Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I can`t remember if a topic like this already exists... but thanks to Joel in the "startup bucks" thread, I`ve decided to make this a topic.

So, where do you go to get your best ideas? Or if you don`t purposefully go there, where is it that you typically happen to come upon some marvelous brainstorm?

The bathroom?
The car?
In bed?

As for me, if I need inspiration for a design, I tend to go out to a store that I think will have items related to what I`m designing for. Sometimes I look at the packaging, or how they`re displayed on the shelf, or if it`s a service I`ll flip through magazines with advertisements related to that service. Sometimes I`ll just go someplace I haven`t been for a long time. Or a place I`ve never been.

I often get ideas in the shower or as I am falling asleep (and I sometimes even remember them in the morning )

What motivates you? When you`re thinking, do you like silence or some sort of sound? I knew a girl in college that would only do homework with the tv on. Of course, it drove me nuts. I like a little music, or silence.

Of course... I think I could come up with some pretty good brainstorms while sitting on a Hawaiian island with a pina colada... but I haven`t managed to convince my office mates to let me attempt this. *shrug* What`s their problem?


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My best brain storming and ideas come late at night. At about 2:00 am or so. I am not the type to write my ideas down and go back to sleep. So what I do now is simply leave my laptop on all night and when ever I get inspired I jump on what ever I have to finish.
Let me give you an example: I was integrating Linpoint into a customer`s web site using the API feature of Linkpoint. Well, after 14 hours of debugging and calling technical support for answers. It hit me "There And Then"!, I was not passing a variable in my application correctly. And! my problem was fixed.
At times, I can design a full web site in a matter of minutes, while if it was day time I wouldn`t have the inspiration to do it. The most I`ve spent in coming up with a concept and putting it into a web site is about 3 hours. (this does not include slicing, and image manupulation.) Just the layout.

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

It never fails - the shower!  I`m considering having a whiteboard installed!  ~lol~  Seriously, though, I am much more productive during the late night, early morning hours.  And those aha moments - you know, when you experience a true epiphany - always, always come when I`m asleep!  It`s amazing how much easier a problem is to solve while you`re slumbering away!

I honestly get my best ideas when I`m with Friends and Family. They Remind me of what I am good at and always have needs that they want fulfilled. As everyone knows, you have to realize what you are good at in order to succeed in your business endeavors. These people are going to be honest and blunt with you and may give you great ideas.  

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Oncopeg is the first retailer to donate 3% of all Sales Proceeds to the American Cancer Society. We offer a huge selection of electronics and accesories. Who knew donating could be so easy!? We also have the most competitive prices around. Stop by and Become apart of the Revolution. www.Oncopeg.com

Strange as it may seem, I get my best inspirations when I`m speaking with other people about problems they`re having. As I come up with analogies, I suddenly get a "flash" about either a related idea, or a better way to use the on-the-spot example in my notes.

Otherwise, I get ideas from plot-lines in books I`m reading, usually only one sentence. For whatever reason, sometimes even because I didn`t actually read the words correctly, I get a flash of thought about something that`s been bothering me---a problem in need of a solution.

Christina:

Hearing other peoples ideas on this site has really inspired a lot of ideas for me.  I have a creative and business background.  The challenge is to channel your energy much like a song writer or any other artist and find your most creative place.  Are you able to see the design,etc. in your mind before you produce it.  Is it a collaborative effort with you and other colleagues?  When I design something I can see it in my mind, sounds bizarre I know, but that can be a challenge for communicating to your idea to a client.  Music and surroundings are the most beneficial to me....

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Helping Businesses On The Grow
http://www.aliciarobertsco.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaroberts

For me it`s:

• In the shower
• When driving
• When I`m gardening
• When vacationing at some incredible location that is not connected to the rest of the world
• Visiting museums/galleries or checking out new retail establishments
• Reading books/magazine totally unrelated to business or my work.

If I`m feeling "stuck" when designing or writing I know it`s time to push myself away from the computer and get out in the world.  I`m sure to have a great "brain fart" when I get out of my office.

- J.



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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

Just after I take another hit of acid!

Relax, that was just a joke.

I am usually inspired while... (drum roll please)

in the shower and driving...

That`s why I bring my vioce recorder to those locations.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

I find that I really do shut down my business brain during "down times" like working out, driving, showering, etc. So my best brain storms happen during the business day as I am listening to others. It`s not while I`m talking, but while someone else is.

iouone2, you for got to include, while listening to Pink Floyd on Acid, !... hahaha..That was a good one.. But Yes, I am a big Pink floyd Fan and Dark side of the moon has just about every sound, that puts you in that trance mode.

You guys have to try this:
1. Shut the lights off in your office
2. Put Dark Side of the Moon on
3. Close your eyes and relax by using a simple breathing method.
(breathing method: Take a deep breath in and hold it in as long as you can, and then slowly release it. try this a few times and now you should feel relaxed)
Music Starts... track one... Don`t jump into trying to think and generate ideas just yet. Clear your mind, and just listen to your surrounding, the small ticks, pops, and music.)

now you`re one with the music and your thoughts.
let your inspiration begin!

Works for me all the time... This is called my personal down time. Im also big on trance, goa trance, and Tech house... so just about any CD in my collection works.
Hope this helps

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net