Thinking creatively requires different mindsets at different stages of your project. If you can shift gears yourself, do that; if not, bring in a colleague to help you sort through the issues. Focus on these key roles as spelled out by

Walt Disney:

✔ Dreamer. Don’t limit your vision at the outset. Let your mind roam widely as you explore concepts, ideas, and solutions. You don’t have to be practical at this stage—just allow yourself to daydream as you think about what you want to achieve.

✔ Realist. Once you’ve got a plan or idea you want to put to work, start narrowing it down until it’s doable. You may end up eliminating the less practical aspects, but if you keep your mind on the core idea, you’ll come up with a plan that satisfies your goal while succeeding in the real world.

✔ Critic. Poke holes in your plan so you can patch them up effectively. Run a test or set up a pilot program before rolling your solution out completely. Don’t think of obstacles as failures; use what you learn to make your idea viable.