Are you creative?

[tallat amhfooz]

! Believing you are creative is the first step to being creative.

Here is a reminder of 10 keys to creative thinking, the first one you've got right already:

1. You have to believe you can be creative!
2. Look for many possible answers, don't assume the first solution is best
3. Be prepared to look outside 'standard practice'
4. Play around with the issue and have some fun
5. Be prepared to accept ambiguity, at least for a time
6. Don't be afraid to 'say something wrong'
7. Challenge your inbuilt 'rules' or 'assumptions'
8. Don't always rely on experts - sometimes their thinking is limited by their expertise
9. Don't always be logical, sometimes silly thoughts take you on to new ideas
10. Be prepared to get it wrong sometimes

Work with these keys to creative thinking and you'll be making the most of your creative talents.

[Rich]

I'm surrounded by engineers at work all day who don't believe #1 and management beats them up for even considering #2-10. It can be very frustrating. Thanks for posting, I need the reminder.

Rich

[mflintjer]

Nice philosophy -- have been living by that list without even knowing it!! Thanks for pointing it out to me!