| Steve Gillman | | | | mailbox might make you think of writing him a |
| Learning a few good problem solving techniques | | | | letter (and a billboard might make you laugh). A |
| can improve your bottom line and your life. | | | | tree might give you no ideas, but then a frail |
| | | | roadworker might make you think, "maybe he is |
| Using Your Unconscious Mind | | | | just in the wrong position, and he can do a good |
| Let your unconscious mind do your problem | | | | job elsewhere in the company." |
| solving. Outline a problem in your mind before | | | | Using this problem solving technique, you'll have |
| going to sleep, and tell your brain to go to work. | | | | many silly ideas pop into your head. Don't be too |
| Einstein had good luck with this technique, | | | | dismissive of them, as they will sometimes trigger |
| sometimes getting the "ah-ha" insight while | | | | a thought that is more useful. You can use this |
| shaving the next morning. | | | | creative technique anywhere, and it's great for |
| Next, instruct your mind to keep working on the | | | | putting driving time to good use. |
| problem while you do other things. There is more | | | | Solve Problems By Causing Them |
| than we know going on inside our heads. An | | | | One way to solve problems is to ask how you |
| answer may come to you when you least expect | | | | can cause them. This is good technique for |
| it. | | | | personal problems. Too much stress? Think of |
| Try working on problems when you are in a | | | | ways to cause more stress. Hmm...promise too |
| drowsy state. This can result in more creative | | | | much, don't sleep enough, allow constant |
| solutions. | | | | interruptions, leave many decisions hanging there |
| Systematic Problem Solving Techniques | | | | unresolved, and so on. Each of these ways to |
| Challenge assumptions. For example, if you are | | | | cause stress can show you something. If you |
| assuming you need a better or higher-paying job, | | | | make fewer promises, sleep more, don't allow too |
| ask "do I really need a better job?" Maybe you | | | | many interruptions, make decisions now (to get |
| can get a raise, or somehow make the job you | | | | them off your mind), you might be more relaxed. |
| have better. A business on the side might be an | | | | Need customers? How can you scare them |
| option. Don't let your assumptions limit the possible | | | | away? The point is that if you only look at the |
| solutions. | | | | problem from the perspective of "How do I solve |
| Break it down. Buying a house is a big move that | | | | it?" you tend to see only solutions based on your |
| is really a bunch of small steps. This is true of | | | | hidden assumptions. If, for example, you are |
| many problems. Start by addressing all of the | | | | assuming that your stress is simply due to having |
| components of a problem individually, and it may | | | | too many things to do, you may miss many |
| not seem so overwhelming. This makes it easier | | | | solutions. So looking at how to cause a problem |
| to motivate yourself. | | | | will show you more ways to solve it. |
| Ask others for advice. They may or may not | | | | Still More Problem Solving Techniques |
| have good ideas, but in any case this helps you | | | | Try "assuming the absurd." Putting stores in the |
| be sure that you are not overlooking anything | | | | homes of consumers was an absurd idea at one |
| obvious. | | | | time, but isn't that what television shopping |
| Write it down. Then find another way to express | | | | networks and internet stores do? What at first |
| the problem and write that down. Continue with all | | | | seems crazy may lead to ideas that are useful. |
| solutions and ideas that come to mind. Write | | | | Backpackers get tired of carrying heavy packs, |
| down everything. Later you can pick the | | | | so one pursued the "crazy" idea, "What if |
| diamonds out of the dirt. | | | | backpacks had wheels?" It's for sale now (the |
| Change your perspective. Imagine you are rich, | | | | "Wheelpacker"), and it can handle most rough |
| poor, a child, a visitor from another planet. How | | | | trails with its modified bicycle wheel. |
| would you see the problem from this new | | | | Pick a few absurd solutions or ideas related to the |
| perspective? Einstein imagined riding on a beam of | | | | problem at hand, and work with them for a few |
| light, which lead to his theory of relativity, so this | | | | minutes to see what comes to mind. If "assuming |
| technique has been known to work. | | | | the absurd" is difficult for you, start by "assuming |
| More Problem Solving Techniques | | | | the opposite." Need to lower expenses? What if |
| Randomly pick an object, and ask what it can | | | | you raise them instead? Find a way to make |
| teach you about your problem. If you're looking | | | | sense of that, and you are on your way to |
| for a way to fire a bad employee, for example, a | | | | creative problem solving. |