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Time to put it all together. Ready to get creative and solve those problems? Here's a plan that will work if you follow it:
1. Review the lessons and problem solving techniques.
2. Use them until doing so is a habit.
That's your simple two-step plan. In addition, there are things you can do to mentally prepare for each problem-solving session. Here's an outline for you:
1. Have a place that is conducive to good thinking. This can be a clean desk, a conference room, or even a coffee shop, if that works for you.
2. Gather mental materials you'll need. This includes a list of problem solving techniques, especially if they aren't a habit yet. This can also include a list of ways to get motivated, and other personal reminders that help you.
3. Think about why you want to solve this problem(s). Imagine how things will be better when you have succeeded. Building your anticipation and enthusiasm creates physical changes that speed up your thought processes.
4. If you have no inherent interest in the project, try talking about something that is interesting to you just before you start working on the problem. The enthusiasm won't directly transfer, but the increased energy and enhanced brain function it created will continue for a while.
5. It may help to clear your mind with a basic mindfulness exercise. Close your eyes, pay attention to your breathing, and relax for three minutes. Identify all the little "mind irritations" you notice while doing this. Make notes afterwards, put things on to-do lists - do whatever you have to do to set these distractions aside.
6. Have a cup of coffee or other beverage with caffeine if this helps you. In my experience, caffeine may be better for analytical thinking than for creative problem solving.
7. Ginkgo Biloba may help. In studies, it has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain. You can buy it in capsules, tea, or just eat a couple leaves if there is a Ginkgo nearby (common in parks).
8. Have water, and maybe light protein snacks available (nuts are good). This is just to keep from being distracted by thirst or hunger.
9. Avoid sugar. If you really don't understand the concept of brain fog, eat sugary cake on an empty stomach and try to do math problems twenty minutes later. You'll get the point. (This is called the "sugar blues.")
10. Stop ocassionally to stand up, stretch, and sigh. This relaxes your body and mind. Thre is some evidence that tension in the shoulders, neck and head can decrease blod flow to the brain.
You won't want to take the time to do all of these things before you sit down to solve a problem (or maybe you will). In any case, keep this list available so you have some remedies when your brain is feeling sluggish.
Good Luck (But You Won't Need It)
I hope you are enjoying this mini-course on problem solving. Use those techniques in the ebook, apply these lessons, and you'll be the one that people turn to for creative solutions. The next five lessons will be chapters from the new ebook, Problem Solving Power. For more on brainpower enhancement and related topics, you can also visit my site: http://IncreaseBrainPower.com
Steve
P.S. Another new site that I recently started is on new ideas. What kind of ideas? Inventions, political theories, odd concepts, strange businesses, new ways to make money, economic ideas, story ideas and philosophic
There is also an e-mail course called "How To Have
New Ideas." No charge for the course, but most of it overlaps
the content of this course. In any case, it's a fun and mentally
stimulating site. Here's the address:
http://www.999ideas.com
This is a subscription e-course. If you have not subscribed and want access to the other lessons, use the link to the homepage below to sign up for your free Creative Problem Solving Course.