Creative thinking is the key to maximize your own and your team’s performance in school or at work. People with creative ideas are more successful than others, live happier lives, get more experiences and are considered smart and talented. We give you 10 free tips of how to maximize your creativity and get a richer life!

1. Establish the right mindset

The first step is to think of yourself as creative. Think positively about this and try to see your creative side whenever possible.

2. Be a challenger

Start challenge processes, products and services. Just because they are in place at school, work or the market doesn’t mean they are the best. Start to think “what if” and define different proposals even if they seem to be a bit strange from the beginning.

3. Change your daily routines

Get coffee from a new place. Walk/drive to work using a different route. Visit Websites on topics you know nothing about or places you’ve never had time to check out but want to. Read magazines and articles you usually don’t read. By changing your normal habits it will teach your brain that you open up for new ways of thinking and change your views of looking at different problems

4. Make mistakes

Don’t care about what other people think. Try your ideas and make mistakes. You don’t learn much when you do the right thing from start; you learn the most when you make mistakes. Learning from mistakes gives your creativity a chance to flourish!

5. Don’t listen too much to the critics

There will always be people who insist that your ideas will never work. Most of us prefer to do things in the ways they have always been done. But remember that doing things differently is driving creativity!

6. The power of brainstorming

Arm yourself with better brainstorming techniques. Sometimes, you just need new tools for thinking. Learn five to ten idea-generation techniques and use them at your next brainstorming session.

7. Get inspiration

Be inspired! Pay a visit to a museum, go to the opera, movies or a theatre. Try to go somewhere you have never been, do something you have never done and see something you have never seen.

8. Take a break

Be patient when nurturing your creativity. Being creative is not a stressful activity. It is a learning, thinking and analyzing process. If you get stuck, do and think about something else. The break gives your brain a pause to work and analyze the impressions it has gathered. A powernap might also help.

9. Don’t think too much about it, do it!

Rather than thinking about all the reasons not to do something, think positively and take a risk! If you always wanted to be an actor – go ahead and act for your family or take a course. Let your creative impulses run wild!

10. Exercise!

Go out jogging in the nature or take a walk and get some fresh air. When your body starts to release endorphins it is amazing how many great ideas and innovations you start to get. So go out and try it, now!