Where to Look for Inspiration When You Need It Most
The human mind is fickle. One moment it’s on fire of creating brilliant ideas and then it goes empty on the next. For solopreneurs, you need to keep your mind in full thinking capacity as it is an essential part of your brand’s success. Of course, there will be times when the only thing in your mind is a tumbleweed. When that time comes, here’s what you should do.
1. Business books
There is a lot to learn from authors whom you can't find on the internet. Some have faced the problem you have and found a solution. The best part of reading is that it’s relaxing and helps you sleep better at night. That means learning and de-stressing at the same time!
2. Past experiences
You’ve had your own share of problems that you overcome. Maybe the solution to your previous struggles works on the ones you have now. All you need to do is take a trip down memory lane.
3. Hobbies
Work and business pressure us. If lingering on the areas of related thought such as reading business books or listening to entrepreneurial podcasts won’t work, maybe resetting your mind and doing what makes you happy works.
4. Podcasts
Inspiration doesn’t usually come from listening to your own thoughts or the ones around you. Sometimes it comes from someone far away and on a different timeline. Here, check these podcasts out!
5. Mental breaks
When thinking doesn’t produce new ideas, not thinking at all could work. Get out of your working space. Go to the park. Sit under a tree. Watch the blue sky. Go cloud watching. The eureka moment you’re looking for might arrive when an acorn falls to your head.
6. Wait for it
Don’t search for a new product to sell and don’t stop what you’re doing in the office. Sometimes the greatest ideas come spontaneously. When they do, make sure to write them down and don’t let them escape.
7. Team up with others or ask around
If listening to podcasts didn’t give you the idea you were looking for, you can invite or join other solopreneurs for a brainstorming session. Ask your partner what they think about the problem you have.
8. Whatever comes to your mind
Good ideas, bad ideas, weird ones, funny ones, you name it! As long as it’s an idea you have to write down. You know what they say, “If it looks stupid but works, it ain’t stupid.” Take the plastic bottle boat as an example. It looks dumb but it’s eco-friendly.
9. New surroundings
Staying in a single working environment might limit your thought process. If you’re a home-based solopreneur, you can go to a coffee shop or work in a coworking space to boost your productivity. Going out of town works as well!
10. The gym
Doing physical tasks and thinking of nothing else is another way to stimulate your mind. Make sure that you focus on pumping iron or running the treadmill only. As an added bonus, you become more alert and focused on work if you stay in shape.
11. TED Talk
Aside from podcasts, there is another media where you can acquire inspiration from and they call it TEDxTalk. You can find a lot of business and life lessons from great motivational speakers. Here’s an example - Solopreneurship: How to Create Your Dream Job from Scratch.
12. The internet
The world’s largest and most varied library. With a couple of typing and clicking, you’ll find that there’s a product in demand that’s not sold in your area. Maybe you can start a small retail shop for it there.
When you’re out of ideas, just relax and don’t rush. Do something else and let inspiration come to you. Go read a book, listen to a podcast, or watch a video. Your next product might come out of someone else’s mind or it might stem out of a bizarre train of thought.