It would be nice to think that spontaneous divine inspiration is what moves great ideas forward, changing the world in seconds, but most ideas come from long hard work, where the mind shaped and prepared itself for prime creativity.  When it comes to intellectual property, most all of the best ideas come from planning and routine systems that perfected an otherwise undeveloped thought.  Though it may seem easier said than done, we at the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth have provided some insight below on some of the techniques used to boost your brain into overdrive, and get it ready for your moment of creation.

HOW TO HAVE A GREAT IDEA

 Believe that a breakthrough is possible. Though it might seem an obvious suggestion, often it is our own self-doubt that stifles our potential.  Believing that there is something you can do opens up your creative instincts, allowing your brain to search for answers to what would otherwise be impossible questions. Understand the “what” and the “how.” The “what” regards to what you are trying to achieve, the “how” consists of ways to accomplish this goal.  The reason many people have difficulty with this logic is that the “how” isn’t getting them closer to their “what.”  This can set a destructive cycle for any creation, as it seems to escape reason and therefor possibility.  In order to truly find new concepts, one must let go of their “what” and “how,” and open up the wondering of… “why.” Enter the passion for “why.” The “why” is the desire that drives you to the “what,” which will get you a closer understanding of the “how.” The “why” is usually a more profound reason that the actual “what,” as what drives us to do things usually comes from a deeper wish.  Take a musician for example; their “what” may be to write a song, but their “why” is so that they can impact people’s lives and help change the world.  In order to better understand your “why,” try and exercise your imagination and think of how you’ll feel when you get your desired outcome using all 5 senses.  This will open your brain for a breakthrough. Embrace the unfamiliar. There is an obvious comfort with the familiar, as you are usually surrounded with the tried and true, and likely feel you work best in such a setting.  This however can be a major setback with coming up with new ideas, as it can but you in a figurative box and unable to think outside of it.  Don’t be afraid to shake things up.  If you work in an office, try a different room or outside.  If you write on a computer, use a pencil.  If you usually brainstorm with a certain person, try another.  Anything that gets you away from your normal habits will create an environment that is new and fresh, and possibly closer to that elusive breakthrough moment. Write everything down. Often the best ideas come spur of the moment, but just as these ideas come flying in, they also have a tendency to fly right on out.  Make sure you always carry a paper and pen, and the moment a new idea is fresh, jot it down for future review.  This can also be a way of brainstorming, and though simple phrases or words might only be small pieces of a puzzle, they will help understand the bigger picture. Select the best breakthrough. At the end of your “what, how & why,” it is likely you have multiple answers to each of these questions.  This is a good thing, as it means you’ve considered multiple avenues to get achieve your desire.  Now it’s time to figure out which model works best for you.

OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Ask yourself, “What’s Next?” True innovators always see what’s around the bend.  They have a tendency to see what people desire, even if they don’t know they desire.  If you can tap into the social pipeline, you have your fingers on the heartbeat of creation. Do something about what bugs you. Perhaps there is a problem you see around you – could be physical, social, mental, etc. – and can’t find a solution that’s already available.  These are the moments where your own desire to “fix” these problems can lead to an inspired creation. Don’t Give Up! It’s what sets apart people in most cases.  Sometimes it wasn’t a lack of skill or knowledge that stopped a great idea from happening, but one’s own judgement to quit before reaching their goal.