What are employers looking for? It’s one of the universe’s greatest mysteries and there isn’t one size-fits-all answer. Sometimes it can feel like they’re looking for their very own superhero.

But, one of the most sought after traits that employers look for is creativity – the ability to think outside of the box, look at situations from fresh perspectives and add that extra special element.

And it’s not just creative industries that benefit from creative thinking, it is STEM sectors, education, marketing, pretty much any industry you can think of. Creative thinking transcends borders, industries and is an incredibly valuable, transferable skill.

It’s arguable not really a ‘skill’ either, it’s an ethos and set of values that you can approach any scenario with; whether you’re launching your own brand or starting a new project at work. Flexibility, initiative, collaboration and resilience all require creative thinking.

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Contrary to popular belief - J.K Rowling, Bill Gates and that annoying guy who got the job you interviewed for - aren’t sitting around churning out golden nuggets of creativity all day long, every day.

Creativity is a long game. And being a ‘creative’ can be frustrating, fruitless and ultimately frivolous. But it’s all part of the process. For every nightmare of a day, you can have a Tuesday treasure trove, full to the brim with fantastic ideas.

Accepting that your ideas don’t have to come to you perfect and fully-formed is a good place to start and recognizing that if you’re not feeling creative, it’s okay to take a break and not force it.

Who knows, your next best idea could occur just as you’re about to put gas in your car or when you’re running around after your dog because she’s stolen a toilet roll.

Let’s take a look at things you can practice to consistently come up with creative ideas.

Relax and Unwind

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