More than One Way to Skin a Cat: Adventures in 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.


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 openminded 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.

The Powers of a Positive Attitude

The Powers of a Positive Attitude

I am going to ask you to something very weird right now. First of all, I want you to listen to your thoughts. Now tell me, what thoughts fill your head? Would you label them as positive, or negative? Now let's say you are walking down the street with these thoughts. Do you think anyone who would meet you would be able to tell you what’s on your mind?

The answer to number one is up to you. But, the answer number two can be pretty generic. Although people will not be able to tell you exactly what you think, they will more or less have an idea of how you are feeling.
Here's another question. When you enter a party filled with friends, do they all fall silent as if something terrible had happened? Or does everybody there perk up as if waiting for something exciting to
happen? You know what? The answer to all these depends on your frame of mind.

Thoughts are very powerful. They affect your general attitude. The\ attitude you carry reflects on your appearance, too – unless, of course,you are a great actor.

And it doesn't end there. Your attitude can also affect people around you.

The type of attitude you carry depends on you. It can be either positive or negative.
Positive thoughts have a filling effect. They are admittedly invigorating.Plus, the people around the person carrying positive thoughts are usually energized by this type of attitude.

Negative thoughts on the other hand have a sapping effect on other people. Aside from making you look gloomy and sad, negative thoughts can turn a festive gathering into a funeral wake.

A positive attitude attracts people, while a negative attitude repels them. People tend to shy away from those who carry a negative attitude.

We can also define attitude as the way of looking at the world. If you choose to focus on the negative things in the world, more or less you have a negative attitude brewing up. However, if you choose to focus
on the positive things, you are more likely carry a positive attitude. You have much to gain from a very positive attitude. For one, studies have shown that a positive attitude promotes better health. Those with
this kind of attitude also have more friends. projecting a positive attitude also helps one to handle stress and problems better than those who have a negative attitude.

A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. If you will love the way you are and are satisfied, confident, and self-assured, you also make others are around feel the same way.

A negative attitude, on the other hand, has, of course, an opposite effect. So, carrying a negative attitude has a twofold drawback. You feel bad about yourself, and you make others feel the same way.
If you want to have a positive attitude, you have to feature healthy thoughts. This is probably very hard to do nowadays since, all around us, the media feeds us nothing but negative thoughts. A study shows
that for every 14 things a parent says to his or her child, only one is positive. This is truly a saddening thought.

If you want a healthier outlook in life, you need to think happy thoughts, and you have to hear positive things as well. So, what can you do? Well, for starters, you could see a funny movie, you could play with children, spend some time telling jokes with friends. All these activities fill you with positive stimuli, which in turn promotes positive attitude.

Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, you can still carry a positive attitude by focusing on the good things, the positive things in life. And this positive attitude you now carry can be of benefit to other people. Sometimes when other people feel down, the thing people
mostly do is try to give them advice. But sometimes, all they need is somebody to sit by them, and listen to them. If you have a positive attitude you may be able to cheer them up without even having to say anything.

If positive attitude is really great, why do people choose to adopt a negative attitude instead? One who carries a negative attitude may be actually sending a signal for attention. Before you get me wrong, feeling sad, angry, or gloomy is not wrong itself. But dwelling on these thoughts for far too long is not healthy either. There is a time to mourn.

As always, if you are beset by troubles, even in your darkest hour,focus on the good things in life, you will always have hope. Problems become something you can overcome.You do not have much to lose by adopting a healthy, positive attitude.Studies show that such an attitude actually retards aging, makes you
healthier, helps you develop a better stress coping mechanism, and has a very positive effect on all the people you meet every day. So, what's not to like about a positive attitude? Adopt one today.