Must Have Strategies for Staying Innovative in a Competitive Industry

How creatives stay inspired, inventive, and ahead of the curve.

Q: What strategies do you recommend for staying innovative in a competitive industry?

A: Ah, this might be my most favorite question to date. 

First I’ll say that staying innovative in a competitive industry has little to do with the week long on site yoga retreats or watercolor classes that companies often bring in to “shake things up.” Yes, a diversity of experiences and looking at solving problems through a different lens is PART of keeping the genius flowing, but a small part. When the success of a larger system relies on creative innovation and the ability for creatives to think way outside the box, the answer is always maintenance. Super boring, I know, but also true. 

If a friend told you they were about to run a marathon, the expectation would be that they would train. Perhaps they would have a trainer or be part of a running club where they would learn to stretch, pace themselves, and work on their stride. Maybe they would even have a nutritionist to help with optimizing their meal pre and post race. An acupuncturist, chiropractor, or PT to assist with any injuries due to overuse. It is safe to say, there would be a lot of attention paid to maintenance. This would be expected and not questioned. 

Creatives require the same dedication to maintenance, yet it is often questioned and rarely provided. There exists a desire among those who are not creative professionals to view creativity like a magic trick. Poof! Inspiration strikes, as if out of nowhere. Ha! And yes, there are strikes, sparks, lightning bolts and earthquakes of enormous innovation, but they are cultivated. Genius does not just arrive out of the blue free from effort. 

The key to maintaining creativity is consistent, intentional work. Just like athletes train daily to perform at their best, creatives need regular maintenance. Small, everyday rituals like energy work and meditation create a strong foundation to help to keep your creative mind sharp. These practices balance the nervous system, preventing burnout while fostering a flow state. And yes, journaling, sketching, all of these exercises we have come to assume move the creative process along are helpful. They are a PART of the training. But they work much better when addressing the foundational aspect of creativity - energy. 

But it's not all about the routine. Regularly stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing new experiences is essential for growth. The secret to sustained innovation is this delicate balance between maintenance and moments of fresh inspiration.

'Shaking things up' should be a part of your weekly routine, not an event saved for company retreats. Ultimately, innovation isn’t something you chase only when deadlines loom, it’s cultivated through discipline, maintenance, and steady engagement with your creative energy. If you are in the business of innovation, you need to train for that event every single day. 

Q+A is a AMA feature of the weekly MUSE newsletter. The place where creative people come to master the creative process. Join us for expert guidance and insights from a therapist, fine artist, and author (that’s me)!