Tips of the Trade: “Jumpstart Your Creativity”

By Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach

As a small business coach, I specialize in helping people in the promotional products industry shorten the learning curve and boost their sales quickly.

One of the frequent challenges I hear from my coaching clients is “I need some new ideas; I’m stuck and I’m not very creative.” If that sounds like you, read on...

This is a unique industry in which creativity is a valued part of our everyday existence. Yet, all of us, myself included, sometimes experience those mental blocks where, no matter how hard we try, we can’t generate a new or creative solution.

Whether you’re working on new ideas for a current client, looking for innovative ways to generate business or facing a challenging workplace problem, fresh creative thinking can help you achieve your objectives more quickly. Studies have shown that all of us have the ability to be creative thinkers. Given the proper stimulation, those ideas will flow.

Do you need a break through? Here are six smart ways to jumpstart your creative juices:

1. Take a Break

This may sound counter intuitive, but sometimes the most productive thing to do is step away from the problem in order to move closer to a solution. Go for a long walk, read a book, work out at the gym, take a shower; do something that takes you away from the challenging task. Anything to clear your head and get a fresh perspective.

2. Keep An Idea Journal

I like to carry a notepad with me at all times. Some of my most creative ideas come when I’m miles from the office, both literally and figuratively. I may be sitting in the dentist’s waiting room or stuck in traffic, but when inspiration hits, I have my notepad and pen with me to record my thoughts. I also keep a notepad on my night table for middle-of-the-night inspirations.