Want An Ah-ha Moment?

With back-to-back activities and multi-tasking at work, sometimes it seems thinking no longer has a prized place in business culture. Daydreaming is frowned upon. Fast solutions are rewarded. Busy work occupies employees. But there are ways to keep great ideas from dying before they get out of the cubicle (or cubekill!)

“Of all human activities, creativity comes closest to providing the fulfillment we all hope to get in our lives,” says Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. “Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives. Most of the things that are interesting, important and human are the result of creativity.”

The definition of creativity is any unconditioned thought. So, how can you come up with an ah-ha idea?

Csikszentmihalyi says creativity requires talent, a rich environment and receptive judges. As a manager, nurture creativity in the workplace – allow some group time for brainstorming, be careful with criticism and promote tolerance, says Allbusiness.com.

Tap into the environment and diversity around you. The more stimuli… the greater the number of big ideas, suggests BusinessWeek.

Eliminate fear. “When you take pressure off people to come up with a ‘big’ idea, you encourage the creativity,” says the Harvard Business Review.

Online Exclusive: Check out the five places where you’re likely to have an ah-ha moment.

Bonus PINK Link: Got a great idea for a new invention, but don’t know where to start? Here’s what to do next.

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By Joey Reiman

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” Sylvia Plath