Are You Alert to Good Ideas?

Recently, I was listening to an interview with British author James Dover Grant, better known by his pen name, Lee Child. If you’re a fan of the Jack Reacher novels, you’ll know who I am writing about.

He started his fictional writing career after his journalism job was made redundant.

In that interview, he recounted an incident with his wife, Jane, at the supermarket. He is tall, very tall, and his height means that people often ask him to reach things from shelves that they can’t. When it happened on that occasion, his wife quipped, “Hey, if this writing thing doesn’t work out, you could always be a reacher in a supermarket.”

And so the name Reacher was born, becoming the protagonist in a series of best-selling novels.

It’s a great reminder that ideas can come from anywhere. You just need to be open and alert to them.

So, with 2025 well underway, it’s a fabulous time to assess your approach. Are you alert to ideas and ready to elevate your thinking?

Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal growth, improve your professional life, or simply adopt a more innovative mindset, you can do things that will help. Here are ideas, insights, and approaches to get you started.

Read more: Tired Mind, Fresh Ideas: Generating Ideas When Energy is Missing

1. Look at Trends with a Curious Eye

Every year, there is a predictable list of articles detailing the trends to watch, follow or be alert to.

It might be trends in technology, AI and workplaces, specific functional areas or how 2025 will unfold.

Some of the ideas will be helpful; however, not all the trends will have merit, and many are often a rehash of old ideas dressed up as new ideas.

Additionally, a person’s experience and the lens they use to view the situation will impact their thoughts on the future. As this article in the Academy of Management outlines, technology and innovation experts, authors, journalists, and economists all held different positions on the future when it comes to the future of work. Tech experts were more optimistic about the future, journalists and authors were more pessimistic, and economists were somewhere in between.

You want to stay abreast of ideas and read widely so you can sift through the ideas and, with an open and curious mind, work out which matters and which doesn’t.

This is where curiosity is a strength.

Curiosity is a powerful driver of innovation and creativity. It encourages us to explore new ideas, ask questions, and seek new experiences. Researchers Dr Todd Kashdan and Dr Paul Silvia outline the benefits of curiosity in this article and how it is linked to greater life satisfaction and well-being.

They write, “People who are regularly curious and willing to embrace the novelty, uncertainty, and challenges that are inevitable as we navigate the shoals of everyday life are at an advantage in creating a fulfilling existence compared with their less curious peers”.

Cultivating curiosity can start with making asking questions a habit, seeking new information, taking up a hobby, or exploring unfamiliar topics. All while staying open-minded and open to challenges, new ideas, and perspectives, even when they disrupt your beliefs and worldview.

2. Leverage Technology and Innovation

Technology and innovation are powerful tools for change and idea generation. Staying informed about the latest technological advancements makes you more ready to explore innovative solutions.

It helps to take a playful approach in this regard.

For example, when using AI tools, you need to play with them to uncover which ones fit your purpose. As this article in the New York Times highlights, different AI tools are trained differently, so their ‘personalities’ and tone differ.

Read more: Grow Through Design Thinking

3. Adopt a Systems Thinking Approach

As part of this, be willing to think deeply and broadly. Go beyond the obvious idea and answer to consider the issue from a systemic perspective.

Systems thinking involves understanding how different parts of a system interact and influence one another. It contrasts with traditional linear thinking, which tends to analyse issues in isolation.

Systems thinking recognises that all parts of a system are interconnected. Changes in one part of the system can have ripple effects throughout the entire system. This concept is crucial for understanding complex systems, where interactions between components can lead to unexpected outcomes.

When you apply systems thinking, you take a broader and more holistic view of the issue in front of you because you consider the interconnectedness and interdependence of all parts within the defined system. You take the time to consider the feedback loops that either amplify changes or counteract changes within the system. You examine how the system operates as a whole rather than just the individual components within the system.

By adopting a systems thinking approach, you strive to better understand the complexities of your challenges and develop more sustainable solutions. As a result, you embark on more profound and effective decision-making.

If you want further details on this approach, it’s worth reading Professor John Sterman‘s book Business Dynamics or Peter Senge‘s book The Fifth Discipline.

4. Prioritise Continuous Improvement

Ideas come in all shapes and sizes, which means that when you are considering how to improve something, you can reinvent, tweak around the edges, improve the process or start from scratch. You can also apply methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma. The possibilities are vast.

Often, when people come up with new ideas, it is because they are looking for a solution to something that annoyed them, they are curious, or they simply see a better way to do something.

For example, Velcro was invented in the 1940s by a Swiss engineer, George de Mestral. It was a day-to-day activity – walking in the Alps – that ultimately resulted in an invention still used today. He paid attention, and he was curious. He saw how burrs stuck to his clothing and his dog’s fur when walking in the Alps and then took that curiosity one step further.

Idea generation starts with observation. Notice what is around you and what’s working and what’s not. Identify areas for improvement and set specific, measurable goals. You can make incremental changes that lead to larger and more substantive progress over time.

Read more: Upskilling the Team? Don't Do It Alone

5. Avoid Cognitive Overload

Avoiding cognitive overload is crucial for fostering creativity and generating good ideas. When your brain is overwhelmed with too much information or tasks, it struggles to process and synthesise new concepts effectively.

Cognitive overload can lead to mental fatigue, reduced focus, and impaired decision-making, all of which hinder your ability to think creatively and innovatively. By managing your cognitive load, you can maintain mental clarity, enhance your problem-solving abilities, and create an environment where original ideas can flourish.

Techniques such as prioritising tasks, taking regular breaks, and practising mindfulness can help you avoid cognitive overload and keep your mind sharp and receptive to new ideas.

Also, don’t forget the critical role of sleep in helping you be mentally sharp and alert to good ideas.

6. Be Emotionally Present and Aware

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage one’s emotions and be aware of others’ emotions.

You are likely already well-versed in its benefits for relationships, leadership, and mental health. But did you know that there is a relationship between emotional intelligence and wise reasoning?

Professor Tamera Schneider and colleagues found a link. In their article, Emotional Intelligence Predicts Wise Reasoning, they report on studies that found that the ability to manage emotions significantly correlates with wise reasoning. This suggests that effectively regulating one’s emotions is crucial for making wise decisions. They also found that the relationship between managing one’s emotions and wise reasoning is impacted by humility (recognising the limits of one’s knowledge), empathy (feeling compassion for others) and perspective-taking (considering others’ viewpoints).

These findings suggest that managing emotions enhances wise reasoning by promoting thoughtful and prosocial consideration of diverse perspectives.

Ideas are everywhere, and there is a stark difference between any idea and a good idea.

So, as you strive to be alert to new ideas, get ready to embrace fresh approaches, be consciously curious, and be open to unexpected opportunities. The question to consider is where do you need to focus first to be more alert to good ideas?

Republished with courtesy from michellegibbings.com