If you know me, you know I like to change it up. Today was no different. After a couple of days in “da funk,” I woke up bright and Chipper at 5 a.m., not my usual wake up time. Instead of groaning and trying to go back to sleep, I decided to change it up. I read some blogs and took the dogs out for a nice run.

All of this got me thinking about how much companies need to change it up. When was the last time you thought about something differently?

Changing things forces you to think differently, consider different views, possibilities and ask a lot of questions. Here are a couple of things I do on a regular basis to change things up:

• Take a different route to work.
• Dress differently. If you usually dress down, dress up.
• Listen to different music.
• Try a different drink at Starbucks.
• Say “hi” to someone new.
• Ask someone “why?”
• Ask someone "is there a better way to do this?"
• Give out high-fives.
• Eat somewhere new for lunch.
• Don’t check your email until after lunch.
• Challenge yourself on your “daily routine.”

These might seem rather benign, but you’ll be amazed at how refreshed you feel in doing something different.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the saying, “We’ve always done it this way!” Tradition has it’s place, but real change doesn't come without innovation. Innovation doesn’t come until someone decides to change it up.

In the words of one of my favorite companies, “Think Different.”