Creativity is a common casualty in our often routine-driven business settings. However, boosting your creativity can induce inspiration and illuminate important insights that can ultimately improve your performance and your bottom line. So here are 10 tips to help foster a level of creativity that could dramatically change the course of your business in the upcoming year.

1. Attend lectures and networking events
Attend a lecture series or a monthly networking event to spur innovative thoughts and inspiration. Surrounding yourself with other successful and interesting individuals who have their own unique stories and ideas can be a great way to spark the creative process.

2. Take a step back
If a project is stumping your creativity, take a step back and embrace a different perspective. Try playing a different role and thinking about the project from a variety of viewpoints. Ask yourself questions that could prompt a different response, such as “How would the customer respond to this,” or “”Why would a customer care?”

3. Get out of the office
Staying chained to your desk inhibits the flow of creative juices. Get up and go for a walk! Get some fresh air and clear your mind. Explore your surroundings and get curious about the world. Approach these moments outside of the office as opportunities to be inspired and to cleanse your mind of the over-stimulation that an office setting can cause.

4. Exercise
Studies suggest that movement and exercise increase creativity. A 2013 study by Leiden University and University of Cape Town concluded that regular exercisers do better on tests of creativity than those who are sedentary. Exercising increases blood flow to the heart and serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a better mood and clearer thoughts.

5. Keep a journal
Write your thoughts down in a journal, eNote program, or even on a sticky note. When a thought strikes you, putting pen to paper is the best way to foster the idea and track the creative process. Keeping a journal is also a great way to look back and reflect on what you have achieved over a period of time. It can also be used to save ideas and solutions for future use.

6. Read and expand your interests
Creativity and imagination are sparked by learning and fueled by passion. Read up and become an expert in an area that intrigues and interests you. Allow your genuine enthusiasm to spark new thoughts and ideas, honing your creativity and ability to think outside the box.

7. Take risks
Take risks and fight the fear of failure! Be bold and confident in your ideas. Small stumbles and failed efforts are part of the process, and you will be building your creative skills even if your attempts do not result in a successful product or solution.

8. Relax
Anxiety is creativity’s nemesis, so try and free your mind of worry and let go of fear. Powerful emotion can be a wonderful driving force for creative thought but if the emotion is debilitating you’ll find yourself frustrated and impaired. Breathe deep, relax, and let your emotion drive the creativity.

9. Give yourself time
Set realistic expectations about the amount of time needed to get the creative juices flowing. Establishing deadlines is necessary in the business world, but be sure to give yourself an adequate amount of time to let thoughts and plans develop. Hurrying the process will not work. If you are short on time, pull out your journal for past ideas or go for a run to clear your mind.

10. Keep it simple
Clear out the clutter, keep it simple, and don’t try too hard. Sometimes trying to be creative can have the opposite effect. If you’re finding yourself stumped and spinning your wheels, let it go. Return to it later and let your thoughts flow just as they are. The more you force creativity the more it will elude you.