As humans, we can tend to let ourselves fall into familiar routines, especially while working. On the subject of habit, philosopher William James wrote: “Any sequence of mental action which has been frequently repeated tends to perpetuate itself.”

I have witnessed the autopilot work mentality, from severe creative block to those people who don’t realize they have a problem. Either way, it’s always worth asking whether there’s a better approach to take. Here are four steps that I recommend taking to move away from the autopilot state of mind:

Step 1: If you’re stuck or not sure, ask “What if?” Are you treading water? What are your work goals that you haven’t yet achieved? Can you imagine a new way of achieving those goals? If you answer “I can’t,” then it’s time to reframe how you think. “I can’t” predetermines unaccomplished goals; asking the question “What if?” is the first step to opening the door of possibility.

Step 2: Start making the “What ifs?” real with your work team. Schedule a meeting and start with a silent warm-up ideation period of three minutes, and then write down as many “What if” ideas as possible. Let people come up with ideas at the same time and write them down, so more vocal people don’t have an advantage. Share the ideas with your team. Lather, rinse and repeat the process for more ideas.

Step 3: Follow good response practices when ideas are shared. There are helpful guidelines when responding to a group. Saying “plus one” means you have a similar suggestion to one being shared. It streamlines the process and strengthens bonds between those with similar ideas.

“Plus love” is a good way to express that you wish you came up with the idea. Hearing “plus love” on a crazy idea encourages you to come up with more crazy ideas and enables the group creatively. “I’m good” is a nicer and more positive way of saying “I don’t have any more ideas.”

Step 4: Filter your ideas. How much do you love an idea? Does it solve a real need? Will the idea save money and is it feasible? You may have 50 ideas, which you’ll want to whittle down to a single digit. Refine the evaluation by asking how easy or difficult an idea would be to execute. Then consider the “wow”—meaning how much this would impact one’s life, or how much a customer would like it.

It is one thing to offer a person fresh ideas, but it’s much better to teach them how to discover new ideas for themselves.