One significant quality stands out when we consider the shared traits of successful entrepreneurs. They all see the world differently and find innovative, creative ways to solve problems.
Unfortunately for most of us, creativity often feels like it’s lurking just around the corner and you simply can’t reach it. To a good extent, you have to let creativity and inspiration come to you. The more you chase it, the less success you may have in finding it.
Here are simple ways to switch things up and take yourself into account for a change that will help you find inspiration for creative new ideas:
Write it down
Make it habit to go about with a pen and a notepad. You never know where you’ll be when a life-changing idea would strike. Write everything down: Good ideas, bad ideas, laughably terrible ideas, random musings, dreams, everything.
Putting your thoughts on paper makes it easier to go back and find the stroke of genius. It also helps you learn a little bit about how your own brain works.
Create some time away from your business
As an entrepreneur and business owners, especially with start-ups, it is often hard to create some space and time away from the business. Yet, this is important for an individual to get inspired and motivated.
It’s important to to step away at times for clarity and to “recharge your batteries”. Doing physical exercise, having a personal space where you spend time alone and getting up early are a few ways for entrepreneurs to create that space from the business for inspiration.
Read
You won’t find a successful entrepreneur out there who doesn’t spend some of their spare time reading. These people recognize that there is power in the written word for engaging the creative side of the brain and for sparking creative ideas.
Reading is helpful, but remember you shouldn’t focus on your niche alone. When you read topics outside your niche, you see a world of creativity you may not have thought about previously. It’s also important to read some motivational stories of entrepreneurs who have already overcome the challenges you’re facing, or who are going through them currently.
Hit some motivational quotes
In a similar vein to reading entrepreneurial stories, you can search for motivational quotes to keep you going. Look up quotes and interviews of major leaders in the entrepreneurial community.
Most of these will probably register as white noise to you, but if you keep looking, chances are you’ll find at least one quote that really resonates with you on a personal level — enough to re-establish your personal motivation to keep going.
Talk to a Mentor
You can also talk to one of your mentors about what you’re facing, or find a new mentor to help guide you in the entrepreneurial world.
These are people who have far more experience than you, and more perspective on the relatively small challenges and obstacles you’re facing. They’ll be able to give you some practical advice, or at least some coping strategies to rekindle your inner fire.
Remember why you got started
Take a minute to step back and remember why you got started with entrepreneurship in the first place, as it can be easy to lose this in the day-to-day responsibilities of business ownership.
Did you want to lead a team? Are you after unlimited income potential? Realign your focus here, and you’ll get to see your business through fresher, younger eyes.
Exchange ideas with your peers
You may find yourself revitalized simply by talking about your business and the nature of business development with other entrepreneurs in your area.
These are people who share your passion, possibly to an even higher level, and passion is contagious. Surround yourself with these people, and you’ll find yourself naturally more inspired.
What steps do you take to get creative and spark up new ideas?
