In my opinion, it's an idea that gets you so fired up you can't think about anything else. And no matter how tough the going gets, you don't fall out of love with your idea.

To me, that's sexy.

I have good news and I have bad news. And then I have really, really good news.

Let's get the bad news over with.

The vast majority of creations never make it to the store shelf. Statistics vary depending on the source, but roughly 1 in 1000 products actually make it to making money. Bear in mind this is not necessarily a reflection of the viability of your creation; it can be a combination of lack of financial resources, business nouse and marketing savvy.

Now, before you lose heart, the good news is that if you do want to create something, and you're prepared to go the distance to see it become a reality, then you were born at the right time on the right planet.

Visionary Don Tolman believes we are living in the 'Age of Imagination'... a much written about and prophesied age - the new age that the poet philosophers of the Classical Greco Roman period spoke of during their time.

Frankly, I like Don's theory. In fact, it thrills me to bits! What a wonderful concept - to claim our era as the Age of Imagination. How lucky are we to be alive in such an era of opportunity. Sure beats the Dark Ages.

Here in the 21st Century we're all benefiting from the power of imagination ... think electricity and the Internet as a couple of minor examples.

But not everyone appreciates the potential of it.

One of my business mentors is a great businessman but a lousy visionary. While he's very adept at making money and showing others how to, he says he's never had an original idea in his life--likely a minor exaggeration--and is proud of it. Why? Because it's too dangerous. Financially that is.

On the other hand, startup evangelist Guy Kawasaki recommends that we make meaning as opposed to make money.

The ideal scenario of course is to create both. If all you want to do is make money, I would suggest that putting your heart and soul--not to mention your blood, sweat, tears and every resource you have--into creating something is probably not a good idea for you. BUT, if you have a burning desire to make a dream a reality, to make your mark on the world in a positive way, then I say - live dangerously! Hey, you're a long time dead, and YOUR brilliant idea may just change the world. It may also make you very, very rich.

Life is for living. Money comes and goes, but fulfillment lasts a lifetime. And while the things that money can bring are wonderful, on its own it really doesn't stack up. NOTHING can bring a greater feeling of success and fulfillment than persuing and realising a burning desire; it's the ultimate on the success continuum. Mother Nature was extremely clever in her design - she gave you a very good reason to follow your heart.

For those of you who just can't leave well enough alone - welcome to my little shop of horrors...

(That's Princess Agatha overseeing production.)

"Life's a game" was a favourite saying of a former manager of mine. He was a great guy but that saying used to irritate the widgets out of me because I thought it trivialised life.

It's ironic that I ended up creating a board game. I still don't agree entirely with that saying, but I do agree that games imitate life; or rather that the way we behave in games is a direct reflection of the way we behave in life. This is the reason why playing games can teach us so much about ourselves. It's also why games are so popular - it's a form of simulation.

Looking back, one of the things that strikes me is that creating something is not exactly sexy work, which I guess is the reason why so many people fall out of love with their idea and dump it. BUT, if you do go the distance, then after you've become a huge success, suddenly the story becomes very sexy.

For me there were moments of pure exhilaration, and they are indescribable. But for the most part, it's bloody hard work. A lot of the time it's like trying to make your way through a maze blind-folded. I think it's the combination of the love of the chase and that compelling feeling that you must do it that gets you to the finish line. Turns out that Edison had a point: "Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine".

But does it have to be that way?

Actually no, it doesn't.

Once upon a time coming up with a knock-out idea, then creating it and getting it successfully to market was a little shop of horrors.

But now we know there are specific methods for making the process much, much easier. You can now directly harness the innovator, the alchemist and the entrepreneur within AND dramatically increase your chances of success.

Sound good? Then let's jump right in...

Much has been written on how to come up with your ground-breaking idea.

From everything I've read and personally experienced, essentially there appears to be two main routes. Both can get you there, but one is like driving across country in first gear while the other is like taking a jumbo jet.

Allow me to explain...

I call these two methods the scientific approach and the creative approach.

1. The scientific approach is through logical deduction. That is, determine what to create by identifying possible options and then working through a process of elimination as determined by a number of factors including: personal interest, relevance, viability in the marketplace, probability of success.

This method can and does work, particularly if you are guided through it by a good coach or instructor. The downside is, it can be tedious. And even worse, it can be extremely limiting. There are many things you will not see or consider using this method.

I've applied this method at various times in my life and had minimal success. Many people do, but I wasn't one of them.

2. The creative approach engages the use of the creative mind; otherwise known as the unconscious or the subconscious. Contrary to what we've traditionally been taught, everyone is creative, just in different ways.

Whether you realise it or not, your brain is an extremely powerful device; it is more powerful than any computer on Earth. And when you effectively engage the use of it, "magic" can and does happen. And yes, you can learn how, and I'm going to show you how to.

But first, let me illustrate a point...

