I have cycled through a lot of ideas in the last couple years. Some were closely related, others seemingly disparate. I would like to record my process so I can use it again later.
Generating my own ideas requires some combination of inspiration and isolation. If I am stuck on a particular step, I should ask myself which of these dimensions I am missing.
1. Intent
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” and “Not all those who wander are lost.” are both double edges swords. You can cover a lot of ground without a destination, and while the journey may be pleasant, it is difficult to know when you have arrived.
2. Immersion
There are very few topics where you can contribute something meaningful without first understanding what is already there, gaining some fundamental skills, and learning a few tricks.
3. Incubation
Maintaining conditions suitable for the development of an idea may depend on the field, but can include talking to others, writing, math, coding, or otherwise working through the idea as well as letting it sit in the back of your mind while you go for a walk or take a shower.
4. Insight
This is when you have turned the topic around enough that you have seen something that is uniquely yours. It can arise as an AHA! moment, or slowly appear like mountains over the horizon.
5. Implementation
Now that you have something interesting, do you want to share it with the world? Usually this requires work to put it in a form you can share. Your intention can help you identify when you are done.
6. Integration
How does that thing you just made fit in with your personal story? If you have an incoherent string of things, figuring out how they fit together might help figure out what comes next.