But in the world of ideas it can happen like that suddenly an idea is in us, and it surprises us. This is still an unanswerable question. I can tell you where I got the idea to start a publishing house for contemporary music. I got the idea in the bathtub. It happens this way a lot.
Good ideas come from the tub.
And other times of deep relaxation. When we are undisturbed, and open. We are relaxed, daydreaming perhaps, and in pops an idea. Thinking harder seldom helps. If a decision is a good one, there comes a time when a line is crossed, where the causes give way to necessity.