When we were kids we were free of creative inhibitions. Somewhere along the way we started conforming and feeling bashful of our imaginative ways. Just like athletic ability, if you don’t use your creativity or problem solving abilities, you lose it.

A few ideas to help muscle-up:

1) Realize your creativity
Everyone’s got it. The only difference between “creatives” and “non-creatives” is the more imaginative ones admit and embrace ideas while others may discredit thoughts as a frivolous mistake.

2) Find your problem solving style
How are you creative? Do you feed off people in a group or would you rather think internally first? Choose team members that complement your style. Are you detail orientated? Pair up with someone who sees the larger picture.

3) Start innovating
The first thought of solving a problem at work may feel overwhelming. Just like running, you should start with a warm-up. Think of a trivial problem at home to solve first. You’ll have one less thing on your mind, but also the confidence to tackle a larger issue.

My most recent creative break-through:
I always shoved my outgoing mail behind the light switch plate in our kitchen. The letters would fall, but this is the most natural place for me to put them. My solution was to nail a small wooden clothespin above the light switch. It’s not rocket science. Problem = solved. Cost = nothing. My face = smiling.

What is your latest creative triumph?