YAAB

By Buhle Dlamini

“The real source of wealth and capital in this new era is not material things.. it is the human mind, the human spirit, the human imagination, and our faith in the future.”
Steve Forbes

The 2008 Forbes World Billionaires List was released last month and Patrice Motsepe becoming the first black South African to make the list. The youngest of all is 23-year-old Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is quite possibly the world’s youngest self-made billionaire ever. Mark’s innovation has not only catapulted him to the dizzy heights of wealth but has changed millions of people’s lives around the world. Innovation has become a very important factor of life and business these days and if you want a piece of the action you need to release your creative juices now.

We are living in the era of innovation, where everything and anything is possible if you can conceive it and make it work. Daily in the silicon valleys of the world entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs are hard at work to come up with the next best thing and when successful their endevours are often rewarded with millions if not billions. Here in our country there are still many gaps that need to be filled. Even for those who are employed there are often numerous opportunities that can be taken in the workplace with a little creativity. All it takes is for you to let your creative juices flow and change your life.
When you hear about these people who come up with innovations that become big hits, do you ever think ‘why didn’t I think of that’. Think of Nate Stahl that came up with the Post-It Notes that we now use everyday, while working for 3M. It was so simple, so common sense and she’s the only one made millions out her invention. The question is how can you become more creative and start getting into the innovation zone. Business is all about innovation, those who succeed in their careers also do it by being more creative than the herd. But can anyone be creative and innovative? Well you be the judge by applying some of these exercise to let your creative juices flow:

Mess Up Your Routine -

We all get stuck in the rut of doing things the way we’ve always done them. Sticking to well worn routine is a sure way to remain uncreative. Think of a new route to work, start your work schedule the other way round, change one habit that you have. Messing up your routine forces you to think creatively.
Keep an Ideas Notebook -

Ideas come up anytime and anywhere. The stroke of genius often hits when we least expect it. I have kept a notebook since I was 14 years old. I have come up with the craziest ideas and some of those ideas have become my businesses successful and some duds but recording the ideas when they came is what made the difference.
Get Fresh Viewpoints -

Magazines, blogs (YoungEntrepreneur.co.za and SucceedNow), books and websites can open your mind to new ideas. Visit the library and read books on topics that intrigue you or related to your field. Attending seminars and workshops that will expose you to a new way of thinking. Expand your viewpoint and enlarge your creativity.
Ask Questions -

Asking questions like “Is there another to do this?” often leads to a mental engagement that can lead to a new solution to an old problem. If you could change anything about your work, your business and the service that you offer what would it be? Ask questions and think about possible answers and you could be on your way to the Forbes Billionaires List.
So there you are, do you have what it takes to become a creative genius and change your life, career and business? The answer is in your hands, now you have the tools, use them.
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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Buhle is also a consulting Project Manager to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com

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