Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

Some Problems May Take More than One Pass to Solve

Do you ever find that you are so anxious to solve a problem that you take the first answer that comes to you or your group?

Sometimes that works beautifully. But sometimes you may need more than one approach and to be willing to experiment to find the best solutions.

The More the Merrier

One recommendation I have is to come up with several ideas instead of just one. You may still end up using that first idea but often you come up with even better solutions as you go deeper.

You may also end up combining ideas for a much more powerful solution.

What?’s Working and What?’s Not

One thing I?ve been tuned in to lately, though, is that sometimes you have a good solution to a challenge and once you implement it, you find that it can be tweaked and further refined for an even better solution.

Only you would not have come to that conclusion if you didn?t work through the first solution first. You don?t always understand enough until you start working through a problem to see things from a different perspective.

You can see what aspects of your solution work, what doesn?t, and what can be improved.

What does all this mean to you?

It means that your first attempts at solving a problem aren?t necessarily a failure if they don?t work out the way you hoped. They may be a stepping stone in the process.

Simply to be open to learning and experimenting until you are satisfied with the results.

Remember that old saying? If at first you don?t succeed, try, try again.

Do you have a problem or challenge that you are ready to make some adjustments to refine your initial solution?

P.S. If you need some help figuring things out, email me for an idea session or two.

Sometimes when you need a creative idea, you can use a
little help.

IdeaChampions.com has developed a fun way to play with your
challenge.  Free the Genie is a card deck for facilitating
problem solving and innovation.

You can sample it for free here
http://www.ideachampions.com/free_the_genie/

Roger Von Oech also has a card deck that I love called The
Creative Whack Pack with over 64 cards and strategies that
can help generate new ideas and allow you to come up with
some fresh ideas.

Check out the Creative Whack of the Day here

http://creativethink.com/1pu

My family and I took a road trip to visit family in Texas.

Spending several hours in the car has some definite advantages of allowing us time for some great conversations.

One of my favorite ways to figure things out is to think out loud and have a conversation.

My husband and I talked about the new ideas and direction I want to take with my business and I had several aha moments as we discussed things.

Even when the conversation was over, the momentum kept my brain continuing to add and refine the ideas.

I also love to write and create mindmaps but talking things out is one of the easiest and fun ways for me to get some great ideas.

What works best for you? When do you get the best ideas?

What helps you to gain perspective and to get clear?

Do you find writing in a journal, drawing, asking a question before bed, meditating, walking, researching, or talking to someone helps you to come up with your best ideas and strategies?

Often some of your best ideas will come when you are in a relaxed state. And sometimes you might be trying to think of something but it doesn’t come until you go off and do something else.

Be aware of when ideas seem to flow easily for you. Is it when you are in the shower, taking a walk, gardening, or?

And even if you find a favorite or two, I wouldn’t limit yourself to just those but be sure to include those strategies in your important decisions.

And most importantly, be prepared to write them down or record them on a digital recorder!

P.S. One of my subscribers, Vicki Barton, emailed me some great comments which I have her permission to share with you.

Sally, Car trips are the very best times to capture new creative ideas.

I read that driving across country allows us to focus on the distant horizon with infinite possibilities in between. With a “goal” so far away we can allow diversions without fearing we’ll choose the wrong path.  (I love that!)

I keep a notebook right at hand to capture the fleeting ideas.

I also collect random items like stones, feathers, or small objects, as well as photographs as concrete reminders. These all tuck in a small plastic box which is a joy to explore when we return home. Thank you for all your creative encouragement.