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We all can use good ideas. The problem is "finding" them.
I want to share with you a very simple way to discover
a few good ideas.
But wait!
WHY DISCOVER THEM ANYWAY?
There are *many* reasons to gather good ideas. However, I
will name just two:
1. Because the process can be fun
2. Because good ideas can help me stay motivated
No doubt you can name a few more. Take a moment and list
two more of your own in the spaces below.
Why?
Because it will assist you in the process of getting a good
idea or two for yourself *this week.*
Your two reasons are:
1. ____________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
Let's begin the first of our three-step process to discover
*your* good ideas for this week.
STEP ONE: DEVELOP YOUR "IDEA MINDSET"
In other words, decide two things that will put you into an
idea-gathering state of mind:
*Decide that you will look for ideas
*Decide in what area you are going to "look"
If you don't decide to do it -- for real -- it won't get
done. (Nothing like stating the obvious!)
But it's true.
Once that is settled, pick an area you will "focus" on.
For instance: "I will look for creative ideas related to...
*How to communicate better
*Building my business
*Motivating my family
*Developing a grateful heart
*Raising children
*Illustrations I can use in teaching
*Humorous moments to cherish
*My hobby
*Neat ways to say "I love you!"
*And...you jot down some quick thoughts:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
The key: determine a *very specific* area to look for.
This is important.
It is important because it allows you to "see" your world
through your newly acquired "idea eyes."
And because you "see" things in a different light, your are
more likely to discover creative ideas related to your area
of focus.
But you also have to...
DEFINE WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK (STEP TWO)
It is very helpful to define a specific period of time when
you are going to be looking for your ideas.
It can be...
*A few hours in a day
*A few hours for several days
*A few days
*A week
*A "month of Mondays" (i.e. every Monday for the
month of March)
Personally, I think it is best to start with very short
periods of time. Something that won't wear you out, and that
is easily attainable. A time frame that causes you to think:
"Yeah. Sure. I can do that!"
PRESS "PAUSE" FOR A QUICK REVIEW...
Step One --
Decide that you are going to look for ideas and *what*
specific area you will focus on.
Step Two --
Decide *when* are going to look: choose your time frame.
NOW ON TO STEP THREE...
Choose how you will record your ideas. And the "how"
includes "when."
Are you going to utilize your journal, a note card, your
pocket PC, a recorder, your planner, or a section of
a notebook?
Next...
When would you *like* to do this? Pick a time you would
enjoy recording what you have observed. It can be
immediately "as it happens" or at the end of a day -- if
you take good mental notes ;-)
THAT'S IT!
This simple process harnesses...
*The power of your decision-making ability
*The power of your own inherent creativity
*The power of your mind to define how you will "see"
the world around you
*The power of using a compressed time period to assist
you in focusing on what is valuable to you
GO GET THOSE IDEAS
"I will look for creative ideas in this area ..."
"I will look for these ideas in this time frame..."
"I will record my creative ideas in this way..."
HAVE FUN!
Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,
Lee
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Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business
at home, and writes his own motivational mailing entitled
"A Beautiful Moment In Time." Permission is given to
distribute article. This entire paragraph must be included.
Email: Lee@vital-sea-nutrients.net
Link: http://www.vital-sea-nutrients.net
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