Coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs are often told that they need to be more creative to stand out from the competition. But what does that actually mean? It can be tough to be creative on demand. We all have those days where it feels like nothing we do is good enough.

Be Open to New Ideas

One of the best ways to boost your creativity is to expose yourself regularly to new and different ideas. attend workshops and seminars, read books and blogs outside of your usual industry, and follow thought leaders on social media.

But being open isn’t enough – you need to know what you want out of it. You don’t have to have all the details – that’s what your reticular activating system is for. Your RAS is a mental filter that can help you spot the information you are looking for. When you are open to new ideas, your reticular activating system is more likely to bring them to your attention.

When you’re feeling stuck, brainstorming with someone with a fresh perspective can also help. This could be a colleague, friend, or even a professional coach or consultant (or even a stranger). Brainstorming can help you generate new ideas and get feedback on your existing ones.

By opening yourself up to new perspectives, you’ll be able to see things in a different light and come up with more innovative solutions.

Research What Other People are Doing in This Space

One of the best ways to spark creativity is to research what other people are doing in your industry or niche. This will give you a good idea of what’s been done before and help you come up with new ideas for how to do things differently.

• Look at your competitors and see what they’re doing well and where they could improve.
• Then, think about how you could do things better.
• What unique perspectives or skills do you bring to the table?
• How can you fill the gaps that they’re leaving open?

You can find inspiration for new creative ideas by researching others in your field. And by thinking about how you can improve on what they are doing, you can set yourself apart from the competition.

Let Go of Control

There are many opportunities out there for those who are creative. Too often, we get set in our ways of how something is supposed to happen. I know this because I used to want everything to go a certain way. I was like Sheldon Cooper on the Couch (Big Bang Theory fans can relate) and anytime something didn’t go as planned it rattled me. When you let go of control, you can think outside the box when it comes to making money for things that matter to you.

If you’re feeling stuck, it might be because you’re trying to control the outcome too much. Instead of fixating on what you want, let go and see what happens. This doesn’t mean you should give up on your goals – it just means being open to different ways of achieving them.

Letting go also means getting rid of distractions and giving yourself some time and space to think.

This means taking breaks throughout the day, disconnecting from technology, and setting aside time each week to reflect. Let your mind wander and see what ideas pop up. You might be surprised at how much more creative you are when you give yourself some space.

When you make time for yourself and let go, you’ll find that you have more flexibility and can be more creative in your solutions.

Experiment!

If you’re worried about failing or looking foolish, you’ll never tap into your full creative potential. So go ahead and try something new, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone.

• What have you got to lose? The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t work out—but chances are good that you’ll learn something valuable in the process.
• Experiment with different methods and tools. For example, try writing in different styles or using different mediums if you’re a writer.
• If you’re a business coach, experiment with new ways of working with clients or offering your services.

Trying new things will help you find new ways of doing things and spark fresh ideas. So don’t be afraid to experiment and play around.

Be Persistent

The creative process is rarely linear. You’ll have good days and bad days, times when you feel like you’re on a roll and other times when you feel like you’re getting nowhere. Remember that creative blocks are only temporary and that everyone goes through them from time to time. The key is to keep going even when it feels tough.

• If you find yourself stuck, take a break and come back with fresh eyes.
• If an idea isn’t working out, don’t be afraid to scrap it and start again.
• The more you persist, the more likely you are to achieve your creative goals.

Creativity is often about taking small steps consistently over time. It’s not about waiting for a lightbulb moment – it’s about putting in the work day after day. The best way to be more creative is to cultivate a habit of consistent action. Keep working and to never give up.

If you want to be more creative, you need to be willing to put in the work. Show up for yourself each day and be persistent in your efforts. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t give up! Keep trying different things until something clicks. The more you practice, the easier it will be to come up with fresh ideas when you need them.

Being more creative doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing; often, it’s simply a matter of changing your mindset and approach. By following these five tips, you can start coming up with original ideas that will help you stand out from the competition and make money for things that matter—to you and your clients alike!

P.S. Thinking but not taking action will keep you stuck in a loop. The next step is to put thoughts on paper and IMPLEMENT! 

I WANT A PLAN OF ACTION!