5 Tips to Inspire an Innovative Mindset
An innovative mindset allows us to experience the world in such rich and vibrant ways, with opportunities around every corner. Whats more is that this mindset, coupled with action, has the power to improve the lives of those we love and the world around us. Thats pretty big!
So what exactly is an Innovative Mindset and how do we cultivate it?
Let’s take a closer look.
What is an Innovative Mindset?
You don’t need to be born with it. Anyone can cultivate an innovative mindset and it involves being able to think creatively, being curious about one’s environment, developing knowledge of an industry or purpose and most importantly, persevering no matter the obstacle.
A person with an innovative mindset keeps their eyes open for new possibilities and opportunities within their environment. They do not let limiting thoughts get the better of them, and choose to think ‘how’ instead of ‘can’t’. An innovative person sees obstacles as exciting challenges, from which their great ideas will blossom. They are not afraid to try something outside-the-box. Some of the most incredible advancements in history came from pioneers with highly innovative minds. Think Steve Jobs, Nikola Tesla, Bill Gates and Leonardo Da Vinci.
In contrast, less innovative mindsets would rather focus on the problem than the solution. Their approach is limited, fixed in nature. They may be more hesitant to take a risk, for fear of failure. Failure as a human being is inevitable, it’s the only way to learn, improve, and move ahead to something better! Developing an innovative mindset can enhance your life experience, and that of those around you. Let’s look at some tips for inspiring an innovative mind.
1. Embrace creativity
Thinking creatively means looking beyond how things appear to be, in order to find improved solutions. It involves putting fear aside, in favour of something alternative or ‘less scientific’. Embracing creativity is looking at the factors and elements in your immediate environment in order to imagine something different, something better or never done before. Creativity is not limited to art or those with artistic talent, but extends to every corner of our lives where we get to use our imaginations to create a better future. We can be creative in the way we eat, cook, exercise, communicate, love, teach, learn and adapt to all of life’s situations.
2. Think BIG
Thinking big means thinking beyond what we see and perceive in our current environment. Be it in our career, business or personal lives. When we think big we are not limited by what is in front of us but rather we see a bigger picture in which our ideas have the possibility to create a new and better future. This may be a new product or service idea, a life-goal of ours or something within or personal lives. When we think small we see the barriers and restrictions however when we think big we start a process of thought that has the potential to create lasting change and innovation. Many of the worlds greatest pioneers thought so big that others mocked them however when they pursued their vision with courage they succeeded and changed life as we know it.
3. Live with courage
Standing out from the crowd is not easy, it takes enduring courage. When we are challenging popular beliefs or ways of doing things we are bound to come across people or conditions which doubt our efforts and test our belief in ourselves. Courage is standing firmly within ourselves when the situation disagrees with us, its believing in our idea/s and seeing them through. Going against the grain is not for the faint hearted, but success comes to those who feel the fear but do it anyways.
4. Think on your feet
Life is moving fast and opportunities are around us all the time. To take advantage of what life throws at us and what we cultivate as a result of our efforts, we need to act quickly when a positive situation arises. This again takes courage, and also clear-thought. We need to develop an eye for identifying what we may need to progress with our goal, strategy or innovation and when we see it take focused action. This is not always to say that we will get it right, but as we start to improve on our decision making and trusting ourselves we will develop the art of skillful action. The quicker we cultivate this, the faster we can get to where we want to go.
6. Don’t be afraid of failure
The most impactful people of our time failed more times than you could ever imagine. We just don’t hear about it. We only see their successes spoken about in the news or biographies, which often came after years of failure. What made these true innovators succeed was their inability to give up. They brushed themselves off, pushed their ego’s aside and tried again, and again. And again.
As business leader John C. Maxwell said:
