Tips on Fostering Creativity in Any Industry

Anyone can foster more creativity in the workplace by following a few of the following tips.

Go Outside

Typical offices stifle creativity. Companies have steep hierarchies and bureaucratic processes. Oftentimes, a company’s human resources department asks workers to wear collared shirts and polished shoes, and many people in these environments are afraid to challenge the status quo. By taking brief walks, employees can think more freely. They can sit on park benches and take a break from work. Sometimes, the best ideas come when people are not actively thinking. By daydreaming, people begin to question unique possibilities.

Write Your Thoughts Down

Thinking does not always have to be complicated. People can make sense of the voices in their heads by jotting everything down on a notepad. Writing helps people organize their thoughts. Instead of writing in complete sentences, they can create outlines and draw flowcharts. By having tangential thoughts, people can look at things from new perspectives.

Study Pictures

Pictures foster creativity because they can be interpreted in different ways. Artists create works on blank canvases and let the audience decide what they are. This encourages people to look at small details and think about their significance to the overall creation. People can look at pictures that are relevant to their industries. They can visit art museums or simply browse images on Instagram. By zooming in, they can think about new ways to solve problems and drive innovation.

Work in Teams

Sophisticated ideas emerge when people brainstorm together. Do not underestimate the power of collective knowledge. By discussing different ideas, people can give each other instant feedback and can quickly come up with possible solutions to problems. They can also test each idea since there are lots of people available. Effective teams have people who complement each other’s skillsets.

Get Some Rest

People have difficulty thinking when they are sleep deprived. They flip to a fresh page in their notebook and try writing. However, nothing comes to mind regardless of how hard they try. Creativity cannot happen when the brain has no energy for thinking. Therefore, companies must make sure their workers are getting enough sleep.

People who use some of these tips will sharpen their creative muscles and become valuable workers.

Originally published at http://daviddevries.co.