Advice on How to Be More Innovative & Creative
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- Be a perpetual innovator – someone who seeks
out, adapts, and implements ideas – new or old. Actively look
for ideas by reading, skipping, skimming through many periodicals, books,
reports, catalogs, the Internet, etc. Also:
Experiment
Search files
Travel |
Brainstorm
Have discussions
Sense felt needs |
Attend conferences & exhibits
Use computer idea programs
Browse through stores, etc |
- Change your behavior and self-image. Be progressive,
develop necessary attributes and motivation. Develop a love for new
ideas, new things, new ways, new technologies, new systems. Put your
ideas in writing.
- Take action! Have the courage and self-confidence
to be an innovator. Dare to be different! Failure will occur –
but we learn from our mistakes. Emotions can aid creativity –
control stress. Be persistent.
- Welcome change and challenge of problems –
be open-minded, flexible.
- Apply ideas to every facet of your life – your
personal affairs, career, school, business – everywhere. Always
ask: In what alternative and better ways can it be done? Generate innovative
and creative solutions, ideas, concepts, and theories. Develop a sense
of humor. Be sensitive to opportunities. Use checklists.
- Study innovation, change, and creativity as well
as how to win idea acceptance. Educate yourself. Take any courses available.
Develop a passion for your problem. Learn to be a good team member,
leader, and perpetual innovator.
- Be curious and observant. Develop a spirit of inquiry.
This is the way to originate problems. Practice using the complete method
of creative problem solving. Avoid constraints on your thinking. Spot
key factors.
- Ask What? Why? Which? Where? When? Who? How? If?
Constantly reflect on all aspects of your problems. Don’t pre-judge
ideas too soon. Don’t let your ego stop you from saying, “I
goofed!”
- Develop your reflective thinking ability and thinking skills.
Daydream about your problem. Jump back and forth among logical, critical,
judicial, imaginative, and wild thinking. Improve through study and
practice.
- Build your knowledge and intuition base through reading
and other activities. Keep neat files. Learn how to research, to visualize,
and to use rest illumination.
- With a loaded mind, use triggers to stimulate ideas,
insight, and illumination. Utilize activities listed in #1 above to
trigger your storehouse of memories.
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