How to Think Creatively
First published 9/23/1999

Let’s face it: it today’s competitive corporate environment, creative thinking is more important than ever! That’s why it’s important for even the busiest employee to take a moment out of his work day, put on his "creative cap," and take a lesson in thinking "outside the box"!

Step one: Before you can begin to think creatively, you’ll need an 8.5x11" lined steno pad, a well-sharpened #2 HB pencil, a black magic marker, and some 3/4" transparent tape. You’ll also need a highlighter — yellow is preferable but blue is acceptable. Store all your creative thinking tools in a standard-size document storage box so they’ll be easily accessible when you need to think creatively.

Optional: Using the magic marker, write the words "Creative Thinking Treasure Chest" on the side of the document storage box. You may decorate your creative thinking treasure chest with up to four (4) stars or happy faces. Be sure to obtain permission before writing on this or any other company property!

Step two: After consulting with your supervisor, book off fifteen minutes from your work schedule. Retrieve the magic marker, tape, and steno pad from your document storage box. Positioning the steno pad in a landscape orientation, use the magic marker to print the words "CREATIVE THINKING SESSION: DO NOT DISTURB" in large capital letters across the top sheet. Replace the marker’s cap. Carefully tear the sheet off the pad and affix it to your office door or cubical entrance using a small piece of transparent tape.

Step three: Now that you’ve set up your creative sanctuary, it’s time for the fun to begin! After re-positioning the steno pad to a portrait orientation, remove a pencil from your storage box. In cursive handwriting, write out the problem that you’re trying to solve on the first line of the pad. Underline the problem twice.

Step four: Now it’s time to put on your creative cap! Starting on the third line of the sheet, begin to write out possible solutions, being sure to put an ordinal number next to each. Some of your solutions may seem whimsical or even "zany." That’s okay! We’re thinking creatively here! Continue writing out possible solutions for ten minutes. If you are thirsty, you may have a drink of water at this time.

Step five: Now it’s time to review your wild and wonderful ideas! Using the pencil, place a mark next to the whimsical or "zany" ideas. What kind of mark should you use? A check mark, an "x", even a star — the sky’s the limit! In any case, these ideas are now eliminated.

Step six: Remove the first sheet of paper from your office door or cubicle entrance. Fold it into thirds and place it inside your storage box. You never know when you’ll need to think creatively again! From your box, retrieve the yellow (possibly blue) highlighter, and highlight the four most practical of your creative ideas. Submit these to your supervisor. Replace the highlighter’s cap and return it to your storage box, along with the rest of your materials.

That’s it! Your creative journey is at an end! Once you try creative thinking, you’ll find it’s a lot of fun — and a valuable work skill! So, like all the great creative geniuses of history, "put on your creative cap," and dream your way to a more efficient workplace! (Remember, all creative ideas you formulate on the job are the property of your employer.)

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