To fully explore your imagination, and thus maximize your creativity, you need to free your mind from clutter or obstacles that impede the creative flow of your thoughts. When you say things like, "I'm just not creative" or "I don't have a good imagination," you are limiting yourself and putting up barriers. These types of comments generally result from being raised in a society that, teaches you to build a wall around your mind. Your goal needs to be to break out of this. Eliminate the seal on your creativity caused by mental barriers like as rules, laws, "acceptable" ways of thinking, peer pressures, and black-and-white "either/or" thinking. It is time to think openly.

The following are some suggestions for breaking down your creative barriers to let your creativity flow:

1. Recognize that we are all capable of creative expression. That is why we are humans not mice or dogs, or insects, we possess imagination. How that imagination is expressed however, is up to you. However, recognizing that it doesn't matter if you're tinkering with engines, solving a complex math problem, or painting masterpieces, what you are doing is you are creatively thinking. So, one way to break down your creative barriers is to see creativity as an integral part of your daily life. Whether you are dreaming, writing, running, or whatever else makes up your daily routine, you use creativity.
2. Get your juices flowing by practicing. Sometimes the best way to break down your creative barriers is to warm up; simply picking up your pen or sitting down to the keyboard to exercise your creativity will break down your barriers. If you struggle with creativity, make it a daily routine to free write whatever comes to your mind for 15 minutes a day. Practice makes perfect. When you free write just write down whatever is running through your mind. If you stop to censor your thoughts, you're simply adding another layer to the creative barrier instead of taking one away. So, associative write, write a word, then write the first word that pops into your head as an association. When free writing never scribble something out or erase.
3. Daily imaginations. For the less creative, a good way to break down creative barriers is to spend a few minutes a day imagining. This can be simple, and really fun. If you do not know where to start, start with a "what if" statement. For example, "What if bubble gum never lost its flavor?" Now imagine that world. You may see people with gum stuck behind their ear while they eat, because it makes no sense to throw out perfectly good gum. You see world records of years and years chewing the same piece. You could be imagining how high the price of a pack of gum must be, as it is not nearly as replaceable. What about gum as meal replacement? And on and on! The tangents, paths, and possibilities are endless, so once a day, simply sit for a few minutes and explore a "what if." (this could be done while using the toilet, brushing your teeth, or showering if you can't find time elsewhere, it really does not matter when you do it, just do it).
If you do these 3 simple suggestions you will see your creative barriers start to peel away, ideas will flow more easily, and you may even start calling yourself a creative genius!