How to generate fresh ideas even when you’re stuck
You stare at the screen, the notebook, the whiteboard… nothing. It’s like your brain went on vacation without telling you. Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, student, or content creator, you’ve probably hit that dreaded wall where no idea feels fresh, and every spark fizzles out.
Here’s the truth: idea generation isn’t magic. It’s a skill—and like any skill, you can train it. In this post, you’ll find ten proven techniques to help you unlock creativity, fuel innovation, and come up with ideas on demand—even when inspiration is nowhere in sight.
Why Ideas Matter
Ideas are the currency of progress. Behind every blog post, business, podcast, app, social media trend, or viral campaign—there was a single idea that sparked it all.
Whether you’re building a brand, solving a problem, writing a novel, or just trying to keep your content calendar fresh, your ability to generate ideas consistently can be the difference between momentum and stagnation.
But here’s the catch: most people treat ideas like lightning strikes—random and rare. In reality, the most successful creatives treat idea generation like a habit. And that’s what we’re about to do too.
10 Proven Techniques for Generating Fresh Ideas
1. Brain Dump
Write down everything on your mind for 10 minutes straight. Don’t censor. Don’t judge. Just get it out.
Why it works:
Your brain is constantly juggling thoughts, distractions, unfinished tasks, random worries, and the occasional brilliant spark. When all of that is swirling around in your head, it’s nearly impossible to access focused creativity. A brain dump acts like a pressure release valve—it frees up mental space by externalizing the noise.
How to do it:
Grab a notebook, open a blank doc, or use a simple notes app. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Then write continuously. Anything goes: ideas, to-dos, frustrations, half-formed concepts, even “I don’t know what to write” if you’re stuck. The goal is quantity, not quality.
Don’t stop to format, fix grammar, or evaluate. Just let your thoughts spill out.
What to expect:
In the first few minutes, you might write down the obvious and the mundane. That’s good—it clears the surface clutter. Around minute 5 or 6, you’ll likely start uncovering more interesting ideas, forgotten thoughts, or unexpected connections. That’s where the gold often hides.
Tip:
After you’re done, take a break. Then return and scan your dump for patterns, potential ideas, or themes that stand out. Highlight or extract anything worth exploring.
Use cases:
- Creators use brain dumps to beat content blocks
- Entrepreneurs do it to spark product ideas or plan launches
- Anyone can use it to clear mental fog and regain focus
Bonus variation:
Try “themed” brain dumps, such as:
- “Business ideas I’ve never explored”
- “Content I want to create this year”
- “Things that frustrate me about my industry”
Sometimes the most creative breakthroughs come when you allow your thoughts to wander without constraint.
2. Idea Remixing
Take two unrelated ideas and combine them to spark something new. For example: Uber + Dog Walking = On-demand pet sitter app.
Why it works:
Most “original” ideas are actually clever combinations of existing ones. Innovation often happens not through inventing something entirely new, but by blending two familiar concepts in an unfamiliar way. This technique taps into the power of pattern recognition and cross-domain thinking—skills that great thinkers, designers, and entrepreneurs use all the time.
How to do it:
Start by creating two lists:
- List A: everyday objects, problems, industries, or services
- List B: trending technologies, cultural shifts, or popular business models
Then randomly pair items from each list and ask, “What would happen if these two things were combined?” You’re not looking for perfection—just exploration.
Examples:
- Tinder + Books = Swipe-based app for discovering your next favorite read
- Spotify + Mental Health = Personalized audio therapy sessions based on mood
- LEGO + Education = Modular learning kits that teach STEM through play
- Airbnb + Garden Spaces = Rent private gardens or rooftops for a few hours
What starts as a silly combination can often be refined into a surprisingly practical idea.
Tip:
To take it further, add a third element: Uber + Dog Walking + Subscription Model = Monthly pet concierge service with walking, grooming, and vet check-ins.
Use cases:
- Content creators remix formats (e.g. TED Talk + Stand-up Comedy = Edutainment videos)
- Entrepreneurs combine business models to disrupt markets
- Product teams use remixing in brainstorming sessions to reimagine features or services
Bonus tool:
Use random word generators or prompt decks (physical or digital) to challenge your brain and remove bias from your pairings.
Bottom line:
Creativity doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, it’s just about seeing the hidden connections between things that don’t normally go together.
