How to come up with ideas for anything

Ideas don’t appear from nowhere. I have found myself doing these three things repeatably:

1. Externalise thoughts to reduce mental load

2. Revisit those thoughts regularly

3. Connect those thoughts to generate combinations

Every time I do this, I’ve found more ideas. Below are 8 practices I do and can probably help you too.

1. Write daily for 10 minutes without stopping

Set a timer. Write without editing. I use Apple Notes app for this.

• Write whatever’s on your mind

• If you don’t know what to write, start with that

• Don’t stop until the timer ends

• Don’t read what you wrote immediately

Come back after a week to check:

• Repeated words or thoughts

• Sentences that feel uncomfortable

• Tension points

2. Write one thought per sticky note/ index card

Keep it short. I use Amazon Basics white index cards for this.

• Use post-its or index cards

• Write in short, clear phrases

• Stick them on a wall or notebook

• Don’t organise immediately

Later, look for:

• Notes that naturally group together

• Ideas that appear in different forms

• Ideas that don’t group or belong anywhere (yet)

3. Keep one notebook with dated entries

Use one notebook. Date everything. I use Muji passport notebooks for this.

• Log ideas, feelings, problems, anything

• Add dates to each entry

• Circle things that feel important when writing

Every week:

• Read just the last 7 entries

• Note what shows up more than once

• Note what still feels strong

• Note what now feels wrong (I strike them out)

4. Keep a list of unanswered personal questions

This is not journaling. I often start writing just with a question and try to answer them. I do this mostly on Apple Notes.

• Capture them as they come

• No need to explain or justify

• Keep them somewhere accessible

Examples:

• Why do I feel restless even when nothing’s wrong?

• Why do I hesitate to share good news?

• Why do I avoid phone calls but crave good connection?

Revisit once a week. Don’t force solutions.

5. Link 2–3 old notes and create a new one

Combine what you already have.

• Pick any 2–3 old notes

• See how they relate

• Write one new note from the combination

My example: “I think a lot when walking” + “I avoid video calls” = “I’ll call a friend with whom I can blabber about these random thoughts”

Do this once a week.

6. Set up a small thinking wall or board

Make your thoughts visible. I use an Ikea corkboard.

• Choose any visible surface

• Create 3 zones: Raw / Grouped / Active

• Move notes between zones as you progress

Observe:

• Which thoughts never move

• Which areas get dense

• What you keep avoiding

Update weekly.

7. Speak your thoughts aloud

Talking slows you down just enough to hear yourself think. I do this while walking. To Apple Voice Memos.

• Choose one unclear thought

• Set a timer if that helps

• Speak freely while walking

• Don’t try to be logical

Notice what you keep repeating or if anything becomes clearer after a few times.

8. Do a weekly cleanup

Process what you already wrote.

• Review your notes once a week

• Keep what connected, tag the notes as applicable

• Combine the ones that fit in new notes

• Let go of the ones that are no longer relevant

This is where the brain dump will become good material.

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