A five-year-old sees a cardboard box and builds a spaceship. You see recycling. Borrow their eyes.

A child has not yet learned what things are for, which is exactly why they can see what else a thing could be. Your categories make you fast and efficient, and they close options at the same time. The box stopped being interesting the moment it became cardboard rather than material.

For one small problem this week, ask what an object or an hour could be used for besides its intended purpose. Deliberately name three wrong answers before you settle on the sensible one. Loosening the category takes about a minute, and it is where most of the unexpected ideas live.