What's the Big Idea? Feeling stuck in a rut? Rethink your predicament, make a plan, and succeed.

Jack felt burnt out--his constant marketing had produced minimalprogress and few customers. He tried multiple advertising tactics,including networking and asking for referrals as his business bookssuggested. However, he was missing his "big idea"--theone formula that would generate numerous qualified leads.

Opening himself up to new ideas, Jack held a brainstormingsession with a few professionals he trusted. His colleagueshonestly told him of their difficulties referring business to himbecause they could not understand the benefit his product offered.Instead of traditional advertising, they recommended that he speakat large gatherings of his target market, explain his product andthen answer questions about it.

Using the Yellow Pages, Jack found Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs andwomen's business associations where he could clarify and markethis product. His sales zoomed as each speaking engagement producedsix or more new clients.

As BIZ Experiencess, we sometimes get stuck in certain routinesthat have worked for us in the past. Here's how to re-energizeyour efforts and find one or two of your own big ideas.

1. Restate your current challenge as a question. Insteadof complaining about a lack of new customers, simply write,"How can I easily find 50 new customers for my business?"Be specific. Once people understand your need, they can provide youwith unique solutions or refer you to experienced people who cangive you the answers you seek.

2. Research solutions online. Type your question into asearch engine, and discover how others have overcome the challengeyou face. Expand your search by finding relatedarticles--journalists uncover many big ideas during theirinterviews with experts. Try using FindArticles.com,or type the word "article" after your search inquiry.

3. Conduct a monthly idea party with colleagues. Peoplelove to feel smart, so let them share their success secrets. Gathermonthly with a group of colleagues to exchange new ideas. Duringthe meeting, have each person ask a question about a currentchallenge they face. The other group members can then share theirunique success strategies.

4. Don't feel overwhelmed by information. Don'tanalyze or judge any ideas when they are first presented; justrecord them. When you return to your office, choose the one youthink fits best with your goal and personality, and then testit.

Becoming open to new ideas takes lots of practice. Many peoplethink asking for help shows others that they are weak. It'squite the opposite--the ideas you form will help energize yourbusiness's growth and will strengthen your resolve.

Editor's note: Looking for our "Countdown toStartup" series? We've compiled it into one easy-to-usefeature. Click hereto read it.

Speaker and consultant Romanus Wolter, aka "The Kick StartGuy," is author of Kick Start Your Dream Business.