When we picture creativity, it’s easy to imagine a lightning bolt moment – an inventor in a lab or an artist with a paintbrush. But creativity and innovation don’t always have to come with a capital ‘C’ or ‘I’. They can live in our everyday problem-solving, our quiet moments of reflection, and our willingness to try something new.

As we celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day and this year’s theme, ‘Step Out and Innovate’, it’s time to rethink what innovation really means. It isn’t always about radical breakthroughs or disruptive technologies. Often, it starts much smaller – by making space for the kind of thinking that leads to meaningful change.

Boredom is a Feature, Not a Bug

We often fill every spare moment with noise – scrolling, swiping, or catching up. But research shows that boredom can be a powerful trigger for creativity. When the mind is allowed to wander, it starts to make connections, explore new ideas, and solve problems in unexpected ways. In other words, boredom isn’t the enemy – it’s a space where imagination can stretch its legs.

Rest Fuels Original Thinking

We’ve all been taught to equate productivity with constant action. But the brain does its best creative work when it’s rested. Sleep, breaks, walks – even daydreaming – activate the default mode network in the brain, which plays a vital role in creative thinking. Innovation needs room to breathe. When we’re well-rested, we’re more likely to spot solutions others miss and approach challenges from fresh angles.

Psychological Safety: The Secret Ingredient in Team Innovation

Creativity thrives in environments where people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and take risks without fear of failure or ridicule. This is known as psychological safety, and it’s a key driver of innovation within teams. When we give people permission to experiment, learn from mistakes, and voice unconventional thoughts, we create the conditions where new ideas can emerge and grow.

One simple way to foster psychological safety is to model curiosity as a leader – actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and showing appreciation for different perspectives. For example, starting meetings with a “no bad ideas” brainstorm or explicitly acknowledging that failed experiments are a natural part of the process can help build trust and openness over time.

Change Your Environment

A small shift in your surroundings can trigger a big shift in perspective. Whether it’s working from a different location, taking meetings outside, or simply rearranging your workspace, changing your environment helps break routine patterns and stimulate fresh thinking. Creativity doesn’t always arrive at your desk; it often finds you when you step outside your usual frame.

Limit the Rules (Sometimes)

Too many constraints can stifle creativity before it even begins. While structure is essential in most environments, occasionally loosening the rules – whether it’s removing deadlines for brainstorming or encouraging blue-sky thinking – can lead to more innovative outcomes. Letting go of “the way we’ve always done it” creates space for imagination to take the lead.

Alternatively, if you’re starting with a blank canvas, setting yourself a few parameters can actually help unlock creativity. Having no direction at all can feel overwhelming, but introducing some artificial constraints often gets the brain working in new and interesting ways. For example, artists might limit their colour palette, or musicians might restrict the instruments they use – these boundaries can spark fresh ideas and unexpected outcomes.

Mix Up the People in the Room

Diverse teams are more creative teams. Bringing together people from different departments, backgrounds or industries introduces new perspectives and helps challenge groupthink. If you’re stuck in a rut, try inviting someone outside your usual circle into the conversation – you might be surprised at what emerges from a fresh pair of eyes.

Capture Ideas When They Come

Creative thoughts rarely arrive on schedule. Having a way to capture ideas on the go – whether it’s a notebook, voice memo app, or shared team doc – means you’re ready when inspiration strikes. Encourage your team to do the same, and revisit those ideas regularly. Not every creative act changes the world, but each one changes something. Whether it’s a smarter workflow, a more engaging presentation, or a better way to connect with customers, day-to-day creativity adds up. Innovation doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes, it’s just someone asking: “What if we tried it like this?”

Step Out and Innovate

As we mark World Creativity and Innovation Day, we’re reminded of the role creativity plays in addressing the biggest challenges we face – from the climate crisis to inequality. But also, in the smaller challenges we meet each day at work, in our communities, and in our personal lives.

So today, give yourself permission to pause. To be bored. To rest. To speak up. To suggest the unusual idea. Stepping out and innovating doesn’t have to be loud…it just has to be real!