It is easy to generate ideas. The work comes with separating the good from the bad and then executing a plan. I wrote a post a while ago named "Stop the Idea Frenzy", in which I explained how I managed to stop the impulse to gather ideas, and execute them instead. Some have asked what I do to come up with ideas so fast.
Let's see... We talk to lots different people everyday. This usually starts with the closest ones to us. This could include family, neighbors, friends, work colleagues, gas station clerk, your coffee server, etc).
Now, consider how you would like to improve on something that affects your own and others' lives, then think about how you'll do it if everything you think is needed is already available. For example, money, time, market, supporters... . Once you generate ideas, then you have 50 million people fill out a survey to answer any doubts on your solutions. Well, here's the trick: You cannot do that type of survey for every single thing you believe could be better.
How I Generate Ideas
I ask my closest circle questions in this context:- Imagine if we had a ______ , wouldn't that be nice?
- If you had something to do ____, how would you do it?
- What do you think would work to make this useful?