How to get a new idea?

I was planning to do a new thing (out of compulsion). I wanted to think of what the new thing is. I could not get any sensible idea. I am now wondering - how a new idea would come up?
After some thoughts, I have concluded that a new idea cannot crop up by force. If you needed something and that something is not available, then you think of some new way to get that something.
Once upon a time I wanted a on-line radio search. I wanted to search a radio station which is playing the song I wanted. So far no success here..