Beware of the following 8 blocks. These are the main stumbling blocks that hold us back from tapping into our creative thinking. Everyone is creative — but in today's fast-paced world, the pressure and noise can get in the way. We often know something’s not right, sense there’s a better way forward, yet feel too stretched to even think about change, let alone act on it.

1. Believing You Aren’t Creative

If you keep telling yourself that you’re not creative, eventually you’ll believe it. So will everyone around you. This belief becomes a self-fulfilling block. Creativity isn’t a fixed trait — it’s a muscle you grow by exploring what sparks your imagination, whether it’s cooking, problem-solving, or designing a new process.

2. Making Assumptions

Assumptions narrow your thinking. If you believe something can’t be done a certain way just because “it’s always been that way,” you shut out alternative ideas. Challenge assumptions, especially when they’re not backed by solid evidence.

3. Following Rules Too Rigidly

Structure is useful — but too many rules in brainstorming can kill ideas before they form. Creativity thrives in environments that allow experimentation. If you’re always sticking to what’s expected, you may be unintentionally stifling fresh thinking.

4. Being Too Serious

Humor and play spark new connections in the brain. A relaxed environment encourages bold ideas. Let go of the pressure to be “right.” Even outlandish ideas can lead to breakthroughs if you’re open to exploring them.

5. Avoiding Risk or Fear of Being Wrong

Trying something new means there’s a chance it might not work — and that’s okay. Mistakes often pave the way to success. Instead of fearing failure, use it to learn and pivot. Creativity often starts with the willingness to be uncomfortable.

6. Sticking to Routines

Habits can keep us efficient — or keep us stuck. Change your scenery. Try a new approach. Take a different route to work. Shaking up your routine can wake up your thinking and lead to insights you’d never get from autopilot mode.

7. Believing There’s Only One Right Answer

Most problems don’t have just one solution. When you lock in too early, you overlook better ideas. Stay flexible. Look at problems from different angles and consider a range of options before choosing your path.

8. Judging Ideas Too Quickly

Instantly dismissing ideas — your own or others’ — short-circuits creativity. Give ideas room to breathe before deciding whether they’re useful. Some of the most powerful solutions start out sounding unusual or “wrong.”

🔗 Related Resource: For practical tools and ready-to-use training content, explore our Creative Problem Solving & Decision Making Training Package.