Problem solving made easier
May 7th, 2008 by spaceagesage
Most of us approach problems with linear thinking. Unfortunately this is very limiting to our problem solving skills. Linear thinkers approach a problem by following one direction of thought that is often focused on the problem itself. For example, to approach building a better vehicle with linear thinking means breaking the machine down, examining each part for ways to improve them, and putting it back together to see if it is faster, stronger, or better.
Lateral thinking, a term coined by Dr. Edward de Bono, takes problem solving to another level. He is the one who said, “Removing the faults in a stage-coach may produce a perfect stage-coach, but it is unlikely to produce the first motor car.”
If you want a large, lovable pet, but are allergic to fur or feathers, the photo shows the lateral thinking option a friend of mine chose.
Lateral thinking often involves merging two previously uncombined ideas, features, or processes. A lateral approach to building a better vehicle might involve asking the questions, “How would I make this vehicle slower?” or “What if this vehicle was supposed to be a train?” or “Why is vehicle necessary in the first place?”
Each of those questions takes the mind out of the normal patterns and lays the groundwork for totally new, maybe even off-the-wall concepts. For example, by thinking of ways to slow the vehicle, a new braking system could be designed. By rethinking the design for a train, the vehicle might be made with sensors that “see” highway lines like tracks and give a reading for proximity to them. By establishing why the vehicle is necessary, a specialized mini-van for car poolers could be created as a multi-owner vehicle.
There are several techniques that can help generate lateral thinking. Let’s say the problem is coming up with ideas to write about in my blog on personal development and wisdom. Two ways to generate lateral thinking is to Speculate and Use a Random Word. Both can combine with humor to reveal the problem in a new light. For example, if I use What if statements about even outrageous or impossible things, I can bend my mind to come up with new post ideas:
1) Speculate
- What if I was writing to my grandmother or my most famous family relative about my subject? What if they were talking to me?
Post idea: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Family Sayings
- What if I was writing to my nieces’ kids in 20 years?
Post idea: The Timelessness of Common Sense
- What if I was writing my post to my hero or my worst enemy?
Post idea: How to Bring People Together with Vision
- What if I was writing to an alien culture, to Captain Kirk or to Adam and Eve?
Post idea: When Words Fail You in Tough Situations
- What subject would I never want to write about?
Post idea: What I Don’t Want You to Know
- What if this was my last post ever or if I was writing from beyond the grave?
Post idea: If I was to Die Today …
- What if I was told this post would be seen world wide, or by the pope, or the president of the US?
Post idea: What the World Needs Now
2) Use a random word
Let’s say I am still stuck on what to write in my blog (like that’s ever gonna happen!). I get the random word bridge from a friend or the dictionary. The first I thing I do is put aside the original problem and come up with everything about bridges I can think of that is practical or off the wall. Then I go back with the original problem and try to see it “through” the ideas, insights, definitions, or aspects of a bridge:
- Traffic is often two way
Post idea: Do Relationships Really Need to Be a Two-Way Street?
- Held up by support structures
Post idea: How to Survive Living on Thin Ice
- Usually spans difficult travel areas like deep places or water
Post idea: Is Anger a Danger or a Warning of Danger?
- Traffic travels the flat part of bridge
Post idea: How to Make the Best of the Fast Lane
- Doesn’t usually fork, but usually goes straight from point A to point B
Post idea: Three Rules for Making Sane Decisions
- Can collapse, like during earthquakes
Post idea: How to Handle Relationship Rough Spots
- If you are afraid of heights, you may not like bridges
Post idea: Fear is Just Another Word for “AAAAAHHHH!”
- You can bungee jump from some bridges
Post idea: Fun can Increase Productivity
As you can see, lateral thinking is about joining two ideas together just to be able to see the current problem anew through the qualitites, principles or processes of a second concept. As de Bono says, “Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”
POCKET-THOUGHT:
Many of us experience lateral thinking when we go to bed and sleep on a problem. Somehow the mind combines ideas together while we snooze and come morning, wallah! the answer is right there in front of us. Lateral thinking does the same thing, but deliberately.
Do you have a problem perplexing you right now? Your random word of the day is acorn. Can you combine your random word and the problem to come up with an inventive solution? If you need more help, try this site.
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Photo credit: speech path girl