By: Trina Johnson
When you are feeling stuck, uninspired, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to do, you need to look at the issues confronting you with a new perspective. You’ve got to get creative. Here are some tips that may help you rev up those creative juices:
- Pretend you know exactly what you should do next, and do that. Don’t scoff. It really works. The point is: Don’t stand in your own way. You probably know exactly what you should do. You just have to face it. Even if you take the “wrong” action, just by doing something, a dynamic or two will change and the solution will become clearer. No problem is ever unsolvable.
- Change your language. Instead of saying “I can’t do X” change it around and say “I can do X IF” and make a list of things that could solve the problem. Even if it is outrageous and you don’t see how you could do it, still make the list. Review your list and see if there is any solution within your current network. Is there anyone you know that could provide the “IF’ for you? Sometimes, by just reframing the issue as a search for the solution to “IF” your creativity will be unleashed.
- Pretend that a fairy godmother magically appeared, waved a wand, and poof! problem solved. What would change? Make a list of what would have to be different. Then work backwards to see how you can go from success to the struggles you are having now. Often, when you look at a problem backward, you’ll see the path it takes to get it done.
- Imagine how someone in a totally different profession would handle the same kind of problem. If a professional football team faced the same kind of problem as you are facing, what would they do? They would shake up the roster, get a new coach, practice new plays, study more film. Have you taken those kinds of steps? How would a secretary solve it? What about a landscaper? Think of someone who uses different tools and different resources. The creative solution is often sparked by something outside your current circumstances.
- Give yourself a hard deadline to solve the problem. Look at your problem as if it was a challenge on The Apprentice and you had 24 hours to make something happen. What would you do? Or if you stranded on an island with the cast of Lost and they had to solve this problem, what would they do? Take yourself mentally out of your current environment and see what ideas pop up. It often works.
And finally, when you come up with a possible solution, don’t stop there. Come up with another idea, then another. Often, it’s the third or fourth idea you have that is actually the best solution. And just knowing that you have more than one option to try to solve a business problem will give you the confidence to try your first choice solution.
If you are stuck in a rut or have a problem that you are just not able to solve, when all else fails, get on the phone or send an email and ask someone for help. Sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes to see the solution. If you are a woman business owner, find yourself a supportive network like the Mirelli Entrepreneur Training for Women organization where you’ll find dozens of women who would be more than happy to help.