9 Strategies to Train Yourself for Innovation

Change is necessary, as the lack of change makes us marginalized people and hinders our development, growth, and progress for the better.

In short, this is not good for you and the world as well, but in fact, you can train yourself to creativity and innovation. Here are some strategies that you can follow to promote innovation.

Strategies you can follow to promote innovation

1. Enhancing innovation qualities

Indonesian journalist Anisa Purbasari Horton wrote for Fast Company, “As with creativity, innovation is believed to be a quality one has had since birth,” but this is not entirely true.

Victor Poirier, a professor at the University of South Florida's Advanced Discovery & Innovation Institute, told Fast Company, "Almost everyone has the qualities of innovation, but some people use it, and others do not. I conducted this study to help people recognize their strengths, uncover talents they didn't even know they possessed, and demonstrate how it benefits them.

As mentioned in Poirier's research, these qualities include the ability to think abstractly, to understand topics broadly and deeply, and to indicate curiosity, risk-taking, determination, and dissatisfaction with the status quo.

To become more creative, Poirier believes that cultivating the qualities that already exist in a particular individual can help. To teach individuals how to do this, Poirier is currently testing and developing different methods.

“You can harness your existing qualities by developing your expertise. For example, if you think you have the willpower but want to strengthen it, get used to working on and completing a project or goal, and be prepared to change course if you feel it is not right for you,” Horton adds.

2. Use Your whole mind

Research has revealed that being satisfied with using either the left hemisphere - in which case one tends to rely on logic - or the right hemisphere - in which case one tends to rely on creativity - is not true. In fact, using both sides of your brain stimulates your true creativity.

For our imagination to flourish, we must rely on logic and reason, and at the same time, it must be unique and full of ideas and innovation.

In fact, creativity requires an integrated approach because lateral thinking, also known as “thinking outside the box,” is necessary, and doing so will help you overcome challenges and discover new solutions to problems.

To develop a brain that works at its maximum capacity, for example, try to use your left hand - if you usually use your right hand- when doing some simple tasks, and the opposite if you use your left hand. You can also try doing "reverse typing", where you type backward from left to right.

3. Surround yourself with inspiration

Try to do activities that motivate and inspire you, no matter how simple, such as going for a walk. Ordinary things can also move inspiration inside you, such as looking at a specific painting or image.

For example, one research revealed that blue promotes innovation, as most people associate blue with freedom, peace, and tranquility, as it is also associated with the sea, water, and the ocean. This association makes people feel safe about being creative and discovering.

However, you don't have to do all those things every day to be more innovative. Instead, you can do different things each time, and that's enough to refresh your ideas.

4. Develop your desire to know

You will be more creative if you always have a burning desire to know. To make sure of that desire, always look at new ideas and information. You must also inquire about everything and be ready to listen to different points of view.

In addition, develop your knowledge of a particular discipline that interests you the most, but do not neglect other things, as you must have a fair amount of understanding in various fields.

5. Find an inspiring friend

Innovation rarely arises on its own. Therefore, select a trustworthy partner with whom you feel comfortable, such as a colleague or friend, but who should feel comfortable being with you.

It is also essential that your workplace is different, or you can change your routine. Sharing and repeating ideas is not just an effective way to develop new ideas but also fun when working with others.

6. Explain things back to yourself

Suppose you have just finished reading a book, explain what you are reading to yourself or someone else. This allows you to dig deeper, as well as rewrite the idea in your own way. This method may seem primitive, but it is really an effective way to develop yourself with new concepts, and most importantly, consolidate and retain knowledge.

7. Accomplish tasks differently

Try to monitor all the tasks you do automatically, no matter how simple and boring. After identifying those tasks, try doing them again, but in a different way, as this method is simple to change your routine, which prevents you from falling into boredom.

8. Risk

If you want to be innovative, you have to take some risks. Although it may seem scary, you have to take some risks in your daily life if you want to become more creative. Sometimes, you will succeed, and you will smoothly come up with a new solution when you take any risk.

However, in many cases, things do not go as planned, so you will need to try again, but you should not let the fear of failure become an obstacle in your way, as you can make your good luck through change and progress.

In fact, many companies have achieved great success because of taking many risks, and this concept applies to all aspects of life, of course.

9. Refrain from certain things

Contrary to popular belief, setting limits and standards stimulates creativity because they basically force you to think flexibly and creatively. In the beginning, refrain from two things only to see the repercussions.

For example, refrain from using some words, sources, or virtual communication tools. You are likely to modify some of the things you initially proposed, but this exercise will help you stimulate your innovative ideas.