There are many ways to spark creativity. Most of them involve a shift in perspective.

• View the problem/product/ desired result from a different seat on the bus.

In other words, how would a 6-year-old child view it? A librarian? A truck driver? A college student? Someone who is wheelchair-bound? By putting yourself in many different people’s shoes, you can begin to see the situation differently.

• Personify it.

If your product or service were a person, who would it be? A man? A young girl? How would they behave? What would their personality be like? What would be their favorite book? Movie? What would they be afraid of?

• Get out.

Most people brainstorm and try to spark their creativity in the same work environment that they’re in every day. One of the best ways to inspire some new thinking is to be in a new place. Go to a park and take a walk. Go play at a toy store. Visit a museum. Play a kind of music you’d normally never listen to. Stimulate your senses.

• Ask why.

Make an assumption about what you’re working on. Then ask why. And answer it. Then ask why. And answer that. See where it takes you. Then, when you can’t go any further, make another assumption and do it all over again.

• Play.

Have a paper airplane contest. Create a putting course in the office. Play charades. Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to be creative, and being playful is a great way to bring that part of you to the surface.

Find the ways that work best for you and start getting creative!

Drew McLellan is Top Dog at McLellan  Marketing Group and blogs at  www.drewsmarketingminute.com.  He can be reached at <a href="mailto:"Drew@MclellanMarketing.  com”>Drew@MclellanMarketing.com  © 2007 Drew McLellan