large part of working in payments involves using creativity and being able to think outside the box. For instance, if your products are similar to those your competitors offer, you need to find new and fresh ways to promote them and win the sale.

For most people, inspiration and creativity cannot be summoned at will. Fortunately, though, you can make changes to open yourself up to discover new ways of thinking and seeing things from a new perspective. Making basic adjustments to your current routines can help shed a new light on everything you do.

To help get you out of your rut, try these suggestions:

Take a Vacation

I know you're thinking, "I don't have the time for a vacation, let alone the funds for traveling." If you think you're too busy to take a long weekend or a couple of days off, you might need to reorganize and reprioritize to make the most of your time-or hire someone to help at the office.

You don't have to block out an entire week on your calendar or buy airline tickets. Take a day trip to a nearby town to soak in unfamiliar scenery. Be a tourist in your own town; go to the museums and attractions that you've meant to visit but just haven't had the time for.

The important thing is to change your routine, including your surroundings. Take a step off your daily beaten path and leave your cell phone and laptop behind.

Make Connections

Attend a tradeshow, join a networking group or register for a seminar. Working diligently is admirable, but keeping your nose to the grindstone and never looking up can lead to tunnel vision.

There is nothing better for generating new ideas than talking with others, especially if they're in the same business; the back-and-forth of communication can really get the creative juices flowing. Climb out of your box and see what others are doing. The energy and flow of creativity will spark ideas for you, and might possibly generate some sales leads.

Brainstorm

Get together with a trusted colleague, co-worker or peer and talk about ideas that you've had in the back of your mind, even if you haven't thought them through completely. Maybe they'll turn out to be nothing, but maybe you'll stumble across your next big project in the process.

Forget about feeling stupid or worrying about being judged. This is a time to just let the ideas flow, no matter how outrageous, impractical or unrealistic you may think they are. Say the first things that come to mind without any filters.

Even if most of what pops out of your mouth won't possibly become viable working plans, you will come across ideas worth exploring. That's exactly the point.

Cut and Paste

Keep a binder of ideas or concepts that catch your eye and attention. If you see a magazine ad that appeals to you, rip it out and save it. You might be able to use one or two of its elements in your next PowerPoint presentation.

If you hear a phrase that puts a new spin on an old idea, jot it down; it may come in handy the next time you're drafting a proposal. If something catches your eye, even if it's not directly related to your profession or business, add it to the binder. It may help you come up with some creative ideas down the road.

Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes

Try to see things from someone else's perspective and examine the situation as they might. Imagine that you are your customer, your competitor or your peer. Look at the situation from their viewpoint and try to imagine how they would approach it.

What would they do? What is important to them? What do they want to accomplish?

Maybe they wouldn't take the same steps you would, or perhaps they would tackle tasks in a different order and consult different people than you would. The point is to try to better understand other people and learn new ways.

Don't Give Up

When you're looking for new ideas but feel stuck, keep going. If you're trying to come up with a new way to market your products, write down every idea that comes to mind, no matter how inane or unrealistic.

The more items you write down, the higher the probability that you will come up with some really great ideas. So, when you think you can't conjure up any more, give it a few more minutes.

Ask your co-workers to do the same. Encourage them to write down everything, then come together and share everyone's ideas.

If you find yourself lacking imagination and creativity, changing your surroundings and routines can inspire and motivate. Go out and meet new people and explore new experiences. Share ideas with others. See things from a different angle. Look for ideas where you wouldn't normally expect them. And most importantly, don't give up.