3. Change the Medium
If you always write, try sketching. If you typically brainstorm in silence, talk it out loud or record a voice note. Switching the mode you use to think can unlock entirely new ideas.
Why it works:
Your brain engages differently depending on the medium you use. Writing tends to activate logical, linear thinking. Drawing or speaking out loud, on the other hand, taps into more intuitive or emotional areas of the brain. By switching mediums, you disrupt your habitual patterns and give your brain a new way to approach the same problem.
Think of it like changing the tool you use to dig—you may uncover something you couldn’t reach before.
How to do it:
- Draw it: Try visualizing your idea as a diagram, doodle, mind map, or even a comic strip. It doesn’t need to be artistic—just expressive.
- Speak it: Explain your idea to someone else, or simply record yourself talking. Often, saying things aloud reveals gaps, insights, or clarity you can’t access while typing.
- Act it out: If it’s a product or service, act like you’re pitching it or demoing it. How would you show it, sell it, or teach it?
Examples:
- A podcaster blocked on content ideas might sketch their listener’s emotional journey instead of outlining bullet points.
- A founder unsure about a new product might voice-record a pretend investor pitch to hear how compelling the concept sounds.
- A coach might diagram client pain points and desires visually rather than writing about them.
Tip:
Use “cross-sensory” formats. For instance, take notes by hand instead of typing. Or explain your idea using analogies or stories instead of facts. The goal is to shake your thinking out of autopilot.
Use cases:
- Creators trying to storyboard a video or plan content
- Entrepreneurs prototyping ideas on paper instead of spreadsheets
- Teams whiteboarding ideas together rather than typing silently in Google Docs
Bottom line:
If you feel stuck, don’t just change your environment—change the form of your thinking. Sometimes your best idea isn’t stuck in your head—it’s waiting for your hand, your voice, or your sketch to bring it to life.
4. Ask Better Questions
Instead of asking, “What’s a good idea?”, try asking, “What’s annoying me right now?”, “What do I wish existed?”, or “What’s unnecessarily complicated?”
Why it works:
Your brain is wired to answer questions—so the quality of your thinking depends on the quality of the questions you ask. Vague or overly broad questions like “What should I create?” or “What’s a good business idea?” are too open-ended to spark clear answers. But when you narrow the focus and tie it to real-world problems or observations, your mind shifts from blankness to solution mode.
Better questions lead to better insights. They tap into frustration, curiosity, and desire—fertile ground for valuable, original ideas.
How to do it:
Start by reframing your starting question. Instead of reaching for “good,” aim for specific, real, and relevant.
Try these prompts:
- What bugs me about [insert topic/industry]?
- What’s the most annoying part of my daily routine?
- What do I wish someone would invent already?
- What’s inefficient, confusing, or overpriced?
- What could I simplify, automate, or redesign?
Then follow up with:
- Has anyone already solved this?
- Could I solve it better, faster, or differently?
- Who else has this problem—and would they pay for a solution?
Examples:
- Annoyed by complex budgeting apps? That frustration might spark a minimalist money tracker.
- Hate planning meals every week? That could lead to a content series or app that solves it.
- Tired of inconsistent freelancer contracts? There’s a product or template pack waiting to happen.
Tip:
Ask these questions when you’re frustrated. That emotional spark—impatience, irritation, confusion—can be a surprisingly powerful creative trigger.
Use cases:
- Entrepreneurs use this to find product-market fit
- Content creators use it to find pain points their audience deeply relates to
- Writers use it to develop ideas grounded in real emotion or conflict
Bottom line:
If you want better ideas, stop chasing “good.” Start chasing real. Real problems. Real needs. Real moments of friction. That’s where the best ideas live.
5. Steal Like an Artist
Look at what’s working in other industries—not to copy it, but to remix the structure, emotion, or strategy in your own unique way.
Why it works:
Creativity isn’t about creating something from nothing—it’s about seeing differently. When you “steal like an artist,” you’re not plagiarizing. You’re learning from patterns, frameworks, and inspiration across fields, then adapting them in a way that reflects your own voice, purpose, and audience.
Great creators often draw from a wide range of unrelated sources. A musician might be inspired by architecture. A writer might be influenced by stand-up comedy. A startup founder might learn something powerful from a fashion brand.
How to do it:
- Look outside your bubble. If you’re a content creator, don’t just look at other content creators—look at how museums design experiences or how magazines structure stories.
