1. Be sure that you have a clear objective

If you try to be creative without a purpose you won’t get very far.

2. The greatest block to creativity is to evaluate ideas as you think of them

Write down all thoughts even if you think they are no good, and select the best at the end.  

3. Remember that there is no risk in coming up with ideas

Only in implementing them (thinking of getting married is virtually risk-free, doing it, however…..)

4. If the ideas that you have seem mundane

Write down the opposite for each of them. This technique was used to come up with diagonal oil drilling, life assurance that pays when you are still alive and the stuffed crust pizza.

5. Imagine you are someone else

It could be a celebrity, a colleague or a friend. Think about how they would address your objective.

6. Look at a picture which has no obvious connection

With the subject that you’re trying to think creatively about and write down all the ideas that come to mind. An external stimuli (it could just as well be a smell, sound or word) can help to jolt the mind out of linear thinking.

7. If you feel stuck in a rut, take a break

Thinking creatively is a bit like going to sleep, trying harder can make it less likely to happen. Your mind will be turning over thoughts in any case so let them rise to your consciousness in their own time.

8. It's a myth that you need other people to be creative, but they can help

If you think you are lost, ask others for their views.

9. If you believe that you are not a creative person, think again

We were all creative as children and we are all capable of being creative now. It's only self-limiting beliefs after years of being told 'that’s wrong' or 'you can’t do that here' that stop us from thinking the unthinkable.