Creative thinking isn’t always front-of-mind in business, but it can help solve problems through brainstorming, flexibility, originality and imagination.
The ability to think creatively is essential in today’s fast-paced business world. If you’re able to regularly tap into your creativity and come up with innovative ideas, you’re likely to be streets ahead of your competition.
Here are some tips to stimulate your creative thinking:
Teamwork
Get your team together (or gather friends and associates if you don’t have a team), take time out – away from all distractions – and brain storm! Firstly, come up with a list of issues you need to address, then one at a time, discuss each issue openly without dismissing any suggestions at first – explore every option.
Customer Focus
Take a close look at your current customers. Draw up a profile of your “typical” customer and assess how you serve them now. Think of ways you can serve them better – or ASK them how you can via a survey.
Meditate
Don’t knock it if you’ve never tried it! Get yourself a guided meditation to start. You can do just 10-15 minutes each day, focusing on one issue each time. It’s amazing what new ideas you can come up with.
Exercise
No, it’s not a dirty word. Exercise stimulates the body and brain, getting the blood and creative juices flowing. If you’re not into the gym or boot camp, just go for a walk in pleasant surroundings.
Tap into your hobby
Take time away from your business to get out into nature, do some gardening, paint, draw or take photos. These creative activities can stimulate your thinking within the business.
Get colourful
Get out the paper and coloured pencils and draw a mind map by placing the issue in the centre of the page and exploring a range of options. Use a different colour for each option.
Study your competitors
Check out how they’re doing things. The idea is NOT to copy them, it’s to look closely at what they’re doing and work out how YOU can do it better, much better!
Once you’ve given any and all these ideas a try, you’ll be well on your way to enhancing your creative thinking. I hope, in some small way, this article has helped to bring creativity alive in your business.
