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Fuel Your Brain for Maximum Creativity

We all know that stimulus fuels the brain, setting off a chain reaction of idea associations and creations that will bring new thoughts and ideas to life.

Sometimes when looking at a challenge we need a reminder about ways we can help ourselves think differently about a business or personal challenge:

1. Mix Up Your Inputs:

Explore books, newsletters, music, and conversations beyond your usual domain. Seek perspectives that challenge your assumptions and push you out of your comfort zone. Look both within and beyond your industry for emerging trends—what patterns connect different fields? How do innovations in one area spark breakthroughs in another?

2. Be Your Own Customer:

Experience your customer’s journey firsthand. Start where they discover you, then follow their path to purchase. Use your own customer service channels to ask questions, make a purchase, or schedule a sales call to understand their experience

3. Use Your Own Product:

Don’t just observe—get hands-on with how your product moves through the value chain. If you develop raw materials, try working with them the way your customers do—mix, mold, cut, or process them to understand their usability firsthand. If you create consumer products, use them in real-life scenarios beyond testing labs. What frustrations arise? What possibilities emerge? Engaging directly in the process can reveal hidden opportunities for improvement and innovation.

4. EUREKA! TRIZ®

When facing a tough problem or seeking fresh solutions, use Eureka! TRIZ to spark innovative ideas.

TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) is a powerful problem-solving tool developed from analyzing patterns in millions of patents. Created by Genrich Altshuller, it provides a database of proven solutions to similar challenges. The key is identifying your dilemma—TRIZ helps you find what has worked before and apply it in new ways.

Greg Lemmon, Director of Special Projects, demonstrates just how quickly you can get stimulus for your challenge in the short video below.

5. Move Your Body:

Exercise boosts blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which enhances cognitive function. Even a short walk can break mental blocks and spark new ideas.