Find your innovative solution: game-changing tricks to have up your sleeve
When you need to come up with an innovative solution in your workplace, you’re rarely in the optimum position to do so. And you quickly feel the pressure to pull out this incredible idea. That pressure never helps either. I know I’ve been in that position over and over. But when I needed to come up with that brilliant concept, I found a pattern of tricks that works wonders… and coaching other communication and marketing professionals, I found they worked for them too.
I am known for being someone who comes up with solutions and innovative ideas so I wanted to share some key tactics I use on my own journey to finding the innovative solution.
Go for a walk
Fresh air does wonders in helping us think. If I've been feeling like I've come to a point where I am stuck on how to proceed, I know it’s a good time to go for a walk. Going for a walk doesn't mean you need to be inconspicuous. It can be going to get your morning coffee or walking to talk to a colleague to discuss something in person. But even better, make the most of your lunch break and get away from your desk. Go outside. The key is fresh air, movement, and a moment to yourself. I’ve come up with wireframes, key messages, workshop facilitation concepts, and stakeholder engagement approaches on these walks. And once I’m back at my desk, I’m able to be more productive because I’ve given myself valuable thinking space.
Draw or map it
Get your pencils or textas out with big A2 paper or butcher paper and map or draw your problem or current/ ideal process. You can colour code, use post-it notes, and different shapes but use your hands rather than doing this process with a digital tool like an iPad. It’s so natural to problem solve using your hands. This process also helps in small teams bringing everyone on the same page and building the concept or process together. It can highlight problems and blocks quicker and just like preparing a speech, speaking it out loud helps find if a concept is working or not. If you’re struggling to explain a part, perhaps that is where your solution sits. This process has been valuable in solving key campaign landing pages, workload management, mapping buyer journeys, and redesigning processes.
Ask “how can we make this easier?”
Back to the map idea, If something is getting too complicated to even explain to yourself, ask “how can we make this easier?” that’ll help you be clear about what you need to achieve and take a step back to see the bigger picture. Rather than focus on the small detail, that’s how it’s done,
You might be surprised by other people being a part of the process that could be open to things being easier, and changing how it is done.
I discuss this further in my article, Making it easier: the smart route.
Have a coffee date
Being out of the office in a social happy setting, away from your office and computer setting is definitely a mood changer and different pace. Sharing with someone about what you’re working on and potentially what roadblocks you’re facing can be a lighter setting where you can potentially get some insight from your coffee friend. Coffee dates are not the type of place you necessarily dig into detail but are more likely to talk about ideas and connections. Being in a different environment and in a different conversation as to your desk environment can help your brain have different thought triggers among other things. I've found coffee dates particularly helpful for projects, creativity, and innovation in content and crafting strategy.
What these ideas have in common is getting away and off your computer gives you space to think. Give yourself the opportunity to have the mindset and headspace for innovation and creativity.