- Pay attention to structure (How is this content/product/experience built?), emotion (What does it make people feel?), and strategy (Why does it work so well?).
- Ask yourself: What elements could I adapt to fit my own medium or message?
Examples:
- A YouTuber might notice that late-night shows use catchy, question-based titles and quick cuts—and adapt that style to educational videos.
- A startup might borrow a luxury brand’s onboarding experience to create a more premium feel for their digital product.
- A coach might study how comedians build tension and surprise to make their webinars more engaging.
Tip:
Keep a “Swipe File”—a digital or physical collection of ideas, screenshots, headlines, or user experiences that stand out to you. Review it regularly for inspiration, not imitation.
Use cases:
- Marketers use this technique to stand out in saturated markets
- Creators use it to infuse originality while still relying on proven frameworks
- Innovators use it to bring fresh ideas into stale industries
Bonus insight:
Your best ideas may not come from looking harder within your own niche—but from looking sideways into someone else’s.
Bottom line:
Stealing like an artist is about being curious, observant, and respectful. You’re not replicating someone else’s work—you’re building something new with familiar building blocks. And that’s exactly how some of the most compelling ideas are born.
6. Use Constraints to Your Advantage
Creativity loves limits.
Why it works:
It might seem counterintuitive, but having too much freedom can be paralyzing. When every possibility is open, the mind doesn’t know where to begin. Constraints act as creative boundaries—they reduce decision fatigue, sharpen focus, and often force more inventive thinking.
From haiku poetry to minimalist design, many of the world’s most creative works were born not despite constraints, but because of them.
How to do it:
Start by intentionally limiting one or more elements of your creative process. You could constrain:
- Time – “Come up with 5 content ideas in 7 minutes.”
- Resources – “What product could I launch with $0?”
- Format – “Explain this idea in just one tweet.”
- Words – “Describe this using only verbs.”
- Tools – “Create using pen and paper only.”
These constraints create tension that forces your brain to work differently—to cut through clutter, prioritize what matters, and often discover unexpected solutions.
Examples:
- A business idea brainstorm with the rule: “Only ideas that can be executed without a website.”
- A video script written with only 100 words max.
- A newsletter that only contains 3 sentences—one idea, one example, one takeaway.
- A product idea challenge: “How would I deliver this without using any plastic?”
Famous examples of constraints sparking creativity:
- Twitter’s original 140-character limit led to punchy, concise messaging.
- Dr. Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham using only 50 unique words—on a bet.
- The Dogme 95 film movement imposed strict rules on filmmakers (no artificial lighting, handheld cameras only) and birthed a wave of raw, innovative cinema.
Tip:
Use constraints as a short-term challenge, not a permanent rule. It’s a creativity workout, not a creative prison.
Use cases:
- Creators facing decision overload or perfectionism
- Entrepreneurs needing to simplify or prototype fast
- Writers or marketers looking for original angles
Bottom line:
Limitations don’t block creativity—they guide it. When you reduce the number of choices, you increase the clarity and originality of your output. The next time you’re stuck, don’t add more options—add a creative constraint.
7. Reverse It
When you’re stuck, flip the problem. Instead of asking, “How can I improve this?”, ask, “How could I make this worse?”
Why it works:
Reversing a problem jolts you out of linear thinking. When you’re always focused on improvement, your brain tends to follow familiar paths. But asking how to make something worse introduces absurdity, surprise, and unexpected insight. It helps you uncover hidden assumptions, weak points, or overlooked opportunities by approaching the issue from a completely different angle.
Reversal thinking is a powerful technique used in creativity training, design thinking, and even software testing.
How to do it:
Take the problem you’re trying to solve—or the idea you’re developing—and ask the opposite:
- How could I completely ruin this experience?
- How could I make it confusing, frustrating, or boring?
- How could I drive users away as fast as possible?
Make a list of all the worst possible versions. Be as ridiculous or exaggerated as you want.
Then, flip it again: look at each “bad” idea and ask, “What’s the opposite of this?” or “What truth is hidden inside this failure?”
Examples:
Let’s say you’re designing a course and feel stuck. You ask, “How could I make this the worst course ever?”
- Make it 10 hours long with no breaks
- Use only text slides and no visuals
- Give unclear instructions and no support
When you flip these:
- Break the course into short, digestible modules
- Use dynamic visuals or real-life examples
- Provide clear calls to action and extra resources
You’ve now identified valuable improvements—all by thinking in reverse.
