Lessons Learned: Getting Ideas, The Three Steps

Interviews are fun. Lots of fun, actually. You get asked all sorts of random questions that you can say anything to, and the reporter will write them down like it is total fact. One of the random questions interviewers just love to ask is, "How did you get this idea?" What! How in the world do you answer that question? Uh, it was written on a bathroom stall.



In reality, coming up with a great idea is about as easy as coming up with a bad one. Since I know all of you have said, "Wow, that was a dumb idea," at onepoint, I know you have what it takes to follow the three simple steps, random, remember, and report.



First, make yourself do different things all of the time. I was wandering up a butte in North Dakota when Summit Up was conceived How is that for random? These different things don't have to cost anything, and they don't have to take much time. Still stuck? Try this, lay down on the ground where ever you are. As your face gets stepped on, maybe you will come up with a new idea for a better shoe tread.



Second, remember them! I can guarantee you that some dude has already cured cancer, but forgot his brainstorm when the oven "dinged" signalling his Tater Tots were done. Yeah, bet you didn't know Tater Tots are the food of choice among cancer researchers. So, do what ever it takes to remember your random ideas. Write them down, tie a string to your finger, shove a turtle in your pocket, whatever.



Third, and lastly, talk about them. Don't be one of those who won't talk about their ideas because someone might steal them, or someone might laugh at you. No one is going to steal your idea, trust me. At this point it is still so obscure that it won't do them any good any how. Everyone likes making people laugh, grow a thick skin and start telling others. If you are going to be discouraged by a couple of your friends laughing, you are not going to get far anyhow.



There you have it, Idea Generation 101. Follow these three steps: Random, Remember, Report, and you will ALWAYS have something to talk about when asked, "What's new?"