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How to have creative ideas

Creativity isn’t a gift reserved for the artistic. It’s a process. Everyone can come up with creative ideas. I’m a former advertising Creative Director. And here are some of my secrets.

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First thing\u2019s first. You need to understand what a creative idea is. There\u2019s no such thing as a new idea. So we\u2019re aiming to recombine existing ideas in an original and surprising way.

First thing’s first. You need to understand what a creative idea is. There’s no such thing as a new idea. So we’re aiming to recombine existing ideas in an original and surprising way.

Constantly fill your mind with art, science, engineering, technology, fiction, news and everything else. These nuggets of general information are the ingredients you need for the rest of the process.

Constantly fill your mind with art, science, engineering, technology, fiction, news and everything else. These nuggets of general information are the ingredients you need for the rest of the process.

When you\u2019re solving a particular problem, you need to gather as much specific information on it as you can. Make sure you define what the problem is and what a successful outcome would be.

When you’re solving a particular problem, you need to gather as much specific information on it as you can. Make sure you define what the problem is and what a successful outcome would be.

Start to combine elements. Take thoughts from the brief and combine them with other elements: the reproductive cycle of a fish; modern dentistry; Star Trek; IKEA; politics; eBay. Note down your ideas.

Start to combine elements. Take thoughts from the brief and combine them with other elements: the reproductive cycle of a fish; modern dentistry; Star Trek; IKEA; politics; eBay. Note down your ideas.

Eventually you\u2019ll hit a wall and think you can\u2019t come up with any more ideas. At that point keep thinking and break through the wall. More ideas will come. Break through as many walls as you can.

Eventually you’ll hit a wall and think you can’t come up with any more ideas. At that point keep thinking and break through the wall. More ideas will come. Break through as many walls as you can.

At some point you\u2019ll be too frazzled to carry on. You need to take a step back and not think about things for a while. Do a sudoku, read a book, have a nap, go for a run.

At some point you’ll be too frazzled to carry on. You need to take a step back and not think about things for a while. Do a sudoku, read a book, have a nap, go for a run.

You're all set for something magical to happen - the eureka moment. It\u2019s when your unconscious brain unravels the problem for you. If you\u2019re lucky you'll get a few. Be patient. They take time to come.

You're all set for something magical to happen - the eureka moment. It’s when your unconscious brain unravels the problem for you. If you’re lucky you'll get a few. Be patient. They take time to come.

Now you\u2019ve got a bunch of ideas. Some from your conscious and some from your unconscious. Pick out the ones that best solve your problem and develop them. Turn them into ideas you can implement.

Now you’ve got a bunch of ideas. Some from your conscious and some from your unconscious. Pick out the ones that best solve your problem and develop them. Turn them into ideas you can implement.

Share your ideas with others. But don\u2019t listen to everyone. Some people will make your ideas bigger and others will make them smaller. Seek out the former. They\u2019re rare and precious individuals.

Share your ideas with others. But don’t listen to everyone. Some people will make your ideas bigger and others will make them smaller. Seek out the former. They’re rare and precious individuals.

Decide on which ones you\u2019re going to do. Then polish them. You\u2019ve put in lots of effort to get to this point, so don\u2019t skimp now. Spend time making your solution the best it can be.

Decide on which ones you’re going to do. Then polish them. You’ve put in lots of effort to get to this point, so don’t skimp now. Spend time making your solution the best it can be.

Once you put an idea into action, keep an eye on it to see how it\u2019s working. Develop it and evolve it. The best way to test something is often in the real world.

Once you put an idea into action, keep an eye on it to see how it’s working. Develop it and evolve it. The best way to test something is often in the real world.

You’ll find more information and tips on the creative process in my book. Good luck! UserGuideToTheCreativeMind.com

  • 1.0 Problem
  • Lots of general knowledge
  • Specific Knowledge about your problem
  • 1.0bnch Paper
  • 1.0 Pencil
  • Time
  • Effort
  • 1.0l Whisky (optional)