Tip:
Use reversal when you feel like you’ve exhausted the “normal” options. It’s especially helpful for finding pain points or coming up with differentiators in crowded markets.
Use cases:
- Designers improving user experiences
- Content creators trying to avoid clichés
- Entrepreneurs validating business ideas by examining what frustrates customers most
Bonus variation:
Try this question: “What would someone who wants this to fail do?” Then build your strategy to do the opposite.
Bottom line:
Reversal is about flipping the script. Sometimes the worst ideas hold the seeds of your best solutions—if you’re bold enough to look for them.
8. Walk It Out
Leave the screen. Walk. Think. Return. It’s simple—but surprisingly powerful.
Why it works:
Movement boosts brain function. Numerous studies show that walking—especially in natural environments—improves creative thinking, focus, and problem-solving. When you’re physically moving, your brain switches into a more relaxed, diffused state of thinking. This allows ideas to surface that might stay buried during high-focus, screen-bound sessions.
In fact, a well-known Stanford study found that walking increased creative output by an average of 60%. It’s not just about getting fresh air—it’s about activating a different mode of mental processing.
How to do it:
- Step away from your desk and go for a walk without a specific destination.
- Leave your phone behind or put it on airplane mode if possible.
- Bring a single question or problem with you, but don’t force a solution. Let your mind wander.
- Optional: carry a small notebook or use a voice recorder in case something brilliant pops up mid-stride.
Variations:
- Take a walk after consuming creative input (like reading or watching something interesting). Let the brain digest.
- Do a “loop walk” around the same block. The predictability frees up mental energy for ideation.
- Walk with a partner and talk through ideas—conversations on the move often flow better than those across a desk.
Examples:
- A writer stuck on a blog outline might walk and suddenly find the perfect metaphor.
- A business owner struggling with a launch strategy might realize a simpler approach while strolling.
- A coach designing a workshop might find their main message after observing how people move, interact, or behave outdoors.
Tip:
Try walking at different times of day to notice when your mind feels most creative—early mornings, post-lunch, or golden hour. Track patterns over time.
Use cases:
- Creatives dealing with mental blocks
- Remote workers needing a mid-day reset
- Anyone brainstorming solo and feeling stuck in their chair
Bottom line:
Some of your best ideas won’t come from sitting and trying harder. They’ll come when you’re in motion, not thinking too hard, letting your mind do its quiet work. Walking gives ideas the space to breathe—and the freedom to find you.
9. Borrow a Different Perspective
If you’re out of ideas, try thinking like someone else—literally. Step into a different mindset and ask, “How would they approach this?”
Why it works:
We all think in patterns. The more familiar we are with a problem or context, the more likely we are to fall into habitual thinking. Borrowing a different perspective disrupts that. It allows you to step outside your default mental framework and see things in a new light—often unlocking ideas you’d never come up with on your own.
This is why collaborative brainstorming works: other people bring lenses you wouldn’t naturally use. But you don’t need a team to access new perspectives—you can simulate them.
How to do it:
Choose a persona or archetype. Then ask: How would they approach this challenge? What would they prioritize? What would they ignore?
Try these:
- A 5-year-old – What would they ask first? What would confuse or delight them?
- A comedian – How would they make this funny or absurd?
- A futurist – How might this problem look in 10 years?
- A minimalist – What would they remove to simplify it?
- Your future self – What would you wish you had done now?
- A customer who hates your idea – What’s their main objection?
Examples:
- A teacher creating an online course could ask: “How would Pixar tell this story?”
- A brand designer might ask: “What would a punk rock band do with this identity?”
- A startup founder could ask: “What would Apple’s early team do differently here?”
Advanced variation:
Try a full role-play: write an imaginary email or letter from the point of view of your selected persona. It doesn’t have to be realistic—it just needs to shake up your usual assumptions.
Use cases:
- Creators trying to break free from sameness
- Teams stuck in internal thinking loops
- Entrepreneurs building for customers they don’t fully understand yet
Tip:
Use this technique when you’ve been staring at the same problem too long and everything starts to feel obvious or bland. A fresh perspective often turns “meh” ideas into bold, creative breakthroughs.
Bottom line:
Creativity isn’t just about thinking differently. It’s about seeing differently. When you shift perspectives—even temporarily—you give yourself access to a whole new set of possibilities.
