Give yourself 100 ideas

A simple framework to break any creative block

Author

Valentin Farkasch
October 25, 2024

Did you ask anybody for feedback this week? I hope so.
Even if you didn’t here is a chance to practice giving it. Because every few months or so I look at my YouTube Channel description, cringe and rewrite it.
So this is the current iteration of it.

Hi 👋 my name is Valentin. I launched Orbit in 2023 to explore what it means to be a Content Creator. But instead of chasing big names, I started with a circle of YouTube friends who share the same passion for creativity and independence.

With each episode, we’re expanding our Orbit to include a more diverse cast of creators. Showing you what different paths to success can look like.

Together we are creating a space where solo creators build connections, find resources and learn to grow while remaining independent. Enabling each other to live a rich life.

What do you think?

💛 Valentin

New in Orbit: 
Phil inspired me to finally write:
📝 74 ways to make money as a Content Creator

Become the Ultimate Idea Machine

Let’s keep it simple this week and avoid any social interactions with our framework.

From our chats I know some of you are having a hard time coming up with ideas, others don’t know how to make money and a few just feel like they have nothing to show.
All staring at a blank piece of paper unable to move forward.

To release this block take these three steps

  • Grab your writing instrument (analog or digital)

  • Put on some inspiring music

  • Write down 100 ideas

When I first heard that it felt daunting and impossible but like climbing a mountain it’s just one step at a time. And with every line it gets easier.

This practice has helped me figure out channel names, video titles and ways to monetize.

Why 100?

James Altucher originally popularized this idea by writing down 10 ideas per day and in his words


If I say, “write down ten ideas for books you can write” I bet you can  easily write down four or five. I can write down four or five right now.  But at six it starts to get hard. “Hmmm,” you think, “what else can I  come up with?”

This is when the brain is sweating.

Note that when you exercise in the gym, your muscles don’t start to build until you break a sweat. Your metabolism doesn’t improve when you run until you sweat. Your body doesn’t break down the old and build the new until it is sweating.

The poisons and toxins in your body don’t leave until you sweat.

The same thing happens with the idea muscle. Somewhere around idea number six, your brain starts to sweat. This means it’s building up. Break through this. Come up with ten ideas.

In my experience with 10 you still just write down the obvious. Somewhere between 30 and 70 you really get into a flow and the last twenty are just repetitions. It might be in those repetitions that you notice the one thing your mind circles back to.

The real gold might not even be on the paper but is hiding between the lines. Only to reveal itself to you in a moment of pondering when you take a walk.

Now it’s up to you. 
Get comfy, grab your pen, and start flexing your idea muscle!
Write down 100 brands you want to collaborate with, guests you want to invite or titles for your next video.
Not every single idea will be a banger, but trust me, something magical happens when you keep pushing.
Somewhere in that list of 100, you’ll discover a nugget that could change your direction. Let me know what you find.

My favorite things this week

Chris Do calling out BS Branding advice

Enrico Tartarotti on quitting his job to go go all in on YouTube

Naomi Jon documenting her debut album tour

What are you watching, reading, listing?

Cheat code I discovered this week

Give ChatGPT a screenshot of thumbnail options and say: 

This is a screenshot of thumbnail options for my next video. Which one is most clickable?