No Buses-All The Buses: Ideas Are Like That

Ideas are like buses: none show up, and then suddenly they all arrive at once. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas—whether it’s for writing, starting a business, or a new hobby—the worst thing you can do is wait. Waiting for ideas is like waiting to get fit: it doesn’t work that way.

You need to be deliberate. Ideas don’t grow in a vacuum; they need a solid foundation to develop. If you don’t feed your mind with source material, it won’t have anything to work with. The truth is, thinking you have no ideas can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s like Henry Ford’s famous quote: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right."

Steven Pressfield, in The War of Art, talks about the Resistance—a natural force that thrives on inaction. The longer you wait to act, the harder it feels to start. But here’s the good news: action creates momentum, and once you start, the ideas will flow.

How to Start Generating Ideas

So, how do you move from no ideas to an abundance of them? Here are some quick and effective strategies:

• Write 10 Random Ideas Daily: James Altucher carries a waiter’s notepad and writes down ten random ideas every day. They don’t have to be good—just get them down. Like a muscle, your creativity gets stronger with regular exercise.

• Combine Two Different Things: Take two unrelated concepts and combine them into something new. Altucher calls this “idea sex,” and it’s a great way to spark creativity.

• Be Intentional with Your Downtime: Use moments like walking or driving to listen to podcasts or audiobooks on topics that interest you. Inspiration often strikes when your mind is engaged but relaxed.

• Read, Read, and Read Some More: Consume articles, books, newsletters anything that stimulates your thinking. Ideas feed on other ideas.

• Curate Your Content: Be mindful of what you consume. Align your media diet with your goals. You can still enjoy your favorite Netflix series, but balance it with content that inspires growth.

• Write Things Down Immediately: Don’t rely on memory. When an idea strikes, capture it right away or risk losing it.

• Share and Discuss Ideas: Talk about your ideas with others. Conversations often lead to new insights and perspectives.

Mood Follows Action

As Rich Roll wisely says: “Mood follows action.” Don’t wait to feel like generating ideas just start. The motivation and inspiration will come once you’re in motion.

Reclaiming Your Creative Flow

Generating ideas was never an issue when we were kids, but as adults, we often lose confidence in our creativity. The key is to rebuild that confidence through practice. Don’t pressure yourself to create “big” ideas immediately. Start with silly, fun, or even absurd ideas. The more you practice, the more naturally ideas will come.

A Month of Ideas

Try these strategies, and in a month, you’ll go from feeling stuck to having more ideas than you know what to do with. The process works—but only if you commit to it.

I hope you found this helpful. If you’re ready to take your performance to the next level, check out my free mini-course, How to Be a High Performer in Times of Change.