Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Creativity is what your really looking for ?  True creativity is a combination of being "Balanced and Unbalanced. Try not to be so regimented with that "connect-the-dots" state of mind.  It only takes "tiny bit" of regimin to set sail in the right direction (and keep it there). Try wearing mismatched socks or something.

Try reading books that are WAY over your head (you`ll think differently). Try not to get caught up in the details - OVERVIEWS IGNITE all kinds of THINGS.

 

 

Another resource I use to keep my ideas current and fresh is keeping an IDEA journal. Write down any and all ideas. Date the entries. Go back and read them often. Idea creation and stimulation is enhanced by re-reading your thoughts. Writing them down and reading them often will engage your creative side of the brain. Creativity can be improved in anyone`s mind. It is not limited.

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Check out the Accidental Creative, a site dedicated to stimulating
creativity. They`ve got a good series of Podcasts.

Accidental Creative

Oh man, that is SUCH an important aspect! The key to any sort of thinking is to capture it, and that requires words. Not only does an idea journal work, but also a folder. So if you see ads or print material that has some element you like, keep those in a folder.

Another one is a dream journal, basically a piece of paper or voice recorder next to the bed. How many times do people wake up in the middle of the night following a dream, and figure they`ll easily remember it. The next morning, they have no idea other than they had a fabulous dream about something.

Capturing your thoughts in words, be it conversation, journals, notes, or any other method, is fundamental to exercising the enterepreneurial and creatie mindset.

I have to say I agree with both of you (keycon and CraigL) about the idea journal. I started my entrepreneurial journal (I know I keep using that word, but reiteration of the idea of starting my own business helps me maintain my focus) around the same time I started my blog to track my progress. My wife actually suggested it. She said since I have a tendency to forget EVERYTHING I really need to write down ideas. We were actually on a road trip at the time and I told her about an idea I`ve had for a gym that would cater to workout-aholics. And she said the first thing I had to do when we got where we were going was to get a notebook and write everything down. That was my first entry.

I`ve put one other business idea in the book (which may actually be the first business I actually try to start). I mostly use it to write down sayings I hear, peoples names (such as SuN radio my have someone as a guest and I want to look into them more), businesses, books, etc. Pretty much anything I think of or come across goes in. I`ve even written a blog entry while at lunch b/c the ideas came to me and I wanted to capture them while still fresh.

So I have to say, I love the idea of the idea journal (or whatever we choose to call it).

What`s interesting to me, and I suspect a similar situation for others, is how a journal can begin with an idea then evolve. When I began my own journal, specific to an idea, it was about a book: "Phone Calls with Cassie."

It was intended to develop the idea of about 12 basic and common moral issues facing teenagers. I just wanted to write out the advice I`d given my niece that`d worked.

The problem was what to write? So I started the idea journal simply to come up with ideas. Soon afterward, I began using it for related ideas and fleshing out ideas. Then, moving farther into the process, I began to realize I was evolving a whole other concept.

Now, looking back at the journal, I see that it was *because* of writing it down that the idea evolved. It`s as if I was able to download to disk the idea in its present form, at any given time. That cleared my mind to do some more thinking, and for the "boys in the basement" to haul in new stuff, as Stephen King would say.

I`m convinced that excepting rare individuals, most of us "see" an idea in what appears to be a complete form, but it`s colored by all sorts of beliefs and preconceptioins. By writing it down, then living some life for a bit, our beliefs and biases change, and we see life differently. Even in only a few weeks.

By going back to read what we first wrote down, with our now-changed perception of reality, we see nuances and shades of difference to the original idea. We begin to tinker with it, getting ever-more detailed. That, of course, builds our intent, our energy, our persistence, and our vision detail. And that begins to pump energy into the idea.

Ideas evolve, I think, pretty much the way all of life evolves. The problem is to "notice" that evolution. An idea journal seems to be the best way to notice, and to track the evolution, should we decide to actually do something about the idea.

An entrepreneur, in simple terms, is interested is finding a void and filling
it. Just as we exercise our muscles to make them stronger and improve
our physical capabilities we need to exercise our mind. Athletes know
that success requires both physical and mental discipline. As an
entrepreneurial exercise try thinking "What if" or even more basic just
think "if". "What if" luggage had wheels.... , "If" man had wings he could
fly... . Someone had to think these things before they became realities.
Try applying this to the everyday problems in your work and your life and
see what happens.

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Tom Smith Film It USA filmitusa@gmail.com www.filmitusa.com

I think it`s a gift and we all like getting gifts.  Action item:Think of something, right now that consumers/companies might need. Research industries you like and if you could be a part of that industry what you might be able to contribute.

Surround yourself with like minds. Meet wtih small business owners in your area and find out why/how they got started. What was the driving force in them to become self- employed? To depend soley on you for a living $$  is a scary thought  but  know you can do it. 

Keep a journal handy so when an ideal comes to you, regardless of how silly it might seem at the time jot it down ( I do a lot of my best work at 3 am).

Like a child with a box of crayons. It`s that spark!. I`m not sure if it can be taught. Ideas come from a blessing. some out of a tragedy. You have to pay attention to  your gut and think outside of the box.

Whatever you do. Don`t and I repeat don`t give up. Good luck

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Marti Bryant Marti B Inc "For the Child in all of Us" www.martibinc.com