Stuck for ideas? Here are Some Ideas to Unstick You!

Take a Shower 

 

You may laugh - but most entrepreneurs find that taking a shower (or running) help them come up with new ideas. 

 

When we focus intently on a task at hand we tend to see only one part of the big, sprawling picture in front of us. It's when we get away from the chore of idea generation, that our brains start to work with associations. 

 

You may find that when you run or cycle, you begin to see common ground. It happens all the time that you see bloggers who write posts such as "10 things marketing departments need to learn from triathletes" or "How to do business like Richard Branson by thinking like Arnold Schwarzenegger". 

 

These ideas come from associations we have - but then the shower afterwards engulfs us in a field of negative ions. The pleasurable response to these ions injects dopamine into our systems, and dopamine, combined with a positive state of mind helps encourage the flow of positive ideas. 

 

Mentally Model Yourself After Someone Else 

 

Ever hear the expression "What would MacGyver do if he were here now?" It's mentally associating yourself with someone who you believe would have the answer. It doubles your creative workload, because it also breaks down barriers that you might otherwise believe existed to prevent you from finding the right solution. 

 

If, in the TV program, MacGyver could use a matchstick to escape jail, then if you think like him, you should at least be able to find a way to get out of your locked bathroom without resorting to the embarrassment of shouting out the window to your next door neighbour. 

 

Get Out of the House 

 

Another reason running and travel work so well to stimulate ideas is that by getting out of the house we move and take in more oxygen. Increased oxygen helps boost brain function, and a change of setting helps the brain start react in different ways to wards different stimuli. 

 

Accept Your Bad Ideas 

 

Yes, there's a dark side to this super power of awesome ideas. It's the really stupid, impulsive ideas that come with them. 

 

In reality, there are no really stupid ideas. There is only the stupidity of acting on bad ideas without giving them enough forethought. Don't get down on yourself for having a bad idea - it's all part of the process. Just accept that - after examining the idea - it was a bad one. Ditch it and move on. 

Finding Balance: Juggling Work, Life, And Self-Care

The more technology we have, the easier life is supposed to be – but somehow, the world just gets faster-paced and everything feels much more frantic than it did before. You're trying to kill it in your career while looking after friendships, romance, and maybe even children, but what about self-care? It feels like you're constantly juggling and if you take your eye off any of the balls for even a second, one drops to the ground. 

 

Your career demands your attention. 

 

Your family and friends need you just as much as you need them. 

 

And what about self-care? 

 

Believe it or not, you can have them all if you simply find the right balance… and you can find the tips you need to do that below. 

 

Boundaries and Priorities 

 

Step one in your journey to finding balance is establishing boundaries based on your priorities. That might mean you need to sit down and establish your priorities if you haven't already. That means understanding your core values and getting to grips with what matters most in your personal and professional life. 

 

Once that's settled, you can establish boundaries that will protect your energy and time. Just be ready to communicate your boundaries clearly and be firm when saying no. 

 

Think about your boundaries around technology, too – do you pick up emails even when you're off the clock? Do you feel the need to reply to every message instantly? Think about your relationship with the internet and social media. 

 

Organization and Time Management

 

Organization and time management work in tandem and once you crack this code, you will find it much easier to find balance. Use a calendar or diary, utilize to-do lists, and structure your day to break down your responsibilities and when you will tackle each. 

 

By breaking down every task into manageable moments, you avoid the risk of multitasking, reduce stress, improve productivity, and give yourself time for everything. 

 

Delegate

 

Something that many people struggle with is letting go of control. Let's be clear about this – you can delegate! At work and at home, you can assign appropriate tasks and responsibilities to family members and employees or colleagues. The key to finding balance is sharing the load, so learn to let go. 

 

Take Breaks Intentionally 

 

Part of finding balance and practicing self-care is taking regular breaks, which means you might need to schedule them when you sit down with your calendar and to-do list. So, schedule a take-five, go for a brief walk, sit down for a quiet meditation session, or just chill out with a glass of water or hot tea. A break should not be viewed as a luxury, it's a necessity to improve productivity and performance. 

 

Say No 

 

There's no point in establishing boundaries if you don't learn to say no! 

 

You should be able to say no to things that don't fit or feel right without feeling guilty about it. Everyone has limits, and if saying yes means pushing yourself beyond yours, you need to say no. Whether it's coffee with a friend on your busiest day of the calendar month or picking up an extra project at work when things are hectic at home. There will be times you can say yes to those things, but if you can't say yes now, don't!

 

Lean On Your Support

 

Everyone needs human connections and having a strong support system when you're dealing with life's obstacles and challenges is key. So, be sure that you are surrounded by people who respect you, understand your goals, and build you up. These people should be willing to go 50/50 in sharing responsibilities and happy to pick up the slack from time to time when it's necessary. 

 

Final Thoughts 

 

It might feel like an impossible task, but with a bit of intention, you can strike a balance between work, life, and self-care. It might be difficult at the start, but once you establish your boundaries and learn to stick to them, the rest will come with time and practice. When you do find the balance, you will start to see everything in your life improve.