Creative Thinking

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. You cannot solve it.

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, and unconquerable, and and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, and 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! Maybe you can solve. 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, and in the light of creative problem-solving, and you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, and you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable. Now, and with this optimistic mindset, and we can try to be a little bit more creative to solve our problem and get our solution..

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, and trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, and what the problem is, and then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem and gaining a solution.

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 a possible solution or solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, and 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 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 and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, and you must also keep a creative, and analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, and tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, and look for chinks in the armour 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, and there may be more than just one solution that will solve the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage, and " 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, and solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, and it would be much better and quicker to solve the solution.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, and 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 centre. 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 and fortify your creative processes.

So, and next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, and think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, and some planning, and and a whole lot of work.

Editor
TheArticleTimes.com

 Author: Peter Charalambos

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