Innovation … it's a talent everyone has, and yet everyone thinks they don't! If you've ever stood back and gasped at somebody's creative dexterity, guess what, you can generate innovative and creative ideas too. It just takes time, effort and focus.

Despite what you may think everyone is born with original and imaginative skills. The box of crayons in our hands as children were not limited to those who possessed would-be artistic skills; because the truth is, everybody has potential.

You know how long it took to learn to ride a bike or drive or to never commit the same mistake again? It's the same with innovation. It takes practice and a lot of time before the required skill comes easily when called.

To harness your entrepreneurial creativity and innovation, here are some tips.

Ignore the Nay Sayers

Don't listen to what other people say. Everyone has an opinion but not everyone will be as informed as you! Family, friends and colleagues will be well meaning but they have the capacity to instil doubts in your mind.

If you have a unique idea, don't waste your time and effort trying to make people comprehend your vision. They won't. And the help you will probably get comes in the form of unenthusiastic and indifferent feedback.

Devote Sufficient Research Time

Despite me saying that you should ignore the 'nay sayers' you must spend time doing as much research as you can to satisfy yourself that your idea is workable. If you are stuck with having an idea to start a business and quitting your day job before it all comes together make sure you have covered all eventualities!

Do Some Exercise

There is nothing better to get into an innovative state than exercising. Take a walk. Run a mile or two. Send all those endorphins coursing through your veins. Exercising certainly clears and relaxes your mind and allows for all sorts of ideas to pop up.

Record Your Dreams

We all dream and I'm sure over the years you have had some of the craziest dreams! If you've had these imaginings before this only demonstrates the untapped creative powers you have lying within. Capture these ideas by immediately writing them down. Those dreams may just create an innovative business idea or new product.

Find Your Own Style

You can always tell a Rolls Royce from a junk yard salvage! So it is the same with you. People will admire your innovative streak more because it is uniquely yours; no one else would have thought of what you were thinking. That will let other entrepreneurs and your customers see how valuable an asset you are to them.

Don't Over Complicate Things

Don't hide behind nifty gadgets or tools. You don't need the most expensive tools to produce a masterpiece. So what if you've got an expensive top of the range laptop but don't know how to use it to its full potential? Who cares if you've got the latest mobile phone? The people who get things done actually reduce the number of tools they have; thye knows what works and what doesn't.

Be Passionate

You and your business will not work without passion. What wakes you up in the mornings? What keeps your flame burning? Sometimes you are overtaken by talentless people just because they want it more than you. If you're not doing something that you want to do, then you don't really want to do it. Sometimes you just want something so bad you become a virtual unstoppable. And that is passion. Passion will keep you going.

Looking For Inspiration

Don't worry about inspiration. You can't force it; inspiration hits when you least expect it to. An idea could strike you in the car, when you are walking or even in the shower and yet you have no sheet of paper to scribble down a thought that could change the world! Avoid these disasters. Have a pen and paper within your arm's reach at all times.

You can easily bring innovation into your personal and business life if you follow these ideas. Keep in mind that you're doing these things for your own satisfaction and not anybody else's, but soon enough they will notice, and everything should snowball from there.

Robert Warlow
Small Business Success