Creativity Tip: Listen Up!

Every now and then, instead of a creativity tip, I'll give you a creativity assignment. Here's what I want you to do today. Stop, look and listen. Consider it the adult equivalent of stop, drop and roll. Forget whatever fires you have to put out at work or at home. Give yourself -- and someone else -- the gift of undivided attention.

Here's the exercise: When someone asks, "How are you?" today, stop rushing around, look that person in the eye, and answer the question. Then, return the favor. Ask how they're doing and listen to the response.

What does this have to do with creativity? Everything. Listening requires focus. Creativity thrives on focus.

And, by the by, so do we.