Teach Yourself to Innovate Do you consider yourself an innovator? If not, you may not feel like you have the creativity and innovation skills that are so necessary in today’s competitive, global business landscape. Luckily, even if you weren’t born with a natural drive to innovate, you can teach yourself to become the creative, innovative person you hope to be. Here are three small steps that you can take to help you prime your innovative impulses. 1. Don’t be afraid to fail Fear of failure is the number one mental block that stops people from finding innovative solutions. That’s unfortunate because failure will always be a by-product of innovation. The key is to make sure that you fail smartly and learn from your mistakes. 2. Get a different perspective Everyone knows the cliché “think outside of the box.” Unfortunately, if you live in the box, it’s mighty hard to imagine what it’s like on the outside. That’s why, if you can’t get yourself out of your box, you should consider inviting someone else in. By reaching out to people with different skill sets, backgrounds and specializations, you can give yourself the wider perspective that’s needed to reframe a problem or issue. And once you do, it’s easier to find potential solutions. 3. Commit yourself to trying new things The best way to keep yourself from falling prey to creative myopia is to increase the perspectives and knowledge base from which you have to draw. Try new things—new experiences, new foods, meeting new people—whenever possible and you’ll cultivate an innovative, creative mindset that’s hard to lock in the dreaded “box.”   Would you like to change how people think? Consider adding Dr Edward de Bono’s tools to your portfolio and become a certified de Bono trainer.  The next Six Thinking Hats Workshop is 12th November 2013 in central London. Book here. Holst is Dr Edward de Bono’s partner in Europe. Click here for more information about Dr de Bono and his tools.  ]]>