December 27th-31st : Twixtmas : five days to change your world...

1. Think flexibly 24 7 - regard everything as an opportunity, even setbacks and problems. You are never more than 12ft from an opportunity. Every person, every object is an inspiration or link to a solution.
2. Ask beautiful questions; the key to outstanding creativity is asking the right, or 'beautiful question'. Start by making a list of every possible question you can think about the challenge you face for 2009. Then group them into ideally five chunks. Give each chunk a heading. You now have created a strategy map for yourself for 2009, highlighting the key  strands of the issues you face
3. Bounce back: inevitably you will obstacles, objections to your ideas or plans for change. The outstanding creative person is more often marked not by the inherent quality of their thinking, more from their taking knocks and setbacks and coming back for more punishment.
4. Create a future magnet. Create a meaningful picture of the new world you want to create. The more vivid and coherent your vision, the more powerful it acts as a future magnet to draw you to it from your present situation. Write down 10 goals for 2010. Keep checking your list throughout the year. It's a great tool for realizing your ambitions.
5. You'll never walk alone is true in creativity as it is as a football chant. You can never realise your dreams without the help, co-operation or tacit approval of others. Ask 'what's in it for them?' in seeking their help.
6. Always give more - go the extra yard. Reflect back on anything you have done well in life, and you will recognise how you went the extra distance in some way. Always identify if the challenge has meaning for you.

"If you read the economic forecasts you hear about doom and gloom. Sure times may be hard but you will create a better future for yourself by being creative in your thinking." said Andy Green. "Those who think flexibly will be the ones to survive- and succeed."

Andy Green's 5 books for Twixtmas reading include:

1. The Geography of Bliss - Eric Weiner
2. The Creative Habit - Twyal Thar
3. Hot, flat and crowded - Thomas L. Friedman
4. The Black Swan - Nichollas Taleb
5. The Book of Gossage

About Andy Green

Andy Green is a leading expert and author on creativity, flexible thinking, opportunity spotting, creative public relations and personal brandcasting.

He is the author of 'Creativity in Public Relations', the world's first book on the subject, now in its third edition and translated into Russian, Chinese, Polish, Indonesian, Croatian, Latvian and Korean.

His book, 'Effective Personal Communications', coined the term 'personal brandcasting;. although there are hundreds of self development books on how each of us are personal brands, none demonstrate how you communicate your brand.

Andy is also co-author of 'A minute with Tony Blair', inspired by a chance meeting he had with the former British Prime Minister, which demonstrates how set backs or things going wrong can provide you with your best opportunities.

Andy's latest book, 'Overcome Stupidity in the World Around You - the Stupid Aid Survival Guide' demonstrates to everyone who thinks the world is more stupid, or wants to overcome bureaucratic thinking, how creative flexible thinking is the nemesis of stupidity.

Andy is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, and recipient of the Institute's Sir Stephen Tallents medal for services to the profession. He is a partner with his own award-winning brand and public relations agency GREEN communications and also founder of creativity@work, a specialist creative thinking skills agency.

Each January he demonstrates how to turn a negative into a positive with his worldwide campaign marking 'Blue Monday', the most depressing day of the year.

He provides valuable insights, processes and techniques to inspire his audiences to transform their work, generate new ideas, or new insights to achieve more less, to work faster, cheaper or better. He is also an all round fun person presenting in an engaging style bringing great empathy, humour and honesty to his events.

Andy's media profile includes numerous TV appearances for BBC, ITV, BBC Five Live, Sky News and various international media.

Andy describes himself as 'a mini global celebrity in a micro niche' and has delivered events for Microsoft in Seattle, E Bay in Paris, the UK Government (Dept. of Health, Environment Agency), Etisalat in Dubai, Pace plc, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Perth, various state government events across Australia, numerous UK universities including Cambridge and Warwick, the British Council in Cairo, the Chartered Institutes of Public Relations and Marketing.

Andy, is still just 50, married and described in a BBC radio profile on him that his greatest creative success is his two daughters.