Where do successful entrepreneurs get their best creative ideas? Molly Reynolds* interviewed some entrepreneurs to find out. Here are my favorites :
- John Goodman, John Goodman PR: Takes a three-hour walk and that’s “when I have my best creative ideas. My head de-clutters, and I start thinking clearly.”
- Kat Quinzel, Cash Cow: “I get my best ideas when I’m making food. I think it’s because I tend to forget about everything else.”
- Bian Li, The Hungry Lab: His ideas come while scuba diving.
- Allen Klein, author/speaker: “my best ideas come from times when I’m walking my dog.”
- Lisa Kipps-Brown, Glerin Business Resources: “I get my best ideas when mowing the grass with a push mower.”
These stories align with creativity research. Researchers have found that ideas are more likely to come when you take time off from your hard work. We call it incubation. It often happens when you’re doing something physical, like walking or cooking. (Warning! It only happens if you’ve worked hard and long before you take this time off.)
*Molly Reynolds, Kiplinger news service, “Inspiration points: Entrepreneurs reveal what sparks their creativity.” July 2017.
The Creativity Guru 
Cycling, walking and just immersing myself in nature – whether it’s a woodland stroll or overnight on the side of a moyntain.
Getting away from the city seems to be a popular place for innovation.
I agree, this can help with time off and incubation. Especially with physical activity like hiking. But also, there are many people who get energized for creativity by the stimulations and the people in an urban environment.