Looking at a situation that has already occurred and asking yourself, “What could have happened?” can boost creativity for short periods of time.According to an analysis by Jeremy Dean:<ul><li>Analytical problems are best tackled with thinking about what could have been taken away from the situation.</li><li>Expansive problems benefited most from thinking about what could have been added to the situation.</li></ul>

Ask “What might have been?”

<ul><li>Role mismatch.</li><li>Too much/too narrow end-goal restriction. </li><li>Strict ration of resources, including insufficient time.</li><li>Lack of group diversity produces less creative results.</li><li>Discouragement. Too much criticism, endless evaluation and negative comments.</li><li>No positive feedback. Praise and positive feedback are essential for creative people, who thrive on having their ideas impact the lives of others.</li></ul>

How to Kill Creative Thinking

Research suggests placing self-imposed limitations can boost creativity. 
It forces your brain to come up with creative solutions to finish a project around the parameters you’ve set.

Restrict yourself

Instead of thinking of a cut-and-dry end goal to certain situations, creative people sit back and examine the problem in different ways before beginning to work.If you find yourself stagnating by focusing on generic problems, try to re-conceptualize the problem by focusing on a more meaningful angle.For example: Instead of thinking “What would be something cool to paint?” rather ask, “What sort of painting evokes the feeling of loneliness that we all encounter after a break-up?”

Re-conceptualize the problem

Exercise can actually boost creative thinking due to its ability to get the heart pumping and put people in a positive mood.If you’re stuck in a creative rut and want to take a break, try including exercise.

Get moving

Research suggests that reading/experiencing something absurd or surreal can help boost pattern recognition and creative thinking.

Embrace something absurd

From a new study on creativity in the workplace:
Creativity increased when both positive and negative emotions were running high. Next time you’re in a strong emotional state, try to sit down and focus that energy on creating something.

Create during a powerful mood

We are often in two very different states of mind when <ul><li>absorbing an activity and </li><li>when we are trying to create something.</li></ul>Turn off your “work mode” and consume more inspiration in the form of reading, watching, and observing.

Separate work from consumption

Daydreaming and incubation are most effective on a project you’ve already invested a lot of creative effort into.
Incorporating breaks into your work-flow can increase your chance to come up with creative solutions to problems.

Daydream, and then get back to work

Creating “psychological” distance may be useful for breaking through a creative block.
Try to imagine your creative task as being disconnected and distant from your current position/location - this may make the problem more accessible and can encourage higher level thinking.

Create psychological distance

When it comes to creativity, one of our biggest concerns is usually how we can be more creative, or come up with better ideas. Research in this area is all over the place, but I've gathered some of the most practical studies out there to help you utilize specific techniques that can boost your creativity.