Have you ever encountered a problem only to become stumped trying to come up with a solution? How often have you found yourself saying that there is just no possible answer and you think that you have reached a dead end?
From time to time the problems that we are faced with may be so huge that one may feel like they are hammering against a brick wall. The stress involved with having to solve such a problem can be more than just a little overwhelming.
But have faith and rejoice, for there may be hope yet!
With a more optimistic mindset, a person will find that they are more creative when solving their problems. This article identifies seven creative problem-solving techniques.
1. Take note of assumptions and constraints with the problem. Oftentimes, these assumptions can obstruct our view of possible solutions. Note which assumptions are not valid and which need to be addressed.
2. You need to take a hard look at what the problem really is. Know the problem and have a concrete understanding of what it is about. By knowing what the problem is and how it works, you may find that you will have built a better foundation towards solving the problem.
Identify all the participating entities and then decide what their relationship is to one another. Take note of all the things you stand to gain or loss due to the current problem. Once you have considered the following you should have a clear and simple statement of what the problem is.
3. Try solving the problem in parts. For example, going from the more general views to the more detailed parts of the problem may solve it. This method is called the top down approach. First, write down a question and then come up with a general one-sentence solution, now you will be able to develop the solution even further.
4. It is important to keep a creative and analytical voice of reason at the back of your head. If someone else suggests a solution, be creative, think of how to make the solution work. Also think realistically and look for any possible weak links in the suggested solution.
5. Remain open-minded to the fact that there may be more than one solution to the problem. Keep track of them and go with the one that best fits your situation.
6. You know the old saying, “two heads are better than one.” It is so very true, so remember to be open to new ideas. There may be answers for problems that you thought were unsolvable. You will benefit from listening to others, especially when the information is coming from someone who has had experience with a similar problem to yours.
7. Be patient. There is always the chance that the solution will present itself. Remember, no one is able to come up with the right invention the first time around.
So the next time that a problem arises and you think that you are unable to solve it, think again. The solution could be staring you in the face. It just takes some planning, time and a little creative thinking.
Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of besuccessfulnews.com, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.
Copyright 2005 Stephen Pierce
So, you have a problem that you need to solve quick. You have
agonized over this issue for hours, days, months, or even years
and you still can’t resolve it. Well, don’t worry my friend; the
answer is already within you. You simply need to call forth your
creative energy in order to bring the answer into your focused
mind.
How do you do this? It is easy. You simply utilize creative
problem solving, that’s how. Creative what? Creative problem
solving. You see, creative problem solving is the powerful act
of utilizing internal out-of-the box creativity to solve
everyday problems.
Creativity that is already inside of you and the good news is
that it can be done by anyone with any type of problem. It
matters not if you’re a toddler or a sassy sexy citizen, it
matters not if you are a housewife or a neurosurgeon, you can
solve problems creatively and you can do it without stressing
out. All you have to do is follow these basic creative problem
solving steps:
1. Visualize ultimate success. Don’t dwell on negative thinking
for doing so will block your creative energy. Instead, you
should always revel in the fact that the answer is already
within you. You simply have to pull it forward from your
creative mind. Visualizing failure will block your creative
energy and visualizing success will bring it forward.
2. Be still and know that the answer is within you. There is
absolutely no need to fear that the problem can’t be solved. The
answer will come to you if you stop worrying and take a more
relaxed approach. Be quiet and still and allow the creative
ideas to come forth. In addition, always be willing to just sit
still and let your thoughts wonder freely.
3. Be patient. Don’t rush the creative problem solving process.
It sometimes takes a while for your creativity to solve a
problem so don’t become frustrated if the problem isn’t resolved
right away. Instead, enjoy the creative process for what it
really is, an internal process and be open and receptive to
allowing those new solutions to come forward.
4. Create a positive environment. The creative mind flourishes
in a healthy and positive atmosphere so if you are having a hard
time creatively solving a problem then you may need to create a
more positive and uplifting environment. This can be done by
cleaning up, adding plants, burning aromatherapy candles, or
doing whatever you can to create a creative and positive
environment. For once you have a creative environment in place;
your creativity problem solving skills will burst forward.
5. Take time away. If possible, take some time away to really
allow your creative problem solving abilities to materialize.
Sometimes you need a change of scenery and other times you just
need time away. However, you must be willing to give your spirit
what it needs, a mini vacation to sort through your thoughts and
come up with the perfect solution.
6. Engage others in the creative process. If you get stuck and
can’t seem to get out of a rut, it may be a good idea to discuss
your problem with others. Sometimes they can provide creativity
problem solving techniques that will help you. They may also be
able to solve the problem for you. The important thing however
is to only enlist the help of like minded and positive people
like you. You don’t want to ask someone to assist that will
instill negative energy into your mind.
7. Meditate. Meditation is one of the best ways to engage your
creative problem solving skills. By elevating yourself to a
different level of consciousness you become more intoned with
your thought processes and can truly see the connection better
than when you are distracted. For this reason, meditation is a
great way to engage creative problem solving.
By following the above basic steps, you can and will creatively
solve any problem that may come your way. You’ll solve problems
with confidence and less stress than if you simply followed
traditional methods. So, enjoy the problem solving process by
using creative problem solving techniques now and for the rest
of your life!
Stephen Pierce business strategist who provides strategies that
make growing profits in your business a fast reality. Learn how
to get Marketing Momentum for real business success. To receive
your free online video coaching visit:
http://www.stephenlive.com or request your free Innovation Audit
at http://www.innovationmarketers.com
How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem and that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.
Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain, large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you’re hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.
But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!
With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.
First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.
Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.
Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.
Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.
Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.
Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.
Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.
Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.
Number six; remember that old adage,” two heads are better than one.” That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you’re talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.
You don’t have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.
Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.
Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.
Here is one example.
Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.
So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.
| person(s) online right now