When Creativity And Innovation Needs A Boost

I don’t know if you are like me, but I quite often come up with my best ideas in the middle of the night and my mind just starts working hard on an idea. Come the daytime, sometimes my creativity seems at a low, and I cannot get the same creative juices flowing.

Are you the same? Do you struggle to be creative when you most want to be? If so, here are some suggestions that may assist you in solving a problem, or to try a fresh approach at a particular issue.

Get the blood flowing with exercise

Any sort of exercise such as jogging or working with weights will start blood flowing through your veins. This will ensure that your brain receives a fresh flow of blood which it thrives on. It doesn’t have to be strenuous, in fact better that it doesn’t drain you physically, just pick some form of exercise that will rejuvenate you and get your heart pumping.

Be precise about your thinking

Make sure you give your brain precise instructions on what you are thinking about, and the outcome you would like to achieve. That way you are more likely to come up with the correct procedure to reach your solution. Rather than think you’ve got to save money this month, think how you are going to save £100 into your savings account before the next pay day. Your brain will work better when you ask it how to lose 6 pounds this month rather than just losing weight in general. By giving precise instructions you are setting parameters and becoming focussed.

Think outside the box

A much used phrase, but what does it really mean? Write down any crazy idea to a problem, and see if your brain will come up with a solution linked to that idea.

An example may be how to increase customers to a fashion shop. Simple ideas will include adverts in newspapers or money off vouchers. But now think outside the box and what do you come up with?

For some reason your brain tells you to use a mime artist. How can someone that doesn’t speak attract customers? Well, why not have a window display with live models and a dj instead to attract passers by?

Maybe you can’t persuade a super model to endorse your clothes, but how about a catwalk show in your local mall?

Thinking outside the box may not lead you to a solution immediately, but it may well come up with a connected idea that will be different from your competition and will catch the awareness of new customers.

It’s important not to try too many things at once. Take on your best idea, try it, see the results, tweak it, and see what effects the changes make. Give it a chance to come to fruition. If it works then great, continue acting upon it. If not, then take your next best idea and see if that provides the solution you were aiming for