In the competitive world of modern business, creativity is essential to achieving growth and success. However, to effectively and appropriately utilise creativity, we need to ask ourselves the question; what is the point?
Are we trying to make more money? Gain attention? Improve lives? Or are we just doing it for the sake of creativity, without any greater purpose?
It is often the case that the best creative ideas come from a much more holistic place than the desire to make more money or capture more market share. Big ideas tend to come from the desire to contribute to and improve the lives of others by creating something new or repurposing something that already exists so that it improves their quality of life. When you change perceptions about what can be achieved, you contribute to people’s lives in the richest way possible.
The process of getting your creative juices flowing can be as unique as your fingerprint, so it’s really a process of trial and error to find out what works best for you. A number of techniques we find particularly effective that you might want to try are;
Play with it. Whether it be a car, watch, box or piece of paper, move it around, turn it upside down, move it around, try and break it – just feel it and see what it is capable of and how it looks when it’s not being used for it’s intended purpose.
Talk about it. Have a chat to all the people who are involved with the item, from those producing it through to the end user to gain their perspectives on what the item is and how it works. Ask about their experiences with and attitudes towards the item.
Take a break and do something you enjoy. Putting constant pressure on yourself to come up with ideas is a great way to make sure you don’t come up with ideas. Every so often, take a break and do something you really enjoy. Do some exercise, take a stroll, paint my house, have a shower – whatever. These types activities provide distraction and increased levels of dopamine in the brain – two ingredients that have provide a relaxed state of mind which increases creativity.
Studies have also found that moderate levels of noise, low levels of light and (our personal favourite) a low level of alcohol intoxication improves creative problem solving.
Whatever approach you take to creative thinking, once you’re struck with a big idea take some time to think it through and make sure it’s right for you and your brand. You may have the best idea in the world but if it does not align with your brand, you risk damaging what you have already built.