1. Remove Creativity Killers
Economics professor and humor author Stephen Leacock said, “Personally, I
would
sooner have written
Alice in Wonderland
than the whole
Encyclopedia
Britannica
.” He valued the warmth of creativity over cold facts. If you do too,
then you need to eliminate attitudes that devalue creative thinking.
Take a look at the following phrases. They are
almost guaranteed to kill
creative thinking any time you hear (or think) them:
I’m Not a Creative Person
Follow the Rules
Don’t Ask Questions
Don’t Be Different
Stay Within the Lines
There Is Only One Way
Don’t Be Foolish
Be Practical
Be Serious
Think of Your Image
That’s Not Logical
It’s Not Practical
It’s Never Been Done
It Can’t Be Done
It Didn’t Work for Them
We Tried That Before
It’s Too Much Work
We Can’t Afford to Make a Mistake
It Will Be Too Hard to Administer
We Don’t Have the Time
We Don’t Have the Money
Yes, But…
Play Is Frivolous
Failure Is Final
If you think you have a great idea, don’t let anyone talk you out of it even if it