1) Around the conference table
Who says you can't schedule time to be creative? A meeting of the minds can be a productive means of brainstorming through collaboration.

2) The outdoors
Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, golfing, gardening or relaxing on the beach, outdoor activities allow you to unwind and concentrate on something other than work.

3) In bed
Inspiration wakes some people in the middle of the night. Keeping a notepad on the nightstand allows you to jot down that idea before dozing off and forgetting what it was the next morning.

4) On the road
Long commutes and business trips provide ample time to think, whether you're waiting in an airport, riding the morning train or driving home in rush hour traffic.

5) A favorite watering hole
Because ideas often arrive when you're relaxed, taverns, coffee shops and the office water cooler are great places for inspiration. Should genius strike at the local watering hole, you can sketch out the details on a cocktail napkin.

6) At the gym
Regardless of your preferred method—running on a treadmill, swimming laps or aerobics—exercise has a way of clearing your mind of distractions, allowing insights to percolate to the surface.

7) In the shower
After a workout or first thing in the morning, time in the shower or bath can offer a few minutes of solitude for contemplation.

Teradata Magazine-December 2008