Everything is a Remix

In a popular video series, Kirby Ferguson posits that all creative work is a remix—whether it’s music, art, or technology. He defines remixing as the process of copying, altering, and merging existing elements to create something fresh. While many of us recognize remixes in music, we often overlook that virtually everything around us is a blend of pre-existing materials.

Today's short-form videos, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, exemplify this concept. Users frequently repurpose popular sounds or concepts to create their own versions. This principle applies across all content types, including blog posts, podcasts, and videos. By identifying elements that resonate with you, you can transform them into unique creations infused with your insights.

Viewing content through the lens of remixing simplifies the idea generation process while allowing your individual voice and perspective to shine through.

Your Best Ideas Emerge from Your Subconscious

In my work with numerous writers, a key focus is finding consistent methods for generating inspiring ideas. If you rely on creating ideas from scratch each time you set out to produce content, you may find yourself struggling.

An ideal creative process involves these three steps: 1. Regularly generating new ideas (primarily from your subconscious mind). 2. Maintaining a rich library of ideas that pique your curiosity. 3. Selecting an idea from your library when you’re ready to create.

Without these practices, the creative process becomes cumbersome, leading to wasted time pondering what to produce.

As previously mentioned, the bar for content has been raised. Simply summarizing information won’t yield viral success. Today’s most engaging content often reflects a mashup of the creator’s personal experiences, expertise, and unique viewpoint.

Everything you encounter contributes to your ideas, which your subconscious mind crafts by making connections. The hard truth is that originality is rare; most content is a reimagining of what already exists, enhanced by the creator's unique context.

Consider a bold example: as both a Swiftie and a content creator, I penned an article about leveraging the “Taylor Swift Effect” to cultivate a loyal audience. This idea emerged from a combination of various experiences and passions I’ve encountered over the years.

To spark innovative ideas, it’s essential to engage with the world around you. Step outside your comfort zone, explore new environments, hold conversations, read widely, and ask probing questions.

Choosing Your Domain

Now, let’s address a point that many creators resist: to generate impactful ideas, you must operate within certain boundaries. While the term “niche” can sound restrictive, it’s important to define the scope of your work.

Ask yourself: - Why do you create? - Who is your target audience? - What unique value does your work provide? - In what ways does your work stand apart?

Clarifying these elements will make it much easier to follow the subsequent advice.

Always Challenge Yourself

You may not appreciate this suggestion, but you’ll generate the best ideas when you connect previously unlinked concepts. If you remain within your usual routines, your mind won’t be stimulated to discover anything novel.

As mentioned earlier, your subconscious mind generates ideas when you least expect it—during walks, showers, or even casual conversations. The most brilliant ideas often come unexpectedly, but you must feed your mind with stimulating material for this to happen.

The phrase “garbage in, garbage out” is prevalent in discussions about AI prompts, but it also applies to your mental processes. You cannot expect creative output if you inundate your mind with low-quality information.

Given the current environment where anyone can publish content instantly, we’re exposed to a plethora of subpar information. Protect your mental energy by curating what you consume—seek out quality material and voices that resonate with you.

If generating new ideas has been a struggle, challenge yourself to break free from your usual patterns. Explore different content, try new activities, and engage in unconventional conversations. Allow your mind to wander in fresh directions.

Let It Go

Your subconscious mind thrives when you're not actively pursuing your next big idea. By establishing the right systems and routines, you’ll continuously discover intriguing concepts and make unexpected connections.

Creatives often have unrealistic expectations regarding productivity and creativity. To tap into your creative potential, it’s vital to let go of these pressures and engage in varied activities. Take breaks, unwind, and participate in pursuits unrelated to your creative work. This gives your subconscious the necessary time and space to process information and create new links.

Make sure you have a reliable method for capturing ideas when they arise. I prefer using Trello, which syncs across devices and is user-friendly, but keeping a notebook handy works just as well. The key is to have a system ready to record your thoughts at all times.

Your Ideas Are Worthless

Did I just spend several minutes explaining how to generate ideas only to tell you that they are essentially worthless? Yes and no.

Ideas hold value only when acted upon. Many people get caught in the cycle of idea generation without executing any of them. They wait for the perfect concept, then hesitate to move forward, fearing someone will steal their idea.

The reality is that ideas lose their worth if not acted upon. Google wasn’t the first search engine, Thomas Edison didn’t invent the light bulb, and Apple didn’t create the first computer. These can be viewed as “borrowed ideas,” yet they thrive because the execution is what truly matters.

Ultimately, I’m here to help you share your message with a vast audience. Click here to get started.