Why is creativity so important?

Here are four keys to becoming more creative:

1. Sensitivity & Awareness - use all of your senses to discover "why does this happen?". Often this is called using the "beginner's mind" in the Zen concept of Shoshin. It is also called the ability to "go to the balcony" and observe from outside the situation you are in.
2. Synergy - Explore the possibilities of synergy. Can we reconfigure or combine what we have so the sum of the parts will be greater than the whole?
3. Simplicity & Coherence -
4. Serendipity - Make use of the faculty of making unexpected discoveries of things you are not looking for. Consciously increase your awareness of relvancy in accidental happenings
5. Make it Visual