Brainstorming Alone

The fact that you identify that you are in a different state of mind than people that you surround yourself with is a very good sense of self-awareness.... just make sure that you never get discouraged when your thought process might be a little bit ahead of what other people might consider a good idea.

In the past I have done something such as using easel pad sized sticky notes. These things are pretty huge and I give you the ability to throw a bunch of ideas on a huge sheet of paper and then you can condense them with what's good and what's not. I usually write them down and then I research a few ideas here and there and then revisit it later and take my time in the process.

I also recommend zero to start. It has really good principles. I don't think you really need to read the book if you can just came through a YouTube video that condenses it. Based on what I've gotten from that video I would say that the most important thing is finding a contrarian truth oh, but that's just my opinion. Different people can find different nuggets from that book! :-)

I can't recall the last time I bounced one of my ideas off of someone else to get their input and/or to get some form a validation.

My process is pretty simple:

1. Come up with a new idea, based on a problem I experienced or just some random inspiration. Get it down on my ideas list.
2. Google every variation of keywords/phrases until I'm satisfied I've identified the general landscape. Sometimes this process takes tens of hours over multiple days/weeks, and sometimes longer
3. If viable solutions are available, I set aside the idea and use what exists (if I need it now)
4. If I can't locate any viable or complete solutions/products that address the idea, I highlight it on my "ideas list", and let it sit there for a while
5. If there are no viable solutions, and if it's something that needs immediate attention, because it's a problem I'm trying to solve for now, I have it built
6. Have it built with the intent of offering it for sale (or subscription)
7. Use it for a while, then decide later if it's worthy of taking time to try and offer it for sale/subscription.

If I go past #7 on the list above, I'm committed to giving the idea a go. At that point, you're just at the very beginning of a very long uphill journey. So sit back, be patient, but be persistent.

Sometimes, if I believe the idea has merit, I do an alpha/beta/prototype stage where I invest just a little money, and get people who need the solution to try it. Go through cycles of this to determine if I want to continue to pursue the idea further.

Marketing is the hardest part of selling, so you have to be mentally prepared that it's going to take a shit-ton of effort, time, & focus.

Note: My idea list is done in the form of an email that I regularly email to myself -- so it stays at the top of the Inbox.

There's some good posts on here for testing validation.

But some of the easiest ways to do it is to look at the complaints sections of forums, and (product/software) reviews.

The best solution to solve is the one that you experienced yourself.