Coming up with ideas is a funny thing.
The harder you search for that gem of an insight, the more frustrating your efforts become. Yet there are times when a “Eureka!” moment seemingly pops out of nowhere. And of course, it happens just when you’re far, far away from your work desk.
So if forcing your way towards a great idea isn’t the answer, then what is?
The problem is that relying on intense concentration isn’t enough. Simply trying to think your way outside the box often leads nowhere. You’re stuck running in circles.
Instead, what you need is a trigger. Something that inspires you, something that forces you to think outside your current train of thought. Once you step outside that cycle, you can generate one creative idea, which leads to another, and so on.