How to get ideas you can move forward with

Here is what I do when I need to get ideas running. This is no exhaustive list, just some things that have worked for me. You might need to combine some of them to do the trick. Whether you are working on a specific project or just looking for new ways to get ideas, I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Of course, some might not work in your context, just take what works for you.

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Just start

There is a saying, ”The first step of any project is to grossly underestimate its complexity and difficulty”. I think this statement holds for a lot of things. Sometimes, to do something, you merely need to get started. You need to push the first pixel, write the first word, sing the first verse, code the first line. You can worry about whatever comes next later.

Find references

References are ideas similar to what you are looking for. A lot of times, you need a reference to get you on a starting point. By using references (whether a book, article, or website), you can gain inspiration from others who have handled similar problems or explored related topics. Combining multiple references can lead to new and unexpected insights, helping you approach your work from another perspective. Using references becomes truly effective when you make it a habit even when you are not generating ideas. This makes sure you always have your idea tank full.

Give yourself short deadlines

Have you ever found yourself generating ideas for a task you don't feel like simply because the deadline was looming? It’s pretty common, you most likely have heard that “Work expands to use up the amount of time allocated for it.” Deadlines (when used appropriately) can be an effective tool for creativity. By setting a clear deadline for yourself, you give yourself a sense of urgency and a reason to prioritize the task at hand.

Give yourself constraints

Sometimes to get your creative juices going, you need to set constraints where ideas start and stop. When so many ideas are flowing in your head, it can get overwhelming and hard to know where to begin. For example, you might limit yourself to using only a color palette or restrict your font choices to just one or two styles. The aim is to reduce the number of options so you can move forward with one. When you start generating ideas, you can gradually lift some of these constraints and explore new directions.

Note everything that comes to mind

I used to struggle a lot with this. Generating new ideas is all about capturing and nurturing your creativity. One thing that stops this is filtering ideas as soon as they drop. When you dismiss an idea as not good enough, you rob yourself of the opportunity to go down the rabbit hole and see where it leads. Instead, keep a book or always have a document open where you dump all your ideas. When you revisit them later on, you might be surprised at the insights you get.

Be willing to throw ideas away and start over

I also struggled with this. I used to try to integrate my main ideas no matter how much they didn’t fit into the final design. But I soon realized how this was holding me back. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to let go of old ideas and embrace new ones. Be willing to start on a fresh slate if what you have is not working out. Not always easy but this can be worth it.

Practice over and over again

You have probably heard this before. To get better at something, you need to do it consistently. You need to be in situations where you have to generate ideas if you are to get better at it. You can do this by taking on side projects and challenges that require you to come up with creative solutions. By regularly pushing yourself to generate new ideas, you can start to develop a personal system that works for you.

Take a nap, walk, or do something different

I find napping very effective, and I don't have to spend a long time on it. An hour nap can do wonders for your focus. Try taking a walk, watching a movie, doing a light exercise, or doing something unrelated to the current task. Personally, I have found that taking a 5-minute exercise break before starting a stretch of work can help me focus and generate new ideas.