Where do you get your ideas?

The question of the day is: "Where do you get your ideas?" ...but then the question goes on to ask a bunch of stuff with very different answers. And I believe that there are distinctions to be made here that can really help you do better in different circumstances. "What inspires you?" I never lack for inspiration and motivation, I just have to the awareness to be on lookout for it. I am inspired by anyone who is doing something that adds to the world in a positive way, and who is committed to it with all their heart. Their ability to express that commitment through action is what shines through them. And it is that beacon of heartfelt positive action that inspires me to add my little firefly sized glimmer to the world too. It doesn't have to be anyone famous, although there are heros a plenty out there too. Lately, I've seen that beacon shining brightly in the strength of my family. I am also blessed to have lots of customers who are doing amazing things out in the world, from rescuing animals to mapping the sea bed, and they also inspire me everyday to keep doing what we do. As long as I'm looking for it, I can count on that beacon to be there somewhere for me. "When you feel stuck...." Okay, that supposes a problem exists that I can't get my mind around with the direct approach. You can't always solve a problem as if you were storming the beach at Normandy! For me, that "feeling stuck" sensation is a real signal to do something else for a while. Like taking a walk, or gardening. Anything else that will let my mind work on the problem sideways. "...or at loose ends..." That sounds like when I am tired and exhausted, and I need rest. That's a good time to rest and refresh. Sleep on it. Meditate. Quiet the over active, over stimulated, over caffeinated, over wraught mind. Rest. Rest. Rest. "...where do you get your best ideas?..." Direct Observation. If you are looking for an original idea, there's no substitute to looking right at things and bringing to it your own unique point of view. Since only you can do that, it guarantees originality, if not popularity. Experiment. You have to tinker. Some things will work. Some won't. The doing brings new ideas either way, and it is better than getting stuck in a cartoon like thought bubble of analysis paralysis. "Is is by reading? Journaling? Talking with others? Taking some time in nature? Or something else altogether?..." Yes. All of those techniques can be helpful. Although, anything too predigested will certainly not yield up an original idea. Of course, you don't always need an original idea. You may just need to know about something you haven't heard of yet. I am more than willing to do research, and to learn from the collective experience of other people. Combined with direct observation, you can often gain insights that you wouldn't have otherwise. There's nothing wrong with climbing up onto the shoulders of those amiable giants over there to have a look see. :-)