10. Sleep on It
Sometimes, the best way to generate ideas is to stop trying. Step away, rest, and let your subconscious take over.
Why it works:
Your brain doesn’t stop working when you sleep—it just shifts into a different mode. During rest, your subconscious continues processing information, connecting dots, and solving problems in the background. This is why you’ve probably had a breakthrough in the shower, during a nap, or first thing in the morning. It’s not random—it’s neuroscience.
Research shows that sleep enhances associative thinking, memory consolidation, and creativity. This is especially true for REM sleep, which is linked to the brain’s ability to form distant connections between ideas.
How to do it:
- Before going to sleep, write down a specific challenge or question you’re trying to solve. Be clear but brief.
- Resist the urge to keep thinking about it—just set the intention and let it go.
- Keep a notebook or voice recorder by your bed or wherever you wake up. Often, fresh thoughts emerge in the morning when your conscious mind is less critical.
- Revisit the question with fresh eyes the next day—you may find the solution feels obvious now.
Examples:
- A writer struggling with a headline finds the perfect phrasing first thing after waking up.
- A designer wrestling with layout options dreams up a totally new composition overnight.
- An entrepreneur unsure about a pricing model realizes the core value proposition in the shower the next morning.
Tip:
If you’re in a crunch and don’t have the luxury of a full night’s sleep, try a 20-minute nap instead. Even a short rest can help reset your brain and give your subconscious a chance to do some behind-the-scenes work.
Use cases:
- When you’ve done the research or brainstorming but feel mentally blocked
- When you’re too close to the idea and need distance
- When a decision feels murky and you can’t “think” your way to clarity
Bottom line:
Creativity isn’t just about output—it’s also about incubation. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you give your mind space, silence, and rest. Sleeping on it isn’t procrastination. It’s a strategy.
Overcoming Creative Blocks: What to Do When Nothing’s Flowing
Even with all the right techniques, there will be days when ideas just don’t come. That’s normal. Creative blocks aren’t signs that you’re unoriginal or uninspired—they’re part of the process. The key is knowing how to move through them.
◍ Accept the Stuckness
Take a breath. You’re not broken. You’re just tired or uninspired. That’s okay.
◍ Change the Input
Watch a documentary. Read an unusual book. Talk to someone outside your field.
◍ Lower the Stakes
Make a “terrible ideas only” list. Free yourself from the pressure to be brilliant.
◍ Move Your Body
Stretch. Walk. Dance. Shake up your physiology to shake up your thinking.
◍ Talk It Out
Speak your thoughts out loud. Explaining your problem to someone (or a voice note) can bring clarity.
◍ Create a Ritual
Use a candle, playlist, or workspace to tell your brain: it’s time to create now.
Blocks aren’t failures—they’re signals. Listen. Shift. Then show up again tomorrow.
Tools to Boost Your Idea Generation
The right tools can help you organize your thoughts, track ideas over time, and generate momentum when you feel stuck. These are some of the most effective tools to support your creative process:
Notion
Best for: Organizing brain dumps, content calendars, project ideas, and creative workflows.
Start using Notion for free
Milanote
Best for: Visual thinkers who love moodboarding, pinning ideas, and dragging connections across a digital canvas.
Try Milanote here
Obsidian
Best for: Connecting thoughts across time and turning small notes into deep insights through linked thinking.
Download Obsidian here
PromptHero
Best for: Generating creative AI prompts to get past blocks in writing, design, or brainstorming.
Explore PromptHero
The Creativity Journal
Best for: Getting off-screen and using guided exercises and prompts to generate fresh ideas.
Buy the Creativity Journal here
Use these tools to capture your sparks and turn them into something lasting.
Final Thoughts: Creativity Is a Muscle, Not Magic
Coming up with ideas isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about building habits, embracing curiosity, and giving yourself permission to explore without judgment.
Some days, your brain will be full of ideas. Other days, it might feel empty. That’s okay.
The important part isn’t being perfect—it’s showing up with intention.
The more you practice, the easier it becomes to turn a blank page into something meaningful.
Try a technique. Test a tool. Step away and come back. The next great idea is probably closer than you think.
Related Reading:
If you’re interested in applying these techniques in a professional setting, check out this post about Creativity in Business: How to Spark Better Ideas and Thrive in Remote Work.
It dives into how creative thinking can improve team collaboration, innovation, and productivity—especially when you’re working remotely.
This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend tools I personally use and love. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.