How to Develop an Innovative Spirit

Innovation, a vital requirement for (aspiring) key players in the business world, has been defined in several quarters.

For example, according to Concise Oxford Dictionary, Innovation is the introduction of something new, i.e. the act of changing something established by introducing new methods.

Innovation is the introduction of something new, i.e. the act of changing something established by introducing new methods. Consice Oxford Dictionary @funmie_adebayo
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Business Dictionary^TM defines Innovation from a business standpoint as follows: Innovation is the process by which an idea or invention is translated into a good or service for which people will pay.

From a #business standpoint, Innovation is the process by which an idea or invention is translated into a good or service for which people will pay – Business DictionaryTM @funmie_adebayo
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Summarily, innovation is the generation of tangible value from an intangible or abstract invention or idea. It is the entire process of proving and adding practicality to stated theories- the conversion of variables into valuables.

innovation is the generation of tangible value from an intangible or abstract invention or idea. It is the entire process of proving and adding practicality to stated theories- the conversion of variables into vvaluables. @funmie_adebayo
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Management guru, Peter Drucker once said about the subject, “Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship- the act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth.”

From a Management standpoint: “Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship- the act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth.” – Peter Drucker @funmie_adebayo
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Clearly, the innovative spirit is a must-have to be relevant in today’s business world!

Innovation is however not a function of age or academic qualifications, as there are many matured and highly educated people who cannot apply their knowledge, expertise and experience accurately to generate value amidst changing demands of life.

Innovation is not a function of academic qualifications as many highly educated individuals cannot apply their knowledge, expertise and experience accurately to generate value amidst changing demands of life. @funmie_adebayo
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How to become Innovative

So, How can you become (more) innovative?

1.The myth that only ‘Innovators’ can be innovative has been busted. You can get more innovative by cultivating your innovative traits

It was erroneously believed over the years that innovators are born and that the innovative spirit cannot be acquired. However, recent work of research has proven that reversed is the case, as innovative capabilities can indeed be cultivated.

Paraphrasing Anisa Purbasari Horton in Fast Company, Victor Poirier, a professor at the Institute of Advanced Discovery & Innovation at the University of South Florida, recently published a research paper in collaboration with nine of his colleagues that examines the thought process behind innovation, in which he affirms that all individuals possesses bits of the same innovative characteristics that ‘Innovators’ have to certain varying degrees. His work of research examines those characteristics and how they can be activated in every individual, stating that innovation is a series of steps, and that we become more innovative if we put our innovative tendencies to use.

The myth that only ‘Innovators’ can be innovative has been busted. You can get more innovative by cultivating your innovative traits @funmie_adebayo
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2. Start Your Day with Creativity

As advised by ISU Technology founder, Tanvir Zafar in Lifehack you can tap into your creative juice by keeping your phone off for the first hour of the day, while allowing your brain to engage in more creative activities instead. This prevents your mind from being clogged with the stress of the interconnected life from the very start. Some suggested alternative routines include: Exercise, meditation, reading, drink water, listen to Music, devotion, and whatever else works for you.

you can tap into your creative juice by keeping your phone off for the first hour of the day, while allowing your brain to engage in more creative activities instead – Tanvir Zafar @funmie_adebayo
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3. Throw out self-limiting assumptions and beliefs

For a more innovative you, serial entrepreneur and VIP contributor, Deep Patel, suggests that you free yourself of constrains, which come from erroneously belief systems / fear, and presents as excuses and negativity. In his words”Our belief system has the capability to change our lives”.

Throw out self-limiting assumptions and beliefs. Our belief system has the capability to change our lives”- Deep Patel @funmie_adebayo
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Other suggested ways to become more innovative include

Be flexible
Keep learning
Create a creative environment
Surround yourself with innovative people
Read and expand your knowledge
Challenge yourself to be more…

One final way…

Nevertheless, the Innovative spirit is an expression of the wisdom of God in man according to scriptures.

But there is [a vital force] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding. It is not the great [necessarily] who are wise, nor [always] the aged who understand justice.
Job.32:8-9 (AMP)

Therefore, if you wish to be more innovative at work, at home, in business or in life generally, there one more way you can always bank on.

And that’s asking God…