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“How to Be
a Creative Entrepreneur”
Robert Warlow
Small Business Success
There’s a great
line in Alice in Wonderland when the Queen says, “Sometimes I think of 6
impossible things before breakfast.” I think you’ll agree that this has to
be creativity at its best! As a small business owner this is an ideal you
really need to strive for … but how on earth can you open up your mind to
get to the point where ideas just spill out?
Small business owners are expected to be creative and inventive, otherwise
how could they run their own firm? If you have a sneaky feeling that
creativity is not one of your strong points what can you do to stimulate
your brain and get it kicked-started?
Be Unlimited
Too many people are ‘limited thinkers’. They have their world placed
squarely in a box and nothing can exist outside of that. If the newspaper
reports something then it must be right. If Joe next door says that
something is impossible then he must be right. As a small business owner,
you cannot afford to be a ‘limited thinker’. You have to be an ‘unlimited
thinker’. Get into the habit of seeing no boundaries; decide that there are
no taboos. Have the belief that with a bit of focus you can find a creative
solution to all of your problems. This is the foundation for a creative
thought process.
Be Future-Focused
Creative ideas invariably come when you ‘look’ into the future. The feeling
of propelling yourself forward and seeing the problem solved is a great
motivator. Do you think you could achieve the same result if you were
backward focused? I don’t think so! Train yourself to be future-focused,
always looking ahead, not a traditional thinker who tries to find answers in
today’s world.
Be a Writer
Once you open your mind to the joys of creativity the ideas will quickly
start flowing, as if someone has opened the flood gates! Just like flood
water, unless you catch it the ideas are lost for ever. Capture all your
ideas by carrying a small pocket notebook with you. As soon as an idea pops
into your mind, write it down. It doesn’t matter how outlandish it is, you
can look at it in the cold light of day later on.
The fact you are responding to the ideas by noting them will further
encourage you to be even more creative – good deeds encourage more good
deeds!
Be Clutter-Free
If you are naturally an untidy person, then get out of the habit! A
cluttered office will lead to a cluttered mind. You cannot expect your brain
to work efficiently when all it’s doing is constantly reminding you how
untidy your office is. To be creative remove all the clutter from your life
and free your mind.
Be Action-Oriented
All of these points are great, but if you don’t take any action with your
ideas, then you may as well not have bothered. An idea is nothing but a
thought unless you take a specific action to help bring it to life.
Periodically review your notebook and see if there are any hidden gems, or
ideas which can be quickly actioned. A lot of your ideas may not suit at all
but in there somewhere is probably an idea, which if acted upon, could
change you or your business. Commit fully to move forward on as many of your
ideas as you can.
Don’t be afraid to break down the boundary walls. As John Stuart Mill said,
“That which seems the height of absurdity in one generation often becomes
the height of wisdom in the next.”
Let me close with one question - can you be creative enough to be dismissed
as a dreamer? No? Then get practicing!
© Robert
Warlow
Small Business
Success
http://www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz
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