How to Get Great Ideas to Find You (Yes, You Read That Right)

The basic idea: Instead of proactively searching for original thoughts, I ask them to find me.

I talk to many extremely accomplished people, read quite a bit, and am disciplined about pursuing interesting topics. But that's not how I unearth my best ideas. Instead, they materialize out of thin air.

They come to me in the shower, when I'm climbing a mountain, and when I'm driving on the highway. The book I wrote with Amy Blaschka—a mindfulness journal called "I Am"—came to me as a fully-formed concept while I was meditating.

Here's why: I ask them to find me

A bit more background: This may sound nuts, but it works.

I'm a prolific writer. For example, for a number of years in succession, I wrote more articles on LinkedIn than any other person in the world. Ideas come to me all the time.

At the top of the mountain, I don't just stare off at the horizon. I ask for inspiration, then clear my mind.

As you might imagine, there is a catch...

Once I ask for inspiration, I have to make room for it. This only works if I stop talking, thinking, and otherwise being preoccupied. It only works if I abandon any sort of time restriction.

For example, here's what doesn't work. "For the next five minutes, I'm inviting new ideas to find me."

Ask. Be quiet. Don't set a deadline. Be open and patient.

Then there's one more ultra-important step: remember what comes to mind. Don't be the person who got the idea for the Great American Novel but forgot to write it down.

I've used this approach for decades. It works with consulting, training, product development, startup innovation, and even writing articles. 

But let's not oversell. You can't dream up a new product in the shower and bring it to market the next day. Once you unearth the idea, then you have to study it, refine it, and enlist the help of others.

There are countless scientific—and non-scientific—arguments for and against what I'm suggesting here. Some may say that by opening myself up to new ideas, I'm giving my subconscious mind room to process all my research and interactions. Others may say that the universe is bringing me ideas, simply because I asked.

No matter. When you invite good ideas to find you, and you take the time to listen, they actually will appear. 

Bruce Kasanoff is a social media ghostwriter for entrepreneurs who helps his clients communicate what matters most.