had the experience of not being able to recall an actor's name during a conversation and then three hours later, while squeamishly picking
through Aunt Helen's casserole, you blurt out, "Morgan Freeman!". It's happened to me. Well, not exactly, but similar events have happened to all of us, which is proof enough of the parallel functioning of our subconscious minds.

Medical and pharmaceutical research is rapidly shifting toward the development of products, called immunogens, which are designed to turn on the body's own immune systems to fight diseases, including cancer. Just follow the money and see for yourself. Turns out we are our own best defense. Similarly, your brain is a potent organ. But you have to believe in it and allow it to function. Your brain has the ability to uptake vast amounts of information, all in some way linked to stuff you already know. You can trust your brain to travel back through these connections to help your mind find solutions. You just might need some time for the synaptic stew to simmer.

One trick is to intensely focus on what you already like, what you are already good at and are easily attracted to, and then let it be for a while, sometimes days. Don't worry about when the idea bounces out, just change your focus and keep busy.

Write down what's troubling you just before you go to sleep, and, no you don't have to tuck it under your pillow. While you sleep your brain consolidates ideas and flushes out the twitter - no offense. Do this over several nights and when you least expect it, the solution will come to you.

2 - Quotes and Quips. The great thing about quotations is the big wad of wisdom that's packed into a short statement. Read from a broad spectrum of quotes, including sports, business, art, science, humor, innovation, medicine and personal
dynamics. Develop the habit of relating what they say to your personal
situation. Hey, reading quotes about architecture started an entire second
career for me.

3 - Read Wikipedia with random abandon. Get wild-eyed about it, like a mad wikipediac. Recklessly and enthusiastically click on the blue link-letters (Art was ahead of his time) and travel through open-source cyberspace. The open-source concept literally opens up your PC to the knowledge of the world. Read it until your brain hurts. Eventually you will link to something fascinating enough to jolt your creative impulses.

4 - "Why Can't I?" That three syllable sentence can turn a geek into a
millionaire. Watch this TED talk, The Thrilling Potential of Sixth Sense
Technology, in which Pranav Mistry - a startlingly bright inventor -
describes his new technology. Count how many times he says that his ideas came
from asking himself, "Why can't I?" This type of question is personally
challenging, which stimulates brain activity. You push your brain into action
by forcing it to create internal dialogue. Whatever you do; have fun with it.

I realize that's only four tips, but space and time
are finite in the publishing world. For the rest of the list, be patient, or
visit - http://joehefferon.blogspot.com/ - Stay connected...