Does your business need original ideas?

Here are some ideas to unleash your creativity. Innovation is the life of every successful company. For many companies, the pursuit of original ideas lacks a key element (something typically not associated with business professionals): creativity.

Nurturing your creativity is the only way to unlock your strategic mind and make your business skills have a new way to benefit your organization. Here are 10 tips to help you unlock your creativity at work:

image by HIVAN ARVIZU @soyhivan via Unsplash

1. Get visual. No matter what your role or responsibilities, visualizing data and ideas is a very powerful tool to make your team think. Leave the phone, go to a room (a virtual room also works) and use a white board until your hand hurts.

2. Throw the rule book. The next time you join your team for a brainstorm, create and reinforce a session "without limitations." Nothing is rejected, nothing is outside the "realm of possibility." Avoid words and phrases such as "but," "how could we" and "cannot." If necessary, designate someone to help avoid them and for everyone to be honest.

3. Work the other way around. Imagine the goal or the ideal scenario. From 10 to 15 years ahead. Start there and work in reverse. Do not worry about the "how." Focus on the “what”, your travel map will literally unfold alone.

4. Make this a game. At the beginning of your meeting try a game. To make the juices of creativity flow. Have everyone write a random idea and put it in the center of the table. Choose one of them and build it. Or change roles. Ask those who are gathered: "If you were me, how would you solve this problem?"

5. Write absolutely everything. No idea is too small or too crazy. Anything can have potential value for your business. You never know what word or phrase will illuminate the following, which can lead to your great idea later. Write it all down. Find a place to keep them displayed like a board.

6. Take mental breaks. Many business leaders see social networks and other sites as distracting, rather than recognizing them for what they really are: mental breaks. It is virtually impossible to nurture creativity in a tired brain. Doing this is key to developing the creative side of employees.

7. Take a trip to happy hour. We usually spend our business days chained to our coffee cups. But did you know what a small amount of alcohol can do to your brainstorm? A single beer can relax your brain, causing you to focus less on negative things and you probably won't throw away your thoughts. The next time you need a good brainstorm, find the nearest happy hour and get to work.

8. Get physical. Participating in a physical activity can help you unlock your creative mind, particularly if your work is sedentary. Go out for a run, walk, ride a bike or whatever suits you (I do motocross). This will relax your mind and then you can attack problems or ideas with a fresh brain. Inspiration can reach halfway.

9. Play with your strengths. It is common to have false ideas that creativity only exists in people with creative and analytical roles. In fact, any skill can be used creatively. Are you a genius in Excel? Write your ideas on a spreadsheet, categorize them and see how the brainstorm comes.

10. Take out the words. The hardest part of the session, whether alone or in a group, is to make the ball roll. The easiest solution? Just talk. Or write. Start to take out the words or write them on paper even if they don't make sense at first. It has to do with overcoming that initial obstacle so that ideas begin to flow.