The Power of Noticing: Finding Content Gold in Daily Life
People often ask where I get my ideas for content. I write a lot about AI and digital marketing trends and strategies, but most of my best ideas don’t show up when I’m glued to a screen. They turn up in the middle of daily life—when I’m out walking, chatting to someone, or just paying attention to what’s happening around me.
The posts that land hardest, the ones people actually mention back to me, usually start with something real. A question from a client. A throwaway comment in a café. Something odd I spot on a walk. It’s rarely the stuff I plan out in detail.
Where Inspiration Actually Hides
Some of my strongest content ideas come from quick chats, random observations, or something unexpected in the news. The trick is noticing those sparks instead of brushing them off. I keep a scruffy notebook or a notes app handy. Tools like Evernote or Notion are great for this. If something catches my attention—even if it seems random—I jot it down. Most of it never becomes content, but every so often, there’s a gem in there.
Walking helps. When I’m moving, my mind has more space for ideas to drift in. In fact, a Stanford study found that walking boosts creative inspiration significantly. I’ve solved more content blocks on the move than I ever have at my desk.
Listening and Real Conversations
A lot of inspiration comes from just talking to people. Not just business talk, but honest, everyday conversations. When you really listen, you pick up on what people are actually dealing with or thinking about. That’s the stuff that ends up connecting with your audience and forming a solid content strategy.
If you’re ever stuck for content, try listening a bit more than you talk next time you’re out. You’ll pick up things you’d never spot scrolling online.
Mixing Trends With Real Life
I keep up with AI and digital marketing trends, but I don’t just repeat whatever’s trending. I ask, “Does this actually matter for my clients or for my own work?” Sometimes the best content comes from blending something happening in the wider world with something that happened to me that week. That’s when advice feels real, not recycled. A great resource for finding what people are searching for is Ahrefs’ guide to finding content ideas.
As a side note, I find the same thing happens with songwriting. Sometimes a lyric or a hook comes from the same kind of daily details.
Simple Habits That Help
I give myself permission to use small things as content. Not everything has to be a big statement or a marketing masterclass. Sometimes it’s just a single observation or a question that makes people pause.
If I’m really stuck, I get outside. I notice the details—the weather or a bit of overheard conversation. That’s usually enough to get the ideas moving again.
Takeaways for Noticing More
- Inspiration is everywhere, but you have to be present enough to spot it.
- Your actual life is full of stories and moments your audience will relate to.
- Don’t dismiss the small stuff. Sometimes the tiniest observation gets the biggest response.
- Mix what’s happening in your world with what’s happening in the industry. That’s where the best content lives.
- If you’re struggling for ideas, try living a bit more and scrolling a bit less.
If you want to talk about finding your own content gold, or you’re ready to start sharing your story but don’t know where to begin, I’m here.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call—no pitch, no pressure, just a real chat about what’s next for you.
Or check out my latest blog for more honest takes on creativity, business, and digital marketing: Why I’ll Keep Starting Again (And Why You Probably Should Too).
