Here are some "thinklets" from Silver Bullet Consultants principal Dennis Heindl to help keep your mind limber.

Personal visioning: Consider the problem, project or idea. In five minutes, writing as quickly as you can, answer questions like, "What do I want to do?" and "What will this be like when it is done?" No pauses! This technique brings information from the subconscious to the surface.

Tap your subconscious: Plant a request to your subconscious; then go to lunch, take a walk or get a good night's sleep. Later, check back for a response.

Reverse thinking: Start your analysis from another direction. A famous example: Instead of asking, "How can we get our workers to the material?" Henry Ford asked, "How can we get the materials to our workers?"

Other viewpoints: Find other perspectives on an issue or project, such as fresh eyes, unbiased eyes or future eyes.