10 Ways to Boost Your Creativity and Innovate Thinking

Whether you’re trying to figure out how you can launch your business idea on a tight budget, outmaneuver your competitors, attract more clients, or simply enjoy more free time without sacrificing income, an increased ability to innovate and think creatively is invaluable.

Check out these 10 ways to increase your ability to innovate and find creative solutions for your business by challenging your brain to think in new ways.

1. Exercise

Regular exercise has not only been shown to increase productivity at work, but we all know that a healthier body goes hand in hand with a healthier mind. Go further and try a sport or martial art that requires you to employ new strategies.

2. Strategy games

Strategy games are a great way to develop your brain power and train your mind to look for new opportunities. Try chess, backgammon and risk.

3. Attend art classes

Why not try your hand at painting, drawing, graphic design or sculpture? Not only will you work your brain in new ways and learn to unleash your creativity, but it will be a reminder of how to deepen and bring your passions to life by creating something.

4.Travel

Just go somewhere. Take a break and book a ticket somewhere right now! It doesn’t have to be far. Maybe you’ve always wanted to go to Las Vegas, New York or South Beach. Although traveling abroad can give you a whole new perspective on the world and really open your mind to new ideas that will boost your creativity.

5. Cooking classes

It doesn’t matter if you ever plan to set foot in your home kitchen or not. Why not attend a day class at a cooking school and learn how to prepare your favorite dishes or simply discover new foods and drinks that you didn’t know about? This can also be a great conversation starter when networking and gets you through those incredibly fancy lunches and dinners while sounding like you know what you’re talking about.

6. Go to a theme park

Nothing wakes up brain cells like a hair-raising roller coaster ride! Live a little, remember how easy it is to overcome your fear, and perhaps be a little more grateful for the time you have to keep your feet on the ground at the office.

7. Do orientation

Do you want a real challenge? Head out into the wild with your map and compass for a place of orientation. You’ll even find orienteering events while you’re cross-country skiing or mountain biking. After figuring out how not to freeze to death in the snow or get eaten by polar bears after getting lost, you might find out how to outperform your competitors from the comfort of your home office a lot easier.

8. Play video games

The military and airlines train people for some of the most important and dangerous jobs using video games so they’re not so bad for you. Also, if you have children with Xbox, Wii or PlayStation, you can kill two birds with one stone and enjoy some extra quality time that they will love.

9. Watch movies

Granted, becoming a potato trainer probably won’t accelerate your business growth for long, but surely you’ve seen movies in the past that have struck you with new understanding or insight or at least inspired you. So there’s nothing wrong with making time for a regular movie night.

10. Go music shopping

Not talking about iTunes here. When was the last time you went to a store and took your time looking for music? Since it may not be as easy as it used to be, but you can find new artists or styles that you love or remind you of your favorite band. Listening to music can renew your inspiration and passion for life and has been shown to strengthen the right side of the brain, making you more emotionally intelligent. Plus, while you’re there, you can critique how others are marketing or pick up some good ideas.

These are 10 activities you can do to develop your creative thinking and your ability to innovate in the next 10 weeks. On top of that, you will have learned a lot of new things and if you make just 10 new contacts per activity, you will have at least 100 new prospects and spheres of influence to tap into in the coming months.