6 Comments
author

Having too many ideas is a blessing and a curse. Just need to pick one and head down the rabbit hole!😊

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Apr 18, 2023Liked by Jotham Austin, II PhD

I’m having a hard time keeping all my thoughts in order in my head. Definitely some kind of idea paralysis!

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I used to try to write down every idea that I got. It was pointless, there were too many, most of them not good. So now I only write down an idea if it won't let me go, signifying this is an important one.

Also, sometimes I use an idea, a notion, a concept without knowing how it (should) work. But every once in a while, I stumble upon an article (Quanta Magazine, Nautilus and New Scientist are good sources) that exactly describes what I need. When that happens, it's gold.

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author

Thanks. I agree trying to keep up with ever crazy idea the brain throws at us can be daunting. But, those ideas that start to gnaw at us are the ones to go after.

The other thing I try to do is “write on stage” like a comedian. I try to talk through the idea with another writer, friend, or the stranger at the bar. 😂

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One concept I like is ideas beget more ideas.

Often times people say, I only have so many ideas so I don't want to waste them.

But what actually happens is throwing the kitchen sink at an idea will spark dozens more ideas. I've noticed this with my weekly writing. Every now and then I go wild and throw everything I've got into one piece, and as a result wind up with at least a handful of new spinoffs pieces.

Thanks for the inspiration!

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author

Indeed. It’s counter intuitive, but sometimes the wildest and craziest ideas can be the ideas that strike gold or lead to finding Seth Godin’s Purple Cow. 😊

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