4 minute read

12 Ideas to Stimulate Creativity in 2022

Increase creativity by implementing productive habits.

Ambiguity is designed for creativity, and so far, as we look toward 2022 it appears to have a lot of ambiguity. Experience demonstrates that the creative process and entrepreneurship are a match. We must create a courageous vision and strategy for your organization, be persistent on business development, and monitor the details and infrastructure of your annual business plan. The most productive way to keep an eye on all three skills is to focus on creative measures.

Here are 12 creative ideas for you and your co-workers. When put in action with enthusiasm and objectivity, they can generate remarkable outcomes.

1. Plan retreats.

When was the last time you got your team out of the office for a retreat? Or have you ever? Retreats do not have to cost a ton of money and time. Organize small scale, low dollar, monthly half day retreats.

2. Walk five-minutes every day.

Our bodies are made to move. Our circulatory system sends oxygen to the brain and a short break, and a change of scenery, can be all that it takes to deliver the next best idea. Dive in; you’ll enjoy and be surprised by the inspiration that will come over you during a short walk.

3. Add a hobby.

Is there a fun idea you have had for a while? What skill or new hobby have you been thinking about? Begin learning it and accept how awful you are in the beginning through laughter. Develop a sense of humor about yourself by investigating, being inventive, and using your instincts.

4. Sprint.

When faced with a monumental task, do not block hours and hours to work on it. Rather, be productive by using 30-minute sprints. Shut down your phone. Eliminate tempting items from view, even beverages from your desk, and just hammer it out. Afterwards, always reward yourself with your favorite drink, check in on a family member or best friend, or even spend a few minutes focused only on your pet.

5. Get out of your comfort zone.

Sign up for a webinar in a totally different concentration than your own. You will leave with two outcomes: modifications on a related approach in a very different context, and a completely brand new approach to attack a related problem that your organization currently faces.

6. Redesign your time.

Are you running from meeting to meeting? Doing so causes stress. It also means you are stuck in a reactionary mindset, killing any creative process. Attempt to reserve periods of time on your calendar for quiet, dedicated work without interruption and meetings getting in the way.

7. Redecorate your work environment.

Like many of us, if you are still working from home, or have been provided a flexible schedule, make a pledge to redesign your workspace for focused work so you do not have any distractions. Therefore, zero arts and crafts, dirty dishes, or treadmills.

8. Go play.

Kids should not be the only ones who get to play. When we play, we perform executive purpose skills such as cooperation, compromising, listening, and foreshadowing what is coming next. Therefore, integrate play time into your work culture.

9. Use foresight.

Using foresight exercises requires us to think months in advance. Pretend a project has been unsuccessful. Call for your team to produce a list of all that went poorly. Foreshadowing problems creates solutions in the now.

10. Schedule a recess.

Deliberately plan for your entire organization to take a break when conference calls, Zoom and in-person meetings are not scheduled. These moments together will bring out comradery and moments or laughter.

11. Host a Show and Tell.

Bring in or ask experienced leaders to share memories of initiatives that failed and succeeded in the past. Request that young and new employees prepare questions and share ideas they have considered. This activity builds an environment of trust hyper focused on creativity.

12. Routinely take a break.

It may feel unproductive at first but taking a scheduled break will enhance your productivity level. Plan for breaks between meetings and scheduled tasks to get out into a different environment and away from your office.