If you’re a writer, you’re used to people asking you where you get all your ideas. Most writers have the opposite problem: too many ideas.
Of course generating new ideas is the easy part, acting on the right ones is more difficult. I love having ideas, but can only act on a few of them at a time without spreading myself too thin - perhaps you can relate.
My method is to have a file for the ideas that I can’t act on right now. For me that’s a Word file when I’m at home and a notebook when I’m not but you may prefer to record audio memos, or draw a mind map, or use a list-making app on your phone.
If you record all the ideas that come to you, you’re not stopping the welcome flow of inspiration. Probably only one out of ten or even one out of hundred ultimately will be worth bringing to fruition but we usually don’t know that at the moment of conception. I’ve had many golden ideas that after a few days mysteriously had turned into lead—reverse alchemy.
Every few weeks or so you can review your file. Adopt the frame of mind of a constructive critic. Consider which ideas might enhance something to which you are already committed, which ones might be good choices for implementation when you are done with your current commitments, and the rest.
Don't throw away the rest, review them once every few months. Sometime it’s a matter of timing--something that doesn't seem like a good idea now may be a great one later on.
Then, when people ask where you get your ideas, you can tell them you have a secret stash that never runs out.
(Want ways to get even more ideas, or to help you refine the ones you already have? Get a copy of my book, “Creativity Now!”. It’s published by Pearson and available from Amazon and other good book sellers.)
