Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

Creative thinking tip #1 - take the day off

Leadership StrategiesEdward Kiledjian

As a business leader, you are paid for your creative thinking and not your ability to follow process. But there are times when you are stuck. You find yourself unable to make a breakthrough. I will write a series of very short snippets to help get you out of your rut and encourage the creative juices to flow.

Tip #1 STOP THINKING ABOUT THE PROBLEM

There comes a time when you have to take a step back and stop thinking about the problem at hand. It may seem counterproductive but trust me, it works. When coaching executives, I sometimes ask them to take a “real day off”. We determine what the perfect relaxation day would look like for them (e.g. golf, spa, reading a book in bed, etc) and then we make plans to implement that perfect day. No cell phones, no emails and absolutely no connection with work or responsibilities.

It is amazing the number of times an executive has come back the next day full of ideas and energy. Try it and I guarantee you will love the results.