Solving Problems

 

Try to define the problem in as many ways as you can. Compare the present status with the desired status. Analyze the differences. Break the problem into sub-problems. Consider each separately and decide to discuss it, delegate, or seek a second expert opinion.

 

Switch over to your left-brain. Close your eyes and try to perceive what is happening in your mind. You could catch visuals or sounds pertaining to your problem. Keep jotting down whatever you see or hear with your “inner mind” - keeping your eyes closed. Don't worry about your handwriting or orderliness on paper.

 

Open your eyes after 10 minutes and look at the paper. It could spark off another mental journey. Repeat the process.

 

Dream solutions: Dreams provide solutions - if you know how to read them. There is a wealth of visuals, emotions, and imagery with no pretense to logic and reality. Scientists confirm that the right brain dominates during the dream state. Here's how you can tap it: Develop an awareness of your dreams. State your problem broadly. You can be specific only after time and experience.

 

Visualize doing the very opposite. For example, if you have a bee in your bonnet about public transport, contemplate a system that obviates the need for it. You could end up a millionaire devising a (patented) system of moving roads. You could also design a public stairway to heaven.

 

Watch the space around the problem instead of the problem itself: say, you want to sketch an object in front of you - one way is drawing everything in the space around it. Most management problems can be solved this way.

 

Take nothing for granted: assume that all assumptions are wrong, even if they look right.

 

Shift to left for the final solution. Start jotting down your comments, judging, asking relevant questions, and exterminating irrelevant thoughts.