Keenen Ivory Wayans

“Creativity is the answer. I always prefer the creative solution to an expensive solution.”

4 Creative Ways To Make Problem Solving Easier

There is more than one way to solve the challenges in our lives that can come at us from many different directions.

Different people have different problem solving skills particular to their own unique personalities.

Your approach may not work for me.

As mentioned in my last post,

3 Approaches To Make Problem Solving Easier,

we covered the Methodical Approach to solve your challenges.

This article gives you another problem solving technique, The Creative Approach.

When resources are limited, or unconventional problems pop up, we may want to use a creative approach to get the job done.

Let's get started.

Try Different Solutions To A Problem

Frequently, straightforward problems can be resolved using the logical, methodical approach. But solutions to other problems require a different approach.

One way is to use a creative approach that utilizes thinking outside the box.

The first technique you can apply is to rely on your emotions as a guide. Discovering great solutions can come in the form of a gut feeling that we so often ignore.

After all the logical thinking is done, take one more step. Check in with your gut. You may not rely totally on that gut response, but using a combination of gut feeling and logical analytics will work.

You can consider the logical solution, but also consider your thoughts, feelings, and the way your proposed solutions affect others.

Don't be afraid to utilize this creative approach and see what works best for you.

Brainstorm All Possibilities

Many times, the pressure to solve your problems are so pressing that all you want to do is to solve it as quickly as possible.

The urgency to get a fast resolution sometimes causes us to go with the first idea that comes to mind.

The second technique to a more creative approach is to slow down, and spend some time brainstorming all the possibilities that could bear on the problem.

Knowing that there is more than one viable solution to any problem, get as many possible alternatives as you can out there to consider.

Once you get started, the creative ideas will flow.

Write down all the possible alternative that you uncover in the brainstorming session, and cross off the least plausible ones first.

You may be left with more gems than you thought possible.

Pick the best ones, and put them to the test.

Get Advice From Others

We are fortunate to live in a time where access to valuable information is more prevalent than ever before.

At our fingertips, we can access experts from all over the world. If we want more effective solutions that have been proven to work, get advice from others who have implemented the solutions you are desiring.

The objective to gain as many perspectives as possible is the idea behind this technique.

As the saying goes, "There's nothing new under the sun." If you are having a problem, there is someone out there who has experienced the same issue.

Even if you don't take the advice, get it anyway so that you have done your due diligence to look at all the possibilities.

Monitor Your Progress

On your way towards a promising solution, monitor your progress. It may even benefit you to actually journal your progress along the way.

Why is this important?

The first reason is that monitoring your progress will inform you when what you are doing is not working.

If your solution is not working exactly as planned, it may be necessary to do a pivot. A pivot is a correction along the way.

When you monitor your progress, you will have a record that you can reference, now and in the future.

You can record your progress, successes, and the path to overcome challenges.

Also, review your successes when things get hard. This helps build your motivation to keep moving forward in the mist of difficulty.

Conclusion

There are many problems we will encounter along our road to accomplishment, and there are many ways to solve those challenges.

A logical methodical approach is necessary in certain situations, but there is another approach.

The creative technique to problem solving involves looking at the logical and emotional side of all possible solutions. Check your gut instincts. They may be revealing.

Make the time to ensure you are brainstorming all the possible solutions so that you can pick the best ones.

With all the access to experts all over the world, you can get advice from those who have solved the exact challenges you're experiencing.

Finally, tracking your progress is an barometer to keep you on track.

Stack the problem solving deck in your favor by giving the creative approach a try.

Your success is always on the other side of challenges.

Question?

Even when faced with strong disagreement, can you find a way to agree on one central idea?

Thank You

Hope it helps you in some way.

Please post a comment below, and let me know what you think.

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And remember,

"Make something great happen today."