It can be so easy to get stuck in a rut and get super narrow-minded. When this happens, life pretty much stinks. You think, “I’m just going to have to slog it out here at this ol’ job.” Or, “Well, we’re just going to have to drive this old junker car because that’s all we have money for.”
photo by en:User:Fir0002
Most times, when you’re in a tough spot, you’re just one good idea away from a solution. Here are 32 unique ways to generate new ideas:
1. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed
2. Write with a different pen
3. Go jump roping
4. Go for a run shirtless (for guys only)
5. Wear a different color than normal
6. Get a different haircut
7. Doodle
8. Campout in your backyard
9. Eat something you wouldn’t normally choose for lunch
10. Meetup with someone new for coffee
11. When something catches your eye, stop and look at it
12. Lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling
13. Swing
14. Take a 24 hour break from ALL technology
15. Grab your journal and write WHATEVER pops into your head
16. Make an idea board
17. Tell yourself a joke and then laugh at it
18. Get out a bunch of children’s books at the library
19. Do #18 and sit in a corner and read them
20. Lay under a tree and look up
21. Road trip!
22. Change your furniture around
23. Buy a super bright pair of shoes and wear them
24. Brainstorm with someone (all ideas count)
25. Don’t think so hard
26. Daydream
27. Do something daring
28. Take a cold shower
29. Listen to a new podcast
30. Sit by a river and do #26 or #24
31. Keep a pen and journal by your bed to capture new ideas
32. Move somewhere new
Question: What can we add to this list? Leave your response in the comment section of the post.
I used to do suggestion 1. Not because I wanted to generate new ideas but because of fear. My thought was “If someone breaks into the house and tries to shoot me while I’m sleeping, they’ll hit my feet instead.” Stupid, silly… I know…
Haha, I guess there is logic there! (And, how old were you?) (kidding)
Man you made quite an exhaustive list! I love it. Honestly #14 sounds heavenly – some days I just cringe at the thought of getting on the computer – but my business is there so I do. I am going to call a friend I’ve known for a LONG time and brainstorm some ideas with her.
Awesome, way to take action!
33. Hang upside down. I do this on my inversion table. 5 minutes on that thing makes me feel like I’ve finished a round of exercise.
Good list, Michael. I remember last summer deciding to cut my grass with my shirt off, to get rid of my farmers tan lines (in the BACK yard) – very uncomfortable for me!
Michael, running with my shirt off was pretty killer for me too! I haven’t done it since. Just not something I’m comfortable with.
Do you go all the way upside down on the inversion table, or are you on a 45 degree angle?
Either way is beneficial, but yes, I like to go 180. The guy in the video that came with it does ab crunches while being all the way upside down and he is in his 60’s – can’t say I do that though!
Wow, that’d be a workout!
Here are a few edits and/or editions.
1. I’m pretty much stuck with my haircut, so #6 won’t help me.
2. I would like to see my wife do #4, but then I’d have to do #28. Just saying…
3. In all seriousness, two things I do that generate new ideas are:
* Run without earphone
* Take 15-20 minutes each day to stretch
Good stuff here, Mr. and Mrs. Good!
Hey thanks, Kent. I appreciate that.
I too have been stretching for about the past 2 years, ever since PT for my back. It’s been great! I’m not doing it every day any more, but at least 3 times per week.
You’re a funny guy, Kent!
There’s something strangely invigorating about changing your furniture around. I loved changing my bedroom around when I was a kid.
Having a child has helped us to generate fresh idea, but that just opens up another can of worms 🙂