From a post at Innovation Weblog

The top 10 catalysts for best ideas are:

1. When you’re inspired
2. Brainstorming with others
3. When you’re immersed in a project
4. When you’re happy
5. Collaborating with a partner
6. Daydreaming
7. Analyzing a problem
8. Driving
9. Commuting to and from work
10. Reading books in your field

In their analysis, Tim Moore and Mitch Ditkoff discovered an intriguing paradox: creative people seem to have a need for solitary retreat and reflection, but also enjoy opportunities to collaborate and brainstorm with others.

Where do you get your best ideas? And how do you capture them?

There is an insightful post at Business and Blogging that I’d like to share with you:

Friday Fun: Business Blogging Epiphany

One that particularly stands out is the shift that occurred when I realized that perhaps even more important than knowing the right answers, is knowing the right questions to ask.

This holds true in business blogging as well. Many professionals who start a blog feel pressured to exhibit their expertise and provide well-reasoned answers to all of their readers needs.

While it is important to provide some answers, it is also important to remember that the best blogs build a sense of community and engagement.

They enable the blogger to learn about his or her readers as much as for the readers to learn about the blogger.

What questions could you ask your readers that will get them engaged in your blog?

What thought provoking topic can you raise?

What opinions can you solicit?

What knowledge could you gain that would help you build a better business and a better blog?

So for you dear readers, what are your questions for me?

• What if I told you that I was thinking of changing things up a little around here?
• What if I stopped posting on the non-productivity and workflow topics that I am interested in and put those articles somewhere else?
• What would you most like to see here? (something that you would share with your friends and colleagues)

Please let me know in the Comments, and together we will make it happen!

I have delayed wrapping up a series of posts on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and I apologize for that. I have been working on some rather pressing matters that required some serious attention.

In any case, I am planning on scheduling some time to work on that summary and edit the series into a single workbook for you all. First, I’d like to request some feedback from you:

• What do you like best about the 7 Habits series?
• What did you like least about it?
• What are your unanswered questions?
• Is there one specific issue you’d like some help with?

For the new readers, here are all of the posts in the series:

7 Weeks, 7 Habits, A Better You

• Habit One - Be Proactive
• Habit Two - Begin with the End in Mind
• Habit Three - Put First Things First, part I
• Habit Three - Put First Things First, part II
• Habit Four - Think Win/Win
• Habit Five - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
• Habit Six - Synergize
• Habit Seven - Sharpen the Saw

Leave a comment, or send an e-mail to - stephen [at] hdbizblog.com

I am actually writing this on Tuesday evening, getting ready for the big trip to SOBCon. Please bear with me.

This week’s Oblique Strategy:

Amplify the mistakes.

Share your impressions of this strategy in the Comments. Share your thoughts on the future in the Forum.