Find New Surroundings:

The physical space around us has a surprising impact on thought processes. Spending time brainstorming away from the desk can be surprisingly productive.

If you’re an at-home entrepreneur, start working at different independent local coffee shops each time you work away from home.

Broaden Your Horizons:

Traveling is a great way to see how the rest of the world lives. You can get inspiration from seeing new ways of doing things or discovering needs you didn’t know existed.

Ask Around:

Sometimes it just takes a different perspective. Sites like Quora or Reddit can be great resources to get input from experienced entrepreneurs.

Hit The Gym:

Occupying your body with a physical task can stimulate your mind. Take yourself away from thoughts about the past and future and concentrate on a physical task that exists only in the moment. Plus, staying in shape helps you to be more alert and focused.

7. Clear Away Distractions:

Spend some time away from the cell phone, Internet or anything else that pulls you away from the problem at hand. You don’t have to be on an airplane to put your device on airplane mode.

Question All Assumptions:

Don’t let any idea slip by without being examined, tested and turned on its head.

Focus On Yourself:

Take a vacation, get enough sleep, do what it takes to get in the right place for yourself. Once you are there, creativity will come more naturally.

Be Open To All Sources:

Looking for inspiration from successful entrepreneurs is a good idea, but low-level employees might have just as much insight.

Fail:

Sometimes our biggest failures can set the stage for our grandest successes. As Steven Tyler said in a famous Aerosmith song, “You’ve got to lose to know how to win.”

Stop Being A Perfectionist:

For a moment, allow something to be imperfect. Start acting, even if that means going forward with an idea that isn’t totally refined just yet.

Have Quiet Time:

Sit and meditate, just be mindful for a moment. Be alone with yourself. Concentrate on your breath, and you may find inspiration come to you instead of the other way around

Pump Up The Music:

Alternatively, sometimes listening to new music can trigger your brain’s creativity. Sometimes that might work where silence fails.

Evaluate Your Goals:

Maybe your struggle for inspiration is symptomatic of a deeper issue. Are your efforts actually being focused in the right direction?

Never Stop Learning:

Take classes in your spare time, read scholarly articles and listen to lectures. The more you learn, the more opportunities you have to make connections and discover new ideas.