HOW TO BECOME INNOVATIVE PART TWO

Welcome back to the second part of the article” How to become innovative”

This time round we are going to learn how to capture our own new ideas. Innovativeness is a skill that is developed over time and it requires dedication in order for one to do the best he/she can to bring out a wonderful idea.

This therefore means that one is supposed to acquire a new discipline of innovators that will help him/her to easily capture the brilliant idea that always run through the mind.

Below are the 10 steps to follow in order to acquire the innovator’s discipline
1. Change your routines

Research has shown that fixed routine is a great creativity killer. In order to become more creative and innovative, you need not stick to the same routine each day. Change anything you can change in your daily activities. Try to do the same things in a different way.
2. Dedicate free time for creative thinking

This will help your mind to relax from all the day’s stress hence triggering the creative power within you 
3. Do a daily brainstorming session on anything during your free time

For example, you can think of how to improve on the waste management process. With such a thought, you write whatever idea that comes to your mind after which you rate them starting from the hardest to the easiest. The diamonds are found in the hardest ones
4. Do not stop at the first answer to any question

You will with me that there are so many unique approaches to a common challenge but each with a unique advantage over the other. That means that your answer can be one of those helpful approaches that are uniquely important. To master this step, you need to be always open minded towards any answer that crosses your mind. 
5.  Apply focus to your brainstorming

Once you are in the habit of thinking creatively, start narrowing brainstorming to a focused question targeted at your business/ career. 
6.  Notice assumptions

To find assumptions ask yourself; why can’t I do this idea? How do I know that that reason is still true?  What would it look like if it wasn’t true? 
7.  Rank your ideas to find one worth pursuing

Have everyone in your work team help you rank them. The good ideas will become obvious. 
8.  Get rid of your limiting beliefs

One of the things that kills creativity and prevents innovation is limiting beliefs.

Limiting beliefs prevent you from seeing possibilities and the result is being stuck in a certain reality without trying to change it.

You can do the following to get rid of your limiting beliefs;

a)      Never let “ not enough resources” stop you

Not enough money, time or people is actually a good thing “Forces you into creative new processes.

Getting all the resources you think you need leads you to work in the same old bomb Mc kinney says

b)      Overcome fear of failure

In order to become more creative and innovative, you need to keep trying and failing. Creativity is all about doing a few wrong things until you come across the right thing. If you fear failure of if you fear taking risks then you will always be stuck in your comfort zone and you will never become creative.

c)       Ignore self-doubt

You will have it. Good ideas are hard work. Your first to the tenth try may be imperfect but that does not mean that you stop. 


9.  Learn to observe

Sometime observing other people can inspire you and lead you to innovate and become creative.

Contrary to common beliefs, you won’t be stealing people’s ideas when you observe them instead you will be adding pieces of information from here and there together until you come up with something totally new. 
10.   Beware of the “ corporate antibodies”

Eventually, your idea will need some champions in your work team. To get them, you will have to close your ears to the no Sayers.