More than One Way to Skin a Cat: Adventures
in Creative Thinking
How many times have you caught
yourself saying
that there could be no other
solution to
a problem – and that 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.
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