I used the creative method for coming up with my idea by accident. Meaning, I didn't know that I was doing it. Some time after creating my game I found out about the power of the unconscious and began studying it. Much of my own experience, which had previously baffled me, suddenly made sense.

Want to know how it happened?

Let me preface this by saying that this process will happen differently for every individual. However, this method will work for you at any given point in your life - particularly when you learn how to do it.

But first, how it happened for me.

My idea came to me when a series of seemingly unrelated events all culminated at the same time. Firstly, I reached what I now call my "critical point". Completely fed up with my life I made several decisions, and one of them was to find a business of my own and head in a direction that would give me the kind of life I truly wanted. Secondly, I was fascinated by a number of issues around relationships; it had become like a personal interest study of mine and I thought about it often. And lastly, for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to find my purpose - and I searched high and low!

A number of business opportunities soon came my way, none of which appealed to me. Although resolute in my decision, I wasn't in a hurry and didn't methodically investigate lots of options. Then about five months later, in February 2005, I had an idea which changed my life. It captivated me in a way that I cannot explain, effectively hi-jacked my life, and took me down a path of tremendous challenge and rewarding self-discovery. Every moment has been fascinating, and I've never felt more alive.

I've always said that this idea found me, not the other way around. Had I sat down and logically tried to deduce what business I truly wanted, never in a million years would I have come up with the idea of creating a social board game.

Such is the power of your 'creative mind'. If you allow it to work for you, you will amaze yourself. I guarantee it.

The point is, if you learn to use your mind in the way that Mother Nature intended, you will be rewarded handsomely. It's as simple as that.

But sadly, most people are completely unaware of the enormous power of the 'machine' between their ears. We're like infants behind the controls of a sophisticated spacecraft. And this is truly a tragedy.

However, I believe that over the next quarter century there will be a wide-spread global awakening to the realisation of the true power of the human brain. It's already well under way, so it's only a matter of time.

If we pay attention, it's mind-blowing to think of what our world could look like in the 22nd Century.

I've done a lot of research on this topic and can say with confidence that this program is head and shoulders above anything I've come across for learning how to harness the power of your unconscious to create whatever you want.

How To Get Lots of Money For Anything Fast!

Author, Stuart Lichtman, really didn't do the book justice with it's title. Although advertised as an e-book, it's actually an entire program, including audios, that will walk you step-by-step to achieving anything you want.

One of the things I love about Stuart's system is that it's all completely measurable, both in terms of the time it takes and the outcomes achieved. You will determine EXACTLY what you're going to achieve and WHEN you're going to achieve it.

Whether it's generating money, finding your ideal partner, coming up with your big idea, or whatever your heart desires, Stuart's unique processes will lead you to what it is you want. And once you learn these processes, you can use them again and again throughout your life. You will know exactly how to achieve anything you want.

Many people have had incredible success using these processes and I too have had some amazing results.

The package includes an array of additional bonuses, one of which is called, How To Come Up With Million Dollar Ideas.

Here's that link again.

How To Get Lots of Money For Anything Fast!

For those who want massive success, Stuart also offers a personal 18-week coaching program. I have done the program and can highly recommend the effectiveness of these processes.

The next course starts in September, and you can find out more here:

Super Achiever Coaching Program

May all of your most impossible dreams come true!

The Subconscious is the threshold between the Unconscious mind and the Conscious mind. Very often people use the term Subconscious when they mean Unconscious.

Although the Unconscious governs our entire life, we are not consciously aware of it. This is why most people think it's their Conscious mind running the show. This is incorrect - the programs that run in our Unconscious govern everything we do. For instance, often we think one thing but do another. So, we might think about exercising every morning for the next week, but then sleep in instead. That's your Unconscious operating.

But now you can learn how to change those programs to get the results you want - in any and every area of your life. Stuart's program is one of them, and certainly the most comprehensive that I've come across, but there are many others which you should find easily by doing a search.

Never before in the history of humankind have people had access to this kind of information. What an extraordinary and exciting time to be alive!

Essentially, invention may be accidental while innovation is always planned.

Not everyone wants to be an inventor in the traditional sense, but innovation can be a part of everyone's life and/or business. And in fact, needs to be. A core function of our role as a species is to create.

For me, the difference between the two shows up like this: With innovation you drive the idea as part of a plan. When inventing, usually, the idea drives you!

We can draw a parallel here with the scientific and creative methods. You could look at innovation as the scientific approach, while inventing usually requires a creative approach.

Innovation Tools is an A to Z for everything innovation. An excellent resource site where you'll find a host of resources including, tools and techniques, articles, software, product guides, and a blog. Stay in touch by signing up for their newsletter. I get it and it's always packed full of gems.

How To Mind Map is an excellent reference for understanding mind maps and how to make them work for you. Check out his amazing mind maps.

Developing Talent is the best blog I've found for learning about creativity in all its forms, and how you can develop it.