In a recent report released by Idea Champions, they asked the public when and where they got their ideas. The study was conducted September through November of 2007. The question asked was where people got their best ideas, and then results were collected via an informal internet poll.
The top ten were:
| Poll Rank | Item Rate | Rating | Catalyst |
| 1 | 1 | 4.08 | When you're inspired |
| 2 | 2 | 3.64 | Brainstorming with others |
| 3 | 3 | 3.48 | When you're immersed in a project |
| 4 | 4 | 3.45 | When you're happy |
| 5 | 5 | 3.55 | Collaborating with a partner |
| 6 | 6 | 3.27 | Daydreaming |
| 7 | 7 | 3.25 | Analyzing a problem |
| 8 | 8 | 3.22 | Driving |
| 9 | 9 | 3.21 | Commuting to and from work |
| 10 | 10 | 3.19 | Reading books in your field |
The survey's top result was not much of a surprise, as people feel inspired when good ideas occur. The report broke the rest of the results up into several categories: social catalysts, solitary innovation, mind states, exertion and stress, motion and stillness and times of the day.
There were five social catalysts ranked in the top 35, showing that working with others leads to many good ideas. However, there were twice as many solitary states in the top 35. Idea Champions believes this is because the brain can take the time to slow down and work through the problem. That's why walking and driving rank so high. Lowest of all categories, exertion and stress, showing that deadlines and pressure don't bode well for coming up with great ideas.