About this quote

Letting fantasy into your day loosens rigid thinking and makes odd options visible. Use it like a practical tactic: sketch a wild, silly solution, tell a ridiculous version of the problem, or shrink the scene in your head to reveal different priorities. When was the last time you deliberately looked at a choice through a more playful lens? It won't solve every problem, but a short flight of imagination often points to a simple test you can run right away.

When to use it

• Work — At a product brainstorm the lead says, "Dr. Seuss said fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living — sketch the most ridiculous prototype you can and see what actually matters."
• Study — In a creative writing workshop the instructor tells the class, "Write a two-paragraph scene using the wrong end of the telescope idea; make everything oddly small and see what new details show up."
• Family — Tucking the kids into bed a parent jokes, "Let's do a Dr. Seuss night: imagine the house the size of a marble and tell the silliest story you can."
• Health — During physical rehab a therapist suggests, "Picture the exercises as tiny game moves; use a bit of fantasy to make the repetitions feel lighter and more doable."