Ever sat down, determined to come up with the next big idea, only to find your brain running in circles?
You try all the so-called “foolproof” creativity techniques—brainstorming marathons, meditation sessions, maybe even staring at a blank notebook, hoping inspiration magically appears.
But nothing clicks.
Here’s the thing: not all creative thinking exercises actually work.
Some are goldmines for fresh ideas, while others are just busy work disguised as innovation.
The trick is knowing which ones fuel real breakthroughs and which ones are just time-wasters.
The Entrepreneur’s Creative Toolbox: What Works
Entrepreneurs don’t just sit around waiting for inspiration to strike. They have tricks up their sleeves—exercises that kickstart fresh, out-of-the-box thinking. Some of the best ones?
1. Mind Mapping
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Ever had an idea that felt huge but didn’t know where to start? Mind mapping takes one concept and branches it into endless possibilities.
It’s messy, it’s visual, and it’s exactly what makes breakthroughs happen.
2. Brainstorming with Constraints
Some believe creativity thrives in total freedom.
But throw in a challenge—like “come up with a business idea for under $100″—and suddenly, the brain starts working differently.
Constraints push innovation in unexpected ways.
3. The “What If?” Game
Ask weird questions. What if money didn’t exist?
What if customers could only use one hand?
What if the product worked backward?
Strange questions unlock perspectives no one saw coming.
4. SCAMPER Technique
Sounds fancy, but it’s just a way to tweak existing ideas:
- Substitute (Swap something out)
- Combine (Mash ideas together)
- Adapt (Change to fit a new use)
- Modify (Tweak the details)
- Put to another use (Use it differently)
- Eliminate (Take something away)
- Reverse (Flip the whole thing around)
5. Role Reversal
Think like someone else—a customer, a competitor, a five-year-old, or even an alien. How would they solve the problem? Shifting perspectives makes all the difference.
But Wait… Some Exercises Just Don’t Work
Not every technique sparks genius. Some might even do the opposite—stall momentum, drain energy, or lead straight into a creative dead-end.
Entrepreneurs thrive on innovation, but not all methods fuel the fire. Some ideas sound good in theory but fall apart in practice.
So, let’s talk about creative exercises that might be wasting your time and why they don’t work.
1. The “List Every Idea Possible” Approach
Got this DM asking for advice on finding project ideas. I want to share my answer here because many struggle with that:
1. Make a list of every idea that crosses your mind (outside walks and hot showers recommended).
2. For each idea think a little about name, product and… pic.twitter.com/ttPnVgrKiB
— Lukas Hermann (@_lhermann) November 20, 2023
On the surface, it makes sense. The more ideas you have, the higher the chance of finding a winner, right? That’s the theory. But in reality? This approach often leads to mental clutter, decision fatigue, and a whole lot of wasted effort.
Why It Fails
- Quality over quantity always wins – A massive list of weak ideas doesn’t magically produce a strong one.
- Ideas need depth, not just numbers – A great business concept isn’t just a sentence on paper. It needs thought, research, and potential.
- It becomes overwhelming – Ever stared at a long to-do list and felt paralyzed? That’s what happens with endless idea lists. Instead of inspiring action, they create decision paralysis.
What Works Instead?
- Start with a focused brainstorming session where you generate ideas with clear constraints (e.g., ideas that cost under $500 to launch, or ideas that solve a very specific problem).
- Filter and refine early – Instead of listing 100 vague ideas, force yourself to pick the top five and expand on them.
- Think in layers – A great business idea isn’t just a spark. It’s a fire that needs fuel—customer demand, feasibility, scalability. Instead of listing, try building on one solid idea and shaping it into something real.
2. Forced Meditation for Creativity
@jayalderton How to do “forced meditation” #meditation #coldwater #mindset #success #jayalderton ♬ Emotional Piano for the Soul (Inspirational Background Music) – Fearless Motivation Instrumentals
Look, meditation is great. It calms the mind, reduces stress, and improves focus. Many successful entrepreneurs swear by it. But using it as a direct creative exercise? That’s where things get murky.
Why It Fails
- Creativity thrives on stimulation, not stillness – Business ideas don’t just “appear” in a blank mind. They form through experiences, conversations, and challenges.
- Meditation isn’t designed for idea generation – It’s a tool for clearing the mind, not filling it with business strategies.
- Overthinking creativity kills it – Have you ever tried so hard to come up with an idea that your brain completely froze? Sitting in silence, waiting for inspiration, can feel exactly like that.
What Works Instead?
- Engage with the world – Instead of isolating your thoughts, go where creativity happens: talk to people, observe industries, explore new trends, ask questions.
- Active inspiration beats passive waiting – Read an interesting book, visit a museum, scroll through emerging startups, or even travel to a new place. Creativity comes from connections, not emptiness.
- Use movement as a thinking tool – Many entrepreneurs swear by taking a walk or exercising while brainstorming. Movement fuels ideas better than sitting still.
3. The “Copy What Works” Strategy
On paper, copying a successful business model sounds foolproof. If it worked for someone else, why not you? Just take what’s already winning, put your own spin on it, and boom—success, right?
Wrong. Copying without true innovation is a one-way ticket to irrelevance.
Why It Fails
- The market doesn’t need two of the same thing – Why would customers switch to a replica when they already trust the original?
- Success is built on differentiation, not duplication – The biggest brands didn’t just copy; they disrupted. Uber didn’t copy taxis—they changed transportation. Airbnb didn’t copy hotels—they redefined lodging.
- Customers notice when there’s no originality – People can smell a knockoff from a mile away. If you’re offering the same thing as a competitor, but with less reputation, what’s the incentive to choose you?
What Works Instead?
- Find the gaps, not the replicas – Instead of copying a winning idea, analyze where it falls short. Can you offer a better version? A cheaper version? A version that caters to a niche audience?
- Focus on differentiation – Take inspiration, but build something uniquely valuable. Find what makes your business stand out, not just fit in.
- Learn from successful models, but don’t depend on them – Understanding why a business succeeded is useful. But the real magic happens when you use that knowledge to create something new.
How to Spot a Useless Exercise
Not every method is worth your time. How can you tell if something is a dead-end?
- It feels forced – Creativity flows best when it’s fun, not frustrating.
- It doesn’t challenge thinking – If an exercise doesn’t push boundaries, it won’t lead to big ideas.
- No practical outcome – Brainstorming is great, but action matters. If an exercise doesn’t lead anywhere, it’s time to move on.
Final Takeaway
Not every method is worth the effort. Some exercises just create noise, others keep you stuck in the brainstorming phase forever, and a few actually block creativity instead of boosting it. The goal isn’t to try everything—it’s to find what actually works.
In communications planning, the involvement of key stakeholders such as marketing teams, PR professionals, and product managers ensures that strategies are aligned and effective.
So, if an exercise feels like it’s draining your energy instead of fueling your next big idea, let it go. The best ideas don’t come from forcing it—they come from engaging with the world, taking action, and looking at problems from fresh angles.