Sometimes the hardest part of a problem is knowing where to begin. Several individuals simply wait till a good idea hits them, but creativity does not always occur that way. It develops by observation, experience, and how we perceive situations in our daily lives. Problem solvers are not necessarily the smartest ones in the room; they tend to remain curious and ready to consider alternative options.
According to studies by the World Economic Forum, creative ideas and the ability to solve problems have become one of the most prized skills that hiring companies seek at present. The motivating factor is the fact that these skills may be enhanced with basic routines. To train your mind to seek better solutions, you can recondition your vision of obstacles and your way of engaging with new ideas.
Stay Curious About Everyday Things
Most great ideas are first sparked by mere curiosity. One such example is the invention of Velcro. The curiosity arose when engineer George de Mestral was walking and spotted seeds on his clothes, and wondered how they worked. The observation became a popular fastening system later.
Rather than overlooking the shocking situations, stop and enquire. Why did this happen? Could it work differently? Such little questions help to think deeper and open the gate to new ideas.
Learn From Nature and Other Fields
The answers do not necessarily lie in your own place of research and your own industry. One time, the best ideas just happen to be totally different. To address human problems, scientists and engineers tend to research nature, which is what is referred to as biomimicry.
An example is where designers studied birds and improved the shape of the Japanese bullet train to reduce noise and increase speed.
Understand the Problem First
Rushing to solutions quickly usually results in poor performance. Effective problem solvers take time to know what is actually happening. Going to the setting of the problem or directly talking to people about the problem can bring out information that would be hard to notice.
It is said that when one understands a problem clearly, potential solutions start to come into the picture spontaneously. Giving time to see and feel the situation will provide your brain with improved information.
Describe the Problem Clearly
Having a clear problem statement also makes it very easy to solve. Consider it as a doctor examining an ill patient. The doctor poses questions regarding symptoms, history, and severity before recommending treatment.
You can do the same by taking notes on the important information: How long has the problem been present? What makes it better or worse? What has already been tried? Categorization of information also makes you view patterns and avoid confusion.
Talk to More People
Through conversations come good ideas. By telling others about the problems, you can hear other opinions. NASA has previously overcome a technological issue by means of a crowdsourcing challenge, whereby it found out that a person in the vicinity had solved the issue. The discovery was time- and money-saving.
Visiting events, workshops, or even the most informal conversations may reveal something useful to you, which you would never think of in isolation.
Expand Your Network
The process of meeting new individuals who are not part of your daily life may alter your thinking. Various backgrounds present varying approaches to problem-solving. Research conducted reveals that more innovative ideas are generated by teams that are varied due to the different manner in which team members tackle a problem.
Hearing individuals of different professions or cultures can make you realize that there is something you can do.
Write Down Your Ideas
Good ideas tend to be forgotten as they occur at the wrong time. Having a small notebook or notes on your phone can assist you in jotting down ideas as they come. The habit of writing them down is also a way to make your thinking easier and the problems easier. It could also happen when you go through your notes in the future that you can create patterns or links that result in superior solutions. The simplest ideas may develop into powerful solutions when they are documented and discussed further.
Conclusion
The development of creative problem-solving happens step by step as a result of curiosity, learning, and experience. As a result of simply getting time to think challenges through, listening to others, and being open to new experiences, your thinking becomes just more readily adaptable. You can gradually change your approach to problems by making small changes in your daily habits. Rather than waiting for inspiration, consistently practicing simple strategies and solutions will, over time, become more instinctive.
