Ten Ideas a Day: The Creativity Habit That Will Change Your Life

How Writing Down 10 Ideas Every Day Makes You Smarter, Happier, and More Successful

What if you could train your brain to be more creative, just like you train your body at the gym? In ‘Choose Yourself,’ James Altucher suggests a deceptively simple exercise: write down ten ideas every day. These can be business ideas, ways to help a friend, or even wild inventions. The point isn’t to find the next big thing—it’s to build your ‘idea muscle’ through repetition.

Most of your ideas will be bad, and that’s okay. The act of brainstorming daily makes it easier to spot opportunities, solve problems, and innovate. Over time, you’ll notice your thinking becoming sharper and more flexible. Altucher shares stories of people who turned random ideas into successful businesses, books, or creative projects—simply by making idea generation a habit.

Don’t worry about judgment or perfection. The goal is quantity, not quality. If you’re stuck, try prompts like ‘ten ways to improve my morning routine’ or ‘ten businesses that could exist in the future.’ The more you practice, the easier it gets. This daily ritual not only boosts creativity but also builds confidence and resilience. Give it a try for a week, and watch how your perspective changes.

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