Leaders in the old Soviet Union eventually realized that simply trying harder to make the old Communist system work - didn't work! What was needed was a whole new paradigm.

On a personal level, I've noticed that when people are "stuck" in life, it is because they are usually still framing their problem with a set of assumptions that no longer apply. Or they are using the same problem solving techniques that they used in the past but don't work anymore.

You MUST develop your creativity to survive and thrive in the 1990s.

Life continually involves problem solving. Creativity is the key to figuring out how to get from point A to point B when you've never done it. It is the act of generating new ideas. Without creativity, you run the risk of becoming obsolete in our rapidly changing marketplace.

Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing mysterious about being creative. The basic principle of creativity is simply combining two or more known ideas in a new way to create a new idea. This is a skill you can train yourself to do. It starts with awareness:

"The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them."
Prov. 18:15 (LB)
Here are the five steps I use in the creative process:

1. State the problem clearly. What is wrong? Be as precise as you can. Vague problems are more difficult to solve. Is it a problem with manufacturing... ormerchandising... or marketing... or management?

2. Set a specific goal. What is it that we really want to happen?

3. Generate as many ideas as possible. The more ideas you have, the better. Force yourself to list 10 options. Brainstorm. Have fun. Be outrageous. Challenge
   the rules. Be off the wall. Use your intuition. Ask a lot of questions. Forget "realism"
   for the moment. Try crazy associations: How is this problem like an elephant?

4. Narrow your list down to the one best idea.

5. Take action! Do it now. Go for it. Many of the most successful people made it with just one outstanding idea.