“One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ideas expand your possibilities. The more ideas you create, the more opportunity you will have. Those that cannot create ideas will never maximize their potential. The good news is ANYONE can create ideas. That’s right, everyone has the ability to create ideas, and I mean everyone. This whole excuse about I am not a creative person, is a just a copout. It is a limiting belief that traps people in a prison of low productivity. Are there people who possess a natural skill for creating ideas? Sure…but that does not mean that someone cannot learn the art of creating ideas.

Let me give you some ideas about how to create ideas…

1. Consume Yourself In Resources

Whatever area or subject you are wanting to create ideas in, you’ll need to consume yourself with information about it. The more information and resources you can devour in your mind, the more you will begin to create new ideas. Your brain cannot sprout new ideas without a seed. If you are not planting seeds in your mind, you will not create brilliant and amazing ideas. The more you spend time growing in your knowledge about specific subjects the more you open the door to ideas. READ, READ, READ, and then READ some more about whatever it is you are wanting to develop your ideas in.

2. Find A Place To Think

You cannot create great ideas in sterile environments. Our brain needs to relax and be free to think in the proper atmosphere. I can’t tell you where your best thinking will come that is dependent upon your own makeup. When I was single and didn’t have a washer and dryer in my house I would go to the local laundry mat. Each time I went there, late at night, I had incredible ideas just flowing. I quickly realized that one of my best places to think was at the laundry mat because of the dryers going, washing machines turning, and the warm breeze from the fans. For whatever reason my brain would go crazy there. I capitalized on this and would bring a notebook and get my brain going. Find out where you think your best thoughts and go there often.

3. Take Time To Think

All most everyone I talk to does NOT spend enough time thinking, or maybe I should say…intentional thinking. Thinking on the way to work, or a meeting, or on breaks isn’t enough, you need to take specific time to think. I once read a study on the top most successful entrepreneurs and one of the common practices they ALL had was, guess what…THINKING TIME. They literally spent about an hour a day, minimum, in their “thinking chair” with no interruptions or distractions. You will NEVER get ideas if you don’t spend time nurturing your thoughts. Make time to develop your thinking habits and it will pay you great rewards for the future.