Life is one long string of problems waiting to be solved. There are personal problems, business problems, family problems, creative problems, economic problems, technical problems, social problems, small large, huge, and seemingly unsolvable problems.
Every day we’re presented with one challenge or another framed by its own level of difficulty. Some problems are easily solved. Others not so much and stubbornly resist our best effort at a solution.
So how do we approach these problems? How do we get out of the box of our restricted world-view and find that elusive answer and once out where do we look? How do we find those key ideas that unlock the gate?
STRATEGY
The journey begins with a strategy of clearly defining the problem. By asking penetrating and incisive questions our thoughts will be organized and focused on particulars. Working from a detailed view we will be in a better position to generate ideas that might lead us to a workable solution.
To formulate these all-important quality questions, we must understand our biases and cherished preconceptions that lead to inevitable dead-ends. The world of limited perspective is often defined as a box constructed of various constraints along with the fear of making mistakes. Together these limiters blind us to answers that seem painfully obvious, once found.
Here are four different approaches that can be profitably used to clearly define problems and find solutions through the cultivation of workable ideas. With patience, consistent and persistent effort paired with a strong motivation, no problem is insurmountable.
INDIVIDUAL BRAINSTORMING
“Individual Brainstorming” typically involves free writing, free speaking, word association, and the construction of mind maps as a visual representation of thought. Individual brainstorming is especially useful in creative writing .” [1]
1. Clearly define the problem
2. Develop a set of questions that generate ideas.
3. Evaluate these ideas.
4. Ideas should be practical and not require resources or skills we don’t or can’t have.
5. If specific resources or skills are needed these should be acquired first.
6. Steps necessary for implementing an idea must be clear.
7. Milestones should be defined to evaluate progress
8. Incentives and rewards are important to maintaini motivation.
QUESTION BRAINSTORMING
This approach has also been called ‘questorming‘ and can be done individually or in a group.
The immediate goal is not that of producing ideas or immediate answers, but instead maintaining an exclusive focus on shaping questions that form the framework for future action.
Removing the pressure to produce helps the mind to relax and ultimately encourages creativity.[2] Once a list of questions has been drawn-up they should be prioritized to find the best solution for the problem at hand.
MIND MAPPING
Also called webs, mind-webbing, or webbing, mind maps have been used for centuries as a visual thinking tool for problem solving.
Leaning more toward the intuitive while fully integrating logical thought, mind maps are a pictorial method for graphically representing in a hierarchical tree structure the relationships between central and supporting ideas. These maps are constructed using shape, line, text, colors, and symbols.
There area also many mind mapping software applications available that can enormously expand the scope of mind maps traditionally built on paper. These applications can organize large quantities of information including not only thoughts and ideas, but websites, spreadsheets, documents and images.
• What are the best questions we need to ask right now?
• Is there a better way to state that question?
• What are the standards by which we decide that one question is better than another?
• How can we best organize the questions in descending order of quality?
• Who or what should ask the question?
• To whom or what should the question be directed?
• How should the question be asked?
• When or under what conditions should the question be asked?
• Where should the question be asked?
• Why should the question be asked?
• Should the question be asked?
For a complete list of questions click here.
SIX THINKING HATS
The Six Thinking Hats System is a thinking tool of Edward De Bono. This method is closely related to de Bono’s work on the creative process and closely tied to his theory of Lateral Thinking. Central to this idea that the human mind gains the most comprehensive overall view of any issue when thinking about it at different levels, and from different perspectives.
According to the Six Thinking Hats system, different facets of thought are each considered metaphorically as, not surprisingly, a hat. Each is assigned a color with corresponding characteristics or qualities. When a particular hat is worn, the predefined qualities of the hat dictate the perspective from which the issue should be viewed.
In this manner each problem is considered more broadly with these varied perspectives encouraging deeper and more creative thinking about the issue under consideration.
White Hat: Represents Facts and Information
Black Hat: Represents Logic, Evaluation, Criticism
Red Hat: Represents Feelings and Emotion
Yellow Hat: Represents Optimism
Green hat: Represents New Ideas
Blue Hat: Represents The Big Picture; Thinking About Thinking.
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