Keep Your Eyes Open – Creative Solutions Are Everywhere
May is Creative Beginning’s month. It’s important that we are all on the same page. Abstract terms like creative thinking can mean different things to different people For the purpose of this short report, we’re talking about creative problem solving and out of the box thinking. This means that you go beyond the obvious answers and come up with something new and unique.
What it doesn’t mean is that you’re thinking about creative pursuits. Creative thinking isn’t really about planning your next craft project or analyzing a piece of art. Those can be helpful and part of your overall creative thinking, but creative thinking goes being using creativity as a form of self-expression. Creative thinking is about coming up with fresh ideas.
As you start to become a little more aware of creative thinking and creative solutions and start to do a little more of it yourself, you’ll start to notice things here and there that you can use and implement. It’s a pretty amazing feeling and, of course, quite helpful when you need an out-of-the-box solution. It’s a skill that will come to you eventually, but why not speed things up a little bit by keeping an eye out for creative solutions. They really are everywhere.
I’m an online business owner and marketer; so naturally, I’m always looking for new and creative ways to share content and present offers. I’m also a shopper or consumer. Some of the things I buy are very specific like supplies for my favorite hobby. Then there’s the everyday stuff like groceries, clothing, and once in awhile, purchases like a new car or washing machine. You get the idea. We all buy a lot of different things and, as a result, we’re bombarded through various advertising, emails, newsletter, magazines, social media posts, and the likes to buy the latest and greatest product.
Since I am also a marketer and always looking for fresh and creative ideas for my business, I started paying attention to what offers grab my attention. What emails am I opening? What Facebook or YouTube video has me go out and look for a product? What makes me laugh or sit up and pay attention? Those are the creative solutions out there that catch my eye.
Often it’s something that has no direct or obvious place in what I do with my business. It could be a tool, crafting supplies, some fun clothes, an interesting offer for some books or magazines, or even a great spin on my weekly grocery advertisement. Something will catch my eye and I figure out how to include it in my own marketing.
Let me give you an example. One of my grocery stores sent out a flyer early this spring with some spring cleaning deals and tips in it. Not only did it inspire me to do a little spring cleaning around my house, it also motivated me to organize and declutter my digital files and emails. That in turn, inspired a new information product and coaching program about cleaning up what you’re doing online to increase profits.
Creative ideas and solutions are everywhere around you. Start to look for them and find a way to incorporate them into what you do. You don’t have to have your own business to benefit from this. Creative thinking will help you around the house, in your marriage, work, school, and any other aspect of your life. Go out there and get creative.
Cultivating A Creative & Positive Thinking Climate Around You
We are affected by our environment. The space we’re in, the sounds we hear, the scents we smell, and the people we surround ourselves with all have an impact on how we feel, act, and think. If you want to get better at creative and positive thinking, you should make sure you create and cultivate an environment and climate that promotes and fosters just that.
Let’s look at Google as an example. They have some of the most creative and upbeat teams on the planet. Google comes up with ideas and concepts no one else has even thought of, and they do so consistently and continually. They do it by creating a corporate culture and climate that makes it fun and easy to come up with creative and crazy ideas no one else has thought of.
While you don’t have to go as far as Google has gone, you should give some serious thought to your environment and the climate you create around you. This could apply to your surroundings, your workspace, your home, and even the people around you including team members, employees, and family.
Start with the things that put you in a good mood. Maybe it’s a nice sunny room or a dark office with no distractions. Maybe it’s a plant on your desk or a fun poster on the wall. Maybe it’s sitting in a recliner instead of at a desk or being able to hop on the treadmill throughout your day to get the blood pumping and the endorphins going.
Then, think about what helps you think. Maybe it’s having something to fidget with. Maybe it’s going for a walk outside or listening to a particular type of music. You know yourself and what works for you. What does it take to get you into the zone where work becomes easy and you have your best ideas? What puts you in a good mood? Those are the things you want to surround yourself with.
Start small and keep adding to it. Keep working on it and encourage the people around you to do the same. Slowly but surely, you’ll change the climate of your office, your home, or wherever you are into a most positive and creative one.
Before long, you’ll start to notice a change in yourself and those around you. The nice thing is that this type of change is contagious. The creativity and positivity will bounce from you to the people around you and back. Before you know it, positive and creative thinking will be the new norm, and there’s no telling where that will take you.
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