The Burden of Abundance

We’ve all experienced writer’s block at one time or another and it can be quite a challenge to work through. Tips and tricks to overcome writer’s block have been written and shared numerous times. On the flip side, there’s the challenge of an abundance of ideas. What do we do when our minds are flooded with great ideas? Which one do we choose to write about?

Fear not, my fellow wordsmiths! I'm here to be your guide, offering tips to help you navigate and choose the perfect idea that resonates with your passion and goals.

Gather and Organize:

The first step in taming your creative mind is to gather your ideas and bring order to the chaos.

1. The Brain Dump: Allow your creativity to flow freely. Capture every fleeting thought, no matter how small, in a dedicated notebook, document, or mind map. This serves as a creative dumping ground, clearing your mind for later exploration.

2. Categorize: Once you've amassed a collection of ideas, organize them systematically. Sort them by genre, theme, tone, or any other classification that resonates with you. Categorization helps you see patterns and relationships between ideas, making them more manageable.

Evaluate and Refine:

Now that you have your ideas organized, it's time to evaluate and refine them.

1. Gut Check: Take a moment to connect with each idea on an emotional level. Which ones spark the most excitement, curiosity, or passion within you? Trust your intuition; it's a powerful filter that can guide you toward ideas that align with your creative essence.

2. Ask Yourself: Consider the practical aspects of each idea.

• Is it timely?
• Does it align with your writing goals?
• Is it a concept you can realistically bring to fruition?

Asking these questions helps you assess feasibility and keeps your focus sharp.

3. Play Detective: Dive deeper into each idea. Make notes, sketch outlines, and conduct research. The more you investigate, the clearer the potential of each idea becomes. This process helps you uncover hidden gems and refine your creative vision.

Decision Strategies:

With a refined pool of ideas, it's time to make decisions.

1. Time Traveller Test: Envision yourself a year into the future. Which idea would you be most proud to have brought to life? This test helps you gauge long-term satisfaction and prioritize ideas with lasting impact.

2. Throw a Coin (Sort Of): Assign numbers or weights to your ideas based on your evaluation. Then, use a randomizer or trust your intuition to make a "fateful" choice. This adds an element of unpredictability to the decision-making process.

3. Combine Forces: Explore the possibility of merging similar ideas. Sometimes, the magic happens when two concepts intertwine, giving birth to something entirely new and exciting.

Bonus Tips:

Here are a few additional tips to enhance your creative decision-making process:

1. Don't Discard it, Park it: If you're unsure about an idea, don't discard it. Park it in a dedicated "idea graveyard" folder for potential resurrection in the future. Ideas may evolve or find their place in a different context.

2. Embrace Constraints: Limitations can fuel creativity. Set constraints for yourself, such as a word count, theme, or deadline, to challenge your creative boundaries and refine your focus.

3. Start Small: If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't feel pressured to dive into a full-blown project immediately. Begin with a short story, poem, or scene to test the waters and explore where the idea takes you.

My Personal Strategy

When faced with the overwhelming abundance of ideas for articles my personal go-to solution is the "Ideas Jar." When all else fails, I gather each idea on a post-it note, pop them into the jar, and draw a winner. This simple yet effective method injects an element of randomness into the selection process, offering a fresh perspective and often leading to unexpected and delightful creative outcomes. Give it a try – you might be surprised by the hidden gems that emerge from the luck of the draw!

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the perfect idea. Experiment, have fun, and trust your creative fire. Remember, the wonderful burden of abundance is a testament to your imaginative prowess.

Happy writing!