🌊 4 Reasons a Fresh Environment Sparks Better Ideas
As we look back on the year, we can’t help but reflect on the moments that have brought great success. Working in corporate events, you can often get caught up in all the details and the endless to-do lists. Sometimes you need to take a step back and have a look at the bigger picture. We ask ourselves, ‘What have we done that has worked?’ and ‘What has motivated the team to work better?’
One of the standout moments was when we took our annual strategy planning meeting out of the office and into somewhere with a bit more water and a tad more inspiration. We realised how impactful the difference can be by simply stepping outside of your usual environment, and how it can bring fresh ideas and boost morale. In this blog, we will explore the benefits you can gain by changing your workplace for an afternoon (or longer).
Our Trip to The Wave
There’s something about the crisp spring air and the sound of waves that gives you a new energy to go about your day. That’s why earlier this year, we swapped our meeting room for the shoreline and headed to The Wave in Bristol for our annual strategy planning day. Stepping out of our usual day-to-day environment gave us the space to think big and have important conversations about what direction we wanted to go in.
The team got to truly reconnect away from the pressing e-mails and phone calls, which allowed us to be present in the conversations we were having. This created much more meaningful, focused directions to move forward in. It was an energising, inspiring day, and a great reminder of the power of perspective. It showed us that a simple change of space can stimulate creativity and innovation.
Let’s explore the different benefits…
Creative Thinking
Changing your environment can be a really powerful tool to help you look at new perspectives and inspire creative thinking. Studies have shown that our physical surroundings have a significant impact on our mental processes. When we stay in familiar environments like an office, our brains tend to fall into habitual patterns (starthawk.io). Of course, this can lead us to looking at the same solutions and ideas we’ve used before. Working in a new space, we’re forced to process new sights, smells and sounds. In turn, this promotes fresh ideas and challenges your accustomed way of thinking.
Team Connecting
When the team got together, it was away from the pressing phone calls and constant emails. Sometimes it’s important to acknowledge that being on demand all the time can sometimes be harmful, especially when you’re trying to create big ideas or new strategies. Being present in the conversations you’re having is key to creating better results and reconnecting as a team. It’s vital when finding more meaningful, focused directions to move in. It’s a great way to really reconnect as a team and also show you’re actually engaged with what your team are saying.
Increased Motivation and Energy
Staying in the same environment day in, day out, can bring about stagnant energy and could be detrimental to your team’s success and morale. Studies have shown that natural environments can increase the creativity of individuals and profoundly influence human well-being, emotions and behaviour. Working in a new space can feel like a mini reset. The new energy can help motivate the team and remind everyone of the shared goal. It helps people show up differently – more open, more positive and more willing to contribute. A new environment can remove some of the invisible constraints of the office. Without the usual cues of hierarchy or routine, people feel freer to speak, explore ideas, ask questions and connect.
Reduced Stress and Improved Wellbeing
Natural light, open spaces, outdoor environments, or simply a change from a high-pressure setting can lower stress levels and support mental well-being. Happier brains perform better. If you’re looking to improve the well-being of your employees, doing something as simple as working somewhere different for the day can do wonders (and it doesn’t have to cost a thing!).
At Mocean, we are big believers in the power of the outdoors, and would highly recommend stepping outside to seek new inspiration. However, if this is not possible (we know not everyone has a wave pool down the road), simply opting for a different meeting room, going to a different office floor or going to a local cafe could make a world of difference in generating positive outcomes and out-of-the-box ideas.
Take this as a sign to try something different and discover how the benefits impact your team, strategy and productivity.
If you need more advice on motivating your team, company culture and creating big ideas, get in touch…
Mocean is a multi-award-winning creative agency specialising in sustainable corporate events, brand activation and strategic storytelling.
