Looking For Ideas? Change Your Behavior

Many of you may know that I’ve been writing a weekly eLetter about Change -  Thinking for a Change -  since May 29, 2001. (Oh my gosh, that’s 8 years, once a week, missed only for occasional technical difficulties, Chris’ lack of writing discipline, Miriam’s significant family obligations.) Doing the math I’m going with approximately 400 editions. (If for some strange reason you aren’t already subscribed, here’s the link. It is free and very short. What are you waiting for?)

It occurred to me that people might wonder where I find the stuff I write about. There are three keys for a having a constant stream of ideas that you can use in almost any endeavor. Having a focus. Having a notebook. Having regular connections to sources. For any of you finding yourself desiring a steady stream of new ideas and material, here’s the explanation for the first one. (The other two will be expanded in the next 2 blog postings scheduled to be released the next two Tuesdays.)

Having regular connections to sources

This is the work part and the other two won’t matter if you’re not willing to do this one! You need to listen and read a wide range of stuff. Most of it won’t apply, some of it will make you mad, and every once and a while, you’ll strike gold. That’s the fun part, especially when the gold comes from an unexpected place. It’s not as interesting if you get an insight about a workplace issue from the latest business book that everyone else is reading. (Don’t miss looking there, but don’t only do your looking there.) Think of how creative you’ll feel if you can find significant insight from a completely unrelated source. Here are some of my semi-regular gold minds.

CBS Sunday Morning

                Hardly a Sunday morning goes by without a segment of this program sending my thinking in a new direction. Since they have a strong focus on the Arts, I’ve been introduced to musicians, artists, and writers I’d never found on my own.

Music on my iPod

                I have over 8,000 songs in my various iTunes libraries. (If anyone can tell me how to get them all on one, I’d be eternally grateful!) They’re all on my i Pod, i Phone, and Shuffle because I put them there, but I can’t tell you how many times a song starts and for the life of me it’s like I never heard it before. Consciously listening to the songs often brings up a line or phrase that gets me thinking in a new direction. This morning’s walk brought The Dixie Chicks singing I’m Not Ready to Make Nice. Trust me there are 3 lines that will make it into an upcoming Thinking for a Change.

Most of the Shows on NPR

                The first button on my car radios, my home stereo tuner, and any hotel or rental car radio when I’m using them for more than one night is tuned to an NPR news and information station. From Morning Edition to All Things Considered, Car Talk to As It Happens. It’s a wonder that I ever turn on my television. When you check out the list here, look at Fresh Air, Weekend Edition, The Diane Rehm Show, Talk of the Nation, Talk of the Nation – Science Friday, On Point, This American Life, Marketplace, and Prairie Home Companion. The others listed that I didn’t mention are probably great but just don’t air in Northern Wisconsin or the places I’ve been driving. Let me know if you find a good one I can search for next time I travel.

Good Fiction   

                Since I’m in the business of words, I learned that reading beautifully connected prose makes me a better speaker. You’d be amazed how often I use the highlighting feature on my Kindle to collect a passage that shed light on a change issue. The author probably didn’t intend that to happen, but it was the effect nonetheless.

Morning Joe on MSNBC

                This is as close as I can bear to bring myself to right-leaning Talk Radio. I appreciate that former Congressman Joe Scarborough works to bring people of very differing views to the table for civilized conversation, well-reasoned dialogue, and lively debate. His regulars as well as the guest he attracts makes it a good food for thought in the morning and keeps me honest about my own closely held beliefs without adding too much to my already slightly elevated blood pressure.

I could go on and on. Every day I read, USA Today, the Wausau Daily Herald, either the Milwaukee Journal or the New York Times electronic version. Usually I read the Time magazine that arrives in my mailbox, scan the covers of other magazines at the book store looking for interesting articles, and subscribe and read several  monthly writing magazine.

Wow, that feels like a lot even to me. Don’t miss my point. It’s not only the quantity of material you put in front of yourself, but it’s the randomness and variety of sources you cultivate that will make you stand out.  Go to work. Trust me it will be fun!

Comments

[Kim of Kim & Jason]

Thanks so much for the tips, Chris. Now that my time is much more limited these days, with a 6 month old in the family, it's great to have resources like this at my fingertips. I'm looking forward to your next post next Tuesday.

BTW, Jason can help you get all of your music in one place if you'd like. Sounds like a good excuse to connect in AZ. :)