Instead of rushing to solve a perceived problem, spend time questioning the problem itself—a process Dr. Seelig calls "framestorming." For example, the problem isn't designing a better suitcase; it's getting your belongings to a destination. This redefinition opens up radically different and more innovative solutions.

Instead of framing choices as trade-offs (“Should I be an academic or a consultant?”), reframe them as synergistic goals (“How can I be an academic in order to have impact?”). This simple linguistic shift forces the brain to seek creative, integrated possibilities that were previously invisible.

To build creative agency in employees or children, resist the urge to provide answers to their questions. Instead, consistently respond with, 'What do you think?'. This simple shift coaches them to trust their own problem-solving abilities rather than depending on others for solutions.

To avoid generic brainstorming outcomes, use AI as a filter for mediocrity. Ask a tool like ChatGPT for the top 10 ideas on a topic, and then explicitly remove those common suggestions from consideration. This forces the team to bypass the obvious and engage in more original, innovative thinking.

Teams often get stuck listing obstacles. To break this cycle, ask, "What would need to be true for this to happen?" This imaginative prompt bypasses the immediate "no" and shifts the group's focus from roadblocks to possibilities, unlocking creative solutions they would have otherwise dismissed.

A simple sentence stem, "Wouldn't it be cool if...", can unlock suppressed desires by encouraging imaginative, unedited brainstorming. This is especially useful for individuals who have spent years prioritizing others' needs and have lost touch with their own aspirations, shifting focus from practicality to possibility.

Founders often get trapped by immediate constraints like budget and resources, leading to incremental thinking. A simple prompt from a peer—'If you had a magic wand, what would you do?'—can break this mindset, forcing a focus on the ideal solution and revealing a truly disruptive path.

The brain is designed to avoid costly thinking by defaulting to the "path of least resistance." To generate novel ideas, intentionally create a "preclude constraint" by blocking the most obvious or habitual solution. This forces your brain to explore new, more inventive pathways it would otherwise ignore.

When a team gets stuck on one or two approaches, use a specific prompt: "What are the other three ways we could solve this?" This forces participants to move beyond their initial ideas, explore alternatives, and often leads to more creative and practical solutions.