Advertising Quote by David Ogilvy
“Big ideas come from the unconscious. This is true in art, in science, and in advertising. But your unconscious has to be well informed, or your idea will be irrelevant. Stuff your conscious mind with information, then unhook your rational thought process. You can help this process by going for a long walk, or taking a hot bath, or drinking half a pint of claret. Suddenly, if the telephone line from your unconscious is open, a big idea wells up within you.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Confessions of an Advertising Man, 1963
Creative breakthroughs arise when a well‑fed unconscious mind connects ideas, often triggered by relaxed activities that quiet rational thought.
In simple terms: Ideas come from a prepared unconscious, especially when relaxed.
Key Takeaway
Feed your mind, then relax to unlock ideas.
Themes
creativity
unconscious
information
relaxation
Mood
curious
inspired
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- taking walks
- hot baths
- reading
- listening to music
- mindful breaks
Key Concepts
advertising
psychology
idea generation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure your unconscious is well‑fed?
- What relaxation technique works best for you?
A Different Perspective
If the unconscious is poorly informed, the idea may be irrelevant or misguided.
![“When you're writing a book, it's rather like going on a very long walk, across valleys and mountains and things [...] The highest mountain on the walk is obviously the end of the book, because it's got to be the best view of all, when everything comes together and you can look back and see that…” quote by Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07a/roald-dahl-899_being-the-best_when-you-re-writing-a-book-it-s-rather-l_1102879.jpg)
