"Creative ideas reside in people’s minds but are trapped by fear or rejection. Create a judgment-free environment and you’ll unleash a torrent of creativity."
- Alex Osborn

When did we become so judgmental? It seems like everyday, I hear someone criticizing another person for their beliefs, ideas, or actions. I don't know about you, but I have enough to do to watch my own behavior. I don't have time to judge other people.

One of the problems with becoming a judgmental society is that we rob ourselves and others of creativity. To be truly creative, judgment has to be suspended at least long enough to allow the "fluency of ideation" - lots of ideas, even ones that might not be too rational.

Have you ever been part of a real brainstorming session? For brainstorming to work, everyone who participates has to follow the rule of suspending judgment. This can be difficult. It means that no one can utter the phrases, "It will never work" or "Are you crazy?" It means there can be no eye rolling or snorting (except from laughter.)

One of the hardest things for me to get across to my students is that when you are trying to solve a problem, the first solution is not necessarily the best. My students are not alone in this. I see even experienced business people latch onto the first idea that crosses their minds when trying to solve a problem. Very often, if they had simply allowed themselves the time to come up with a few more ideas, they might have found a solution that would save them time, money, and energy and be much more effective.

Life is moving at such a lightning pace that we have to slow down occasionally and allow those better ideas entry. Suspend your judgment – of others and yourself – and give those new ideas a chance to flourish.

Last month's contest apparently wasn't as easy as I thought since I received no correct responses. I'm going to assume you all just needed more time, so I'll repeat it: Find the logic in this series of numbers: 0, 1, 8, 10, 19, 90. Why can't the series continue?

I have a gift certificate from Entree's just waiting for the winner.

My friend Cheryl Cook has a wonderful newsletter (and if you like this one, you'll like hers, too.) Cheryl's suggestions will help you get more cash in your pocket, more sales in the door, and reduce the amount of cash leaving your business. To visit her website and sign up for this biweekly ezine, click here.

Join me at the 5th Annual Small, Minority and Women Business Owners Conference on December 14 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Once a year, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County join forces to provide businesses with an opportunity to meet buyers from local, state, and Federal agencies and private corporations.

We're holding a FREE reception at the Marriott Riverwalk the night before (Tuesday, December 13). You'll have a chance to meet some of the buyers in a more informal setting and also network with other small, minority, and women-owned businesses. It will be an exciting event. We'll have music and food and even a barge ride on the river so you can enjoy the holiday lights. Sponsorships are still available. Please contact me if you are interested.

If you can volunteer, please contact me and I'll put you in touch with Linda Ramirez and Michele Bussone who are coordinating the volunteers. (This year, my job is the party the night before! Yay!)

Check out the information on the County's website - and decide on parking early. We're missing a parking lot so you'll need to plan accordingly.