It’s right up there with ‘How did you get started?’ of the common questions I’m asked.
I normally blab about keeping a notepad and capturing everything.
But the truth is, I have my secret methods too. 5 of them. And here they are:
1. Flick through your photos. You’ll rarely get past a few days before something pops up as you scan the dozens of photos on your phone.
2. Random Book, Random Page. I’m surrounded by books. Over 3,000 in our house and most are in my office. If I need a brain bump, I pick out a random book, select a random page and read.
3. Ask better questions. By asking and listening, you’ll find gold in great questioning. My favourite query at the moment is: ‘Why do you do that?’ So simple and opens up so much.
4. Silence. Following last week’s newsletter on ‘Why you should stop listening to podcasts’, my mind has been buzzing with my original ideas (rather than the podcaster or their guests) by enjoying deliberate quiet time.
5. Write Shite. This super little tool has been my go-to for eliminating writer’s block since I wrote my first book over 20 years ago. The principle is simple: If you don’t know what to write, just write something/anything - even if it’s sh… it’s difficult to write total rubbish for 15 minutes. I promise there will be at least one good idea in there.
Now it’s your turn. Where do you get your ideas?
I’d like to send a copy of my Sunday Times No. 1 best-selling book, Flip It – how to get the best out of everything, to my favourite.
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