How much fun are you having as an entrepreneur? Does your always-on lifestyle keep you from thinking laterally and having fun? Yes, I get it. If you want to be successful, you have to give it your all. I have not met a successful entrepreneur who does not work beyond the normal 8-5 working hours. My big question is, how do we expand on the topic of having fun and thinking lateral while being an entrepreneur?
Checkpoint 7 on the Ultimate Roadmap to Rediscover Your Business Adventure
There is a reason why we have decided to add “Thinking Lateral & Having Fun as an Entrepreneur” as the seventh and final checkpoint on the Ultimate Roadmap to Rediscover Your Business Adventures.
At the end of the day, your business ventures should be fun. There is absolutely no reason to be in a business that makes you miserable and zaps up all your energy. It is not sustainable, and whatever we do, you bring a certain kind of oomph to your life. Otherwise, it is not worth it.
Thinking Lateral should give you new energy. A new spark. No matter who you are and no matter how much of a left-brain-thinker you are, you should enjoy problem-solving out of the box as an entrepreneur. That is, after all, part and parcel of who an entrepreneur is.
Where the Magic Happens
We often feel fairly content with where we are in life. Fairly happy. Fairly OK. Deep down, we feel an urge to move, but we can’t put our finger on the feeling. The reality is that if we move just a tad out of our comfort zone, we might just step into the zone where all the magic happens.
All we need is a little push to get over the edge.
What is Lateral Thinking?
Essentially, lateral thinking is all about thinking outside the box and finding new solutions for an existing mindset. Edward de Bono, the father of Lateral Thinking, used the following definition of lateral thinking.
“Lateral thinking is defined as a way of solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, which contrasts with “vertical thinking,” a more logical and sequential method.” De Bono argues that while vertical thinking relies on established patterns and data, lateral thinking encourages breaking free from these constraints to generate innovative ideas.
De Bono’s principles of lateral thinking are outlined as follows:
- Challenging Assumptions: Lateral thinkers actively question existing beliefs and processes, which helps to uncover new possibilities.
- Generating Alternatives: Finding multiple solutions to a problem rather than settling for the first one that seems adequate.
- Relaxing of Exact Science: Allowing for a more fluid thought process that is not strictly bound by logical sequences.
- Provoking Old Assumptions: Introducing thought processes that seem absurd or impossible to stimulate new thinking pathways.
Lateral Thinking and Entrepreneurship
If you see yourself as an entrepreneur, one of the top skills you should possess is creativity in your approach to problem-solving and conceptualizing new ideas. Without it, you are just a self-employed individual.
Entrepreneurs are notorious, in a good way, for being creative, thinking on their feet, and always challenging the status quo.
Having FUN as the number one ingredient of lateral thinking
Having fun in your business significantly contributes to innovative thinking. To have fun bring about a creative and engaging environment.
Fun environments encourage your employees to express their ideas freely and take risks without fear of judgment. When individuals feel relaxed and comfortable, they are more likely to think creatively and generate innovative solutions. Research indicates that playful atmospheres stimulate creative thinking, allowing employees to explore new concepts and approaches more openly.
Employees who enjoy their work are generally more engaged and motivated. This positive attitude can lead to higher productivity levels and better performance overall. When employees are having fun, they are more likely to be inspired and committed to their tasks, which can directly influence their ability to innovate.
Fun activities promote teamwork and bonding among your employees, enhancing communication and collaboration. When teams engage in enjoyable activities together, they build stronger relationships, which can lead to more effective brainstorming sessions and a greater exchange of ideas. This collaborative spirit is essential for fostering innovation.
A fun workplace can help alleviate stress and prevent burnout, which are significant barriers to creativity. By incorporating elements of play and humor, businesses can create a supportive environment that allows employees to recharge mentally, thereby enhancing their capacity for innovative thinking.
The moral of the Lateral Thinking FUN Story for entrepreneurs
It does not take a genius to figure out that if you want yourself as an entrepreneur and your employees to be creative and come up with unique ideas, you must create an environment of fun and excitement. There will be no lateral thinking in your entrepreneurial organization if you, as an entrepreneur, do not create a fun environment for your team to think lateral.
And if you are in lateral thinking mode, your entrepreneurial organization will thrive like nothing before.
addVentures Business Club will be exploring a number of activities to strenthen your lateral thinking! Contact us today to find out how you can build your lateral thinking skills with us.
