Last month, I made a presentation on Creative Thinking at the Personal AdministratorsConvention. To think creatively there are dozens of approaches and in my workshops, I work through methods like Fish Bone Analysis, Value Stream Mapping, Convergentand Divergent Thinking, TRIZ, Brainstorming, Synectics, Da Vincian Methods and (ahem!) Mind Mapping.   This time, I simplified the language for the layman and, uhm, excuse me, for the laywoman too.  So, if you want to generate a lot of ideas, pick out good ones, test them and then make them practical see if the following works for you.* First, think deep and hard "into the box." Do this until your head hurts. Of course,for many of us, this is the natural choice. That's why migraines exist.* Second, think far and away and "give up on the box." This will allow synergizationfrom your unconscious and will also draw in what exists in the environment outsideof you.* Third, if you discover many boxes or ideas, take two contrasting ones and "blendthe boxes."  Consider ideas which generate disagreements, because there may be wisdomin the sides you are blind to.* Fourth, "invert the box." Study it from an end that does not work and also emptyout its contents and elements. This may make you bolt out of your bathtub, naked,screaming "Eureka!"* Fifth, "explain the box." Simplify and state the purpose and the benefits the box will bring to your world. Tell as if you were talking to a seven-year old.There you go! Hope the abstracts make concrete the technique for you. If not I willneed to work the last step or, perhaps, all five of them. If you wnt to see the slide presentation and/or the video clips click    Slide Presentation of Unleashing Creativity [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=cpuza7cab.0.0.65lq6mcab.0&ts=S0403&p=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Frcyk93&id=preview]Video Clip of Monk in Black [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=cpuza7cab.0.0.65lq6mcab.0&ts=S0403&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D0zmak2DiTpA&id=preview   Seize the day! Raju Mandhyan Author, Coach and Trainer www.mandhyan.com  

This map was originally created as a prelude to a chapter on how to Improve Contnuously, in my book. The Heart of Public Speaking. Essentially, to begin learning any new skill/discipline "method' has to be followed and a large amount of date has to be taken in, personal depth developed through reading, exchange and then your skills/ideas have to be taken to maarket where varied exposure forms and strengthens what is good and valuable in it. At a higher, spiritual level you also got to believe that things will come together. If you intend to improve then you will.