Get an Outside Perspective! (Literally)
What do you do when you need new business ideas? Some common tactics include brainstorming with a group, using google for your topic, reading books, people watching, and watching videos. I believe, and know from experience, that one of the best ways to gain a new perspective is to go outside. Outside experiences can include going for a walk, run, hike, bike ride, swim, gardening, or yoga. These are a few ideas and you can create your own list of activities that you enjoy doing outside. During colder months, it is more convenient to go the gym or an indoor class, but I encourage you to bundle up and get some fresh air. You and your organization will greatly benefit!
How does Mother Nature stimulate creativity?
1. Increases your sense of awe and wonder. A study done by Stanford University found that when people spend time in a natural environment, they experience a natural shift in how they view time. In short, when you spend time in nature, you tend to feel a sense of “awe” and as though time is expanding. Creativity will increase with this sense of time.
2. Allows you to see more options and opportunities. A study done by psychologists from the University of Utah and the University of Kansas, that looked at the impact of nature on creativity found that spending some quality time outside improved people’s ability to see more choices. The Remote Associates Test (RAT) measures creative potential using word associations. The test was given to 56 participants going on a four-day hiking expedition. Twenty-four of these participants took the test before they began their hiking trip. The 32 other participants took it on the fourth day of their hiking test. Researchers ultimately found that four days in nature helped participants improve their test scores by 50 percent!
3. Decreases stress and expands your mind. Dr. Barbara Fredrickson has proven that when you are operating from a positive place, your mind “broadens” with new ideas and then “builds” upon the new information. Spending time outside will lower your stress levels and make you feel more optimistic and positive about the challenges that you are facing. Once you are in this state of mind, you will naturally become more creative and see alternative possibilities.
4. Less time with technology. When you are outside walking, biking, etc. you will look at your technology devises less often, if at all. We look at our phones about every 41 seconds and this distraction impedes creative thinking and being in a state of flow. When you are uninterrupted and get into a more meditative state, novel ideas will be generated. I bring my phone and jot down the new ideas in my notes app. Yes, I have the technology with me, but I am using it for new business ideas.
I hope you are inspired to prioritize the outdoors this month and year!