Alternate methods for solving the same problem: The best way to gain expertise in anything is to make our foundations very strong. Trying to solve a very tough problem by forcing our brains to become more creative and ending up failing to solve it leads to frustration.
Begin by taking a simple problem with a solution and thinking of various other ways to arrive at the same solution. Ask yourself why the solution proposed by you is better/bad as compared to the standard solution. Think, think and think, whether you are successful or not, for shorter, better ways of solving that problem. Constant practice of such thinking makes your mind to ready to face any problem. You will be able to view various methods to solve a given problem and choose the best depending upon the requirements. Rather than sitting continuously for hours and practicing this exercise, spend a little time; say 10 or 15 minutes everyday, which makes it more effective. You will surely see positive results in a month or two.
Brainstorm: Brainstorming can be an effective way to generate ideas on a specific topic and then determine which idea is the best suited solution. Sit with a group of people who are debating on the same issue and keep proposing new ideas for solving the problem. Listen to others and consider why your idea is superior or inferior to others. Never be depressed if you always find your ideas inferior to others in the group. Sincere efforts to improve creativity will surely make you an expert thinker. Deep thoughts for new ideas and listening to others ideas can greatly enhance creativity. Criticize and appreciate: Whenever you see an idea, criticize it or appreciate it according to your opinion. Don't be bothered about what others think about the idea. See what you liked about it and appreciate it. Criticize the negative points in the idea. This will make your brain seasoned to good and bad ideas and next time you are trying to solve a problem, your brain will try to solve it in the way you classify ‘good' and try to avoid ‘bad' routes to the solution. Don't keep your mind always engaged: Give a lot of free time for your mind. Forget all worries and tensions for some time everyday and listen to music that you like or play with children. Avoid TV as it makes you more tired. When we are relaxing, the mind is actually working and putting together things that we were thinking of the whole day. It will come out with creative solutions only if we give it enough time and rest. Always pondering over endless problems keeps our minds occupied and prevents creativity. Let's rewrite an old proverb in this way: ‘All work and no creativity makes Jack a dull boy''. Keep your mind free and unoccupied very often. Go for vacations once a while.
Don't be stuck to a single idea: Getting stuck to one way of problem solving and trying repeatedly the same methods is a common phenomenon among us. Try for a fixed duration to solve the problem. If it doesn't get solved, stop thinking of the problem itself. Relax and get engaged in something else that you have to do. Attend to the problem after some time, or maybe the next day if you have lots of time to give a solution for the problem. You will observe that your mind views the problem at a different angle now and a solution may com out in a flash. ...
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Author: Akshay Surendran