When was your last epiphany moment? Do you recall what it was?
When we step back and painstakingly observe a problem, examine perspectives and context, reinterpret the familiar, become aware of unfamiliar and unseen relationships, and ask questions, we can improve our epiphany moments. I wrote about this process in my last post, here.
You can improve epiphany moments with a few key strategies:
- Be inquisitive: insightful leaders make a lot of “what if?” inquiries.
- Make human connections: insightful leaders interact with people from diverse backgrounds to access new perspectives.
- Notice and observe: insightful leaders are always looking at the world with business radar to detect surprising solutions.
- Play and experiment: insightful leaders try new things, in new places, to expose themselves to new experiences.
Identify specific tactics to implement these strategies. For example, alter your environment by changing your office, reversing furniture and items on your desk, or working in a completely different setting. You can also prime your brain for epiphanies with exercise: endorphins trigger positive emotions and creativity, and distance changes perspective.
Improve Your Epiphany Moments
Try these tactics to improve your epiphany moments:
- Mandate R&R for yourself: get ample sleep, take vacations, and disengage. Consider incorporating meditation or MBSR into your daily routine.
- Practice gratitude: think about the people, places, and things that bring you joy, and express your gratitude.
- Daydream: periodically consider your long-range goals, assess your values, and develop plans.
- Learn something new: start a new hobby, study a different culture, or delve into something completely unrelated to your past experiences.
New information and experiences prime your brain for insight and innovation. When this topic comes up in the organizations where I consult, we discuss the importance of interacting with diverse people, ideas, and situations. You see, as you stretch your comfort zone, you’ll expand your curiosity, think abstractly, and identify seemingly remote associations.
Consider working with a qualified executive coach to improve your insights. They can help you identify your assumptions, fixations, or limited perspectives that create barriers to insight.
What do you think? How do you increase and improve your epiphany moments? You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here, or on LinkedIn.
