This was why I started writing about unintended consequences (unintendedconsequenc.es). I'd choose something I became interested in and would try to explain it to myself. I mostly moved on from the topic, but am using this technique for the next thing now. One note about the way that worked for me -- don't write for anyone but yourself. I went as far as to keep my name off what I published for a year so I wouldn't be self-conscious about it.