Imagination and creative thinking are critical for entrepreneurs because they lead to innovation.
- Creativity and innovation are similar but not the same.
- Creativity is being able to see brand new ideas or the connection between two unrelated things. Whereas innovation is about taking those ideas and turning them into new products or processes.
- Creativity involves flexing your imagination, and innovation has to do with execution.
It’s okay if you don’t feel that you are overly creative; you just need to practice. Getting more creative is like any other form of exercise- you’ve got to work on beefing up those imagination muscles to get stronger. The more you focus on it, the more creative you’ll become.
Also, creativity and pushing one’s imagination are vital for female entrepreneurs because they are the main movers and shakers at their startups.
How to Foster It?
So, what should you do? There are some best practices for becoming more creative and growing your imagination. Why not try to take a new way to work or to the grocery store? Find a silly idea and figure out if there is anything good about it. Take one of your daily tasks and uncover a novel way to complete it. Putting a fresh spin on your everyday routine stimulates your imagination and your creativity.
Hit Pause Every Now and Again
When you’re working on your business or starting something new, giving yourself a quick break or getting some fresh air will provide you with an inspirational lift. Those few minutes off-task reset your brain. You should also set aside some time every day for creative activities that let your imagination run wild- you can paint, sculpt, write, play the piano, or whatever you want- it will spark the innovative part of your mind and your ingenuity. Even daydreaming is useful in this regard. Try to keep bringing in new knowledge through classes, webinars, and more. When you learn, you grow, and your vision and imagination expand.
Emphasize Self-Care
Be sure to take care of yourself too- eat healthily, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water. It will allow you to have more energy and help your brain perform better. Don’t forget to take breaks too and give yourself plenty of downtimes.
Write More
Another great habit is to write whenever you can- be it an article, some light journaling, or something for fun. Writing stimulates your inventive juices and helps you explore ideas more deeply. Challenge yourself by writing something that is outside of your expertise- you’ll learn and grow in the process.
Mix It Up
It never hurts to get a change in scenery, so mix up your everyday atmosphere, too. When you are somewhere new, you move out of your comfort zone. If you work in a home office, try to go to a café or outdoor spot every now and again- laptop in tow. You can also turn on some music, write out your ideas with a pen and paper, or use your hands to disrupt your logical thinking.
Endeavor to make whatever you are doing a game to keep it fresh and fun, stimulating your imagination in the process.
Why not dedicate a special space in your home for ingenuity and letting your ideas flow- maybe an entire room or just a spot in the corner? Be sure that no matter what, you give yourself some time for a release- to kayak, take a walk or read. Even moving to a new spot in the room can help change things up. Let your mind wander and see where it takes you.
Put in the Time
Dedicate some time every day for brainstorming- you have to keep pushing your startup forward in terms of innovation and customer service. Make it a part of your culture and reward brainstorming and creativity when you see them. Thinking outside of the box will take both you and your startup to the next level, and you set the example at the helm of your business.
Stay Positive and Play
It’s also critical that you learn to look at the bright side of things as that will help you stay inspired. If you feel yourself getting down, do whatever you can to give yourself a mood boost. Work on some creative thinking exercises like completing pictures, puzzles, and coming up with new words and phrases. Coupled with your brainstorming activities, these best practices will push the needle. You should ensure that you are incorporating at least half an hour of creative thinking into your day as well. Draw, doodle, and do what you can to become a more successful and disruptive fempreneur.
Make It Happen
As a female founder, it’s important to do all you can to boost your imagination and innovation as you need to keep disrupting and working to entice customers, compete with competitors and show up as the best version of yourself! So, go out there and build your creative skills and watch your business flourish.
