How to Come Up with New Ideas

As I sat down to blog yesterday, I found myself facing an age-old enemy: writer’s block.

I must have started four or five different posts before I eventually settled on How to Change Your Life. But what really struck me as I was trying to get myself started yesterday was how many of the same old ideas I was pulling from for post inspiration. In fact, I even started writing a post that I had actually already written several months ago.

Obviously, I am in some need of fresh ideas.

Fresh ideas, novel ideas, new ideas – whatever you want to call them – are important fuel for all Uncommoners. If you keep doing the same thing, thinking the same way, having the same ideas, what will you get? More of the same.

Yet all of us get stuck in idea-ruts sometimes. Like having the lyrics to just one song stuck in your head non-stop, the same old strategies, perceptions, and ideas for how to move forward pop-up time and time again without change.

Novelty is the stuff inspiration and innovation is made of. And while we can all get into idea-ruts, we can easily get out of them by following a few tips.

Since we have already started to look to spring (see 7 Spring Cleaning Tips for Uncommoners to get up to speed), we should start to look to ways to clean out our thought processes and ideas and get new types of inspiration. Here are a few tips that I have found to be always helpful in jogging the creative genius. What would you suggest?

Follow your procrastination – if you need new ideas, follow your desire to procrastinate and see where it takes you. Maybe it will surf you onto a website that introduces you to a new topic, maybe it will bring you to a TV show that inspires some train of thought. Or maybe it will allow you time to sit and do nothing (and let the little gray cells do their thinking work). Note: This strategy should be used with caution…it can easily turn into a excuse for inaction if used too often!
Take a media break – movies, music, literature, and art can all inspire us in ways we don’t expect. A great film, a trip to the museum, or time spent perusing your favorite book or listening to your favorite album can let your mind wander and provoke questions or trains of thought out of your usual idea-rut. Taking time to explore “culture” is always a great way to generate new ideas.
Shake it up - getting some exercise is a great way to both do something good for your body and your mind. Countless studies have shown a correlation between physical activity and positive/feel-good brain function. It also provides energy, an important element in generating fresh ideas. If you are feeling stumped on something, hit the gym or the walking trail for an hour and see how you are feeling afterward. Physical refreshment often leads to mental refreshment.
Go natural – spending time in nature is one of my favorite ways to provoke new thought. Wandering around in the woods, walking through a field, or sitting by the ocean is always inspiring to me. I feel more connected to the world and the universe, and there is something so inspiring about a big blue sky.
Head to the library – this idea is inspired by @RaeConover who tweeted to me today, “I love libraries! The only downfall is I could spend hours here just browsing and not working, lol!” Browsing around a library is an amazing way to get some inspiration and expose your mind to new subjects, points of view, or stories. Libraries are free and plentiful throughout most areas in the world, so if you are feeling uninspired and in need of new ideas, head on over to your local library for some intellectual exploration!

Fresh ideas are the spice of life and one of the keys to an Uncommon Life – how do you “pepper in” some inspiration?
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Here’s to your Uncommon Life,