We've all had those "why didn't I think of that?" moments... so how do we get other people to say that about what we think up? The trick, if there is one, is to write things down, which for Hub readers and writers should be second nature. Our brains are nothing more than thinking machines, they are thinking all the time, even when we are not paying any attention to what is going on upstairs, like when we are watching reality TV. Of all the millions of thoughts flying through your brain on any given day, some could make you rich, some could help you reconcile a broken relationship, some could even help you to make a better Caesar salad. You have so many ideas in your head that you don't know what to do with them, and sadly that is literally true for all too many people.

So, how do you come up with good ideas, all the time any time? It comes down to two things: thinking and writing. Here is what you do:

1. Take a blank sheet of paper and write out as clearly as you can the problem that you want to tackle. Clarity is key because clarity of purpose gets your mind focused on what you are really trying to accomplish.

2. Think of at least 20 ideas and write them down on that once blank paper. Let your mind really flow and give up worrying about whether your ideas are practical or what other people will think about them.

3. Read over your list and determine which ones actually are good ideas. You might want to put the list away for a while and then take it out the next day to see if you still think those ideas pass whatever test you have for your ideas.

Those three steps are just about all there is too it, except for one thing... practice. You've heard if before a thousand times, and deep down you know it's valid when people liken your brain to a muscle. Use it or lose it. The more you practice coming up with good ideas, the more good ideas your brain with give you. Trust me, your brain likes to feel useful and appreciated for things beyond maintaining respiration keeping your balance. Gurus and ad wizards get paid big bucks to come up with ideas, and even if you're not really into money and power, the ability to solve problems quickly and well is something that it never hurts to have.