Five Steps to Stimulate Creativity

By no means exhaustive. Courtesy of Paul Selwyn, a California speaker who specializes in creativity for businesses.

• A "yes-yes" attitude
  This is instead of a "yes-but" attitude. Rather than focus on what won't work, try to take an idea to its next step.

• Have a beginner's mind
  Try to look at old problems with a beginner's insight. Invite input from people who know little about the problem. This can lead to breakthrough ideas.

• No need to be right
  Keep an open mind, and let go of the need to be right. It can lead to new ideas.

• Willingness to suspend judgement
  Learn to be an encourager of ideas, and withhold judgement on them as long as possible.

• Recognize and let go of assumptions
  Keep asking why, and you'll be surprised at the answers. This is much better than hanging on to an assumption about an idea.