When faced with a problem or a difficult decision at work, we normally try to solve it in a serious, methodical way. Although this often works, many of us leave out a critical tool in our problem-solving arsenal, and that's the ability to use creativity to solve problems. We've all heard of it - usually deemed "thinking outside the box" or "from left field", but many of us either don't practise this or don't know how. Here are some tips on how to unleash your creative side when faced with a problem or decision:

Use your unconscious

Okay, so sleeping with a dictionary under your pillow isn't going to increase your word power, but this myth underlines something true about our unconscious mind, and that's the fact that it's constantly at work on our problems and thoughts without us realising it. Try to outline your problem to yourself before bed or a nap.

Don't try to think of solutions, just feel out the problem and what is preventing its resolution. The old adage "things always look better in the morning" applies to problems, too - your mind is still working while you're asleep, so you never know - you may suddenly have a solution on waking, or even in your dreams.

Divide and Conquer

If you can, try to break down a problem into smaller chunks. Or even before that - analyse your problem from a different angle, and it may turn out not to be a problem at all.

For example, if your problem is that you're unsatisfied in your job - you may think a solution is to leave the company. That may not be true.

Try looking at it from another, more positive angle - what is it about your current role that isn't satisfying you? Is there a different career path in the same company with cross over skills that you have? Could you map out the steps you'll need to make the crossover? This is, again, making problems bite-size rather than thinking that they are a scary, all-encompassing and insurmountable.

Get it out of your system

Another good creative problem-solving technique is to write down your problem in as much detail is you can. The simple act of writing it down and "getting it out of your head" and onto paper can trigger a new process in your brain that may find a solution.

Another idea is to share it with a third party. The proverb "a problem shared is a problem halved" is popular for a reason. Other people's creativity, combined with your own, can be a very good way of solving a problem. That's why business processes such as brainstorming work so well - it's a team effort to solve a common problem.

Another way of getting a problem out of your head and your perspective is to role-play. Pretend you're a manager, a customer, or even the CEO - how would you look at this problem? Who could you ask about it? What powers do you have to start addressing it? This simple creative exercise may unleash another solution to the problem.

If you're still stuck, remember you can use other business tools such as delegation or team-building to both share the problem and try to solve it with the help of others. Very frequently, there is no need to work through a solution on your own.