Educators can help themselves and others improve their creative thinking. Before the improvement can begin, there must be a common understanding of what creativity is. Edward Land described creativity as the sudden cessation of stupidity. Several barriers to creative thinking include boredom, lack of challenge, believing expertise in a particular area is necessary for creativity in that field, and not realizing that creativity involves hard work. Four steps to help improve creative thinking include: (1) preparation--in order to get a good idea it is necessary to have several ideas; (2) incubation--letting the subconscious do the work; (3) illumination--"Eureka, I've got it!"; and (4) verification--filling in the details and following a linear plan. Ideas must be translated into a plan of action in order for change to occur. Finally, creativity training must be everyone's responsibility. (KM)