Creative out-of-the-box thinking and going through life with a critical eye have something in common.

This past weekend I spoke at the one-day Mom University event on how being a popular kid in school, the confinement to a few generic number of traits, behavioral and physical expressions, also somewhat stunts the development of more defined individual personality traits for a while, and that as parents we can help our kids along in breaking out of that mold. That requires critical thinking and creativity.

There is strength in numbers and generally we feel safer when we're among like-minded people. But staying true to yourself sometimes involves going out on a limb. The corporate world, for example, can feel so confining to a freethinker and non-conformist. Many have been breaking out of it for the past few years and become entrepreneurs to work on their own creative terms.

If you prefer to be one of many you may feel safer wearing a tie, if you don't mind sticking up for a bit more creativity you might choose a bowtie instead. Are you a tie or a bowtie kind of a person?