Would you like to increase your intelligence quotient or IQ? You can use brain power exercises and techniques designed to help you long-term, but what if you want a quick brain fix right now? Maybe you have an important meeting coming up, or a crucial test, or just a chess game you don't want to lose. If you want fast results, and not an argument about the definition of intelligence, try some of the following.
Breath To Increase Intelligence Quotient
Breath deeply through your nose. Breathing deeply relaxes you and puts more oxygen in your blood (and therefore in your brain). Since relaxation has been proven to improve brain function, and low oxygen levels in the blood have been shown to decrease it, you benefit doubly from deep breathing. Nose-breathing uses the diaphragm more, drawing air further into the lungs. This is an easy, effective way to improve the functioning of your brain immediately.
Meditation also helps, partly because of the deep breathing. A simple breath-watching meditation allows true relaxation, and is conducive to creative problem solving. Close your eyes and breath through your nose, deeply at first, then in whatever way is comfortable. Thoughts will arise, but just dismiss them and return your attention to your breath. Continue this for at least a few minutes.
Move To Increase Intelligence Quotient
Posture affects our state of mind, and helps us to think more clearly. Here's an experiment to prove this to yourself. First do math problems in your head while slouching, with your mouth open. Then try again while sitting up straight with your lips together. You'll notice that it's easier to think this way.
Exercise, but just enough to get the blood pumping. This can "wake up" your brain and help you think better. Walking works best for many, but any aerobic activity can help increase your IQ.
You probably knew that sleep can help brain function. However, the evidence shows that the quality of sleep is very important, not just the quantity.
Eat To Increase IQ
Ginkgo biloba leaves, whether in capsules or tea or off a neighbors tree, have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, helping memory and concentration. The effect is quick, and doesn't seem to diminish with regular use.
Use caffeine. Everything from test scores on college exams to chess games have been shown to improve after a cup of coffee or other drink containing caffeine. However, it is a temporary effect, and caffeine may have adverse long-term effects for regular users.
Avoid sugar. Any simple carbohydrates taken in large quantities can give you a sluggish feeling that makes it difficult to think. Insulin is dumped into your veins after the sugar is, giving you the "sugar blues." Avoid white flour, sugar, potatoes, and other carbohydrates when you need a clear mind.
Results - Not Definitions
Experts can argue about whether you can increase your IQ in any absolute sense, but we know there are times when you would score higher or lower on an IQ test, right? If you slept well, exercised, drank coffee and ginkgo tea, then sat up straight and breathed deeply as you took the test, don't you think you would score a few points higher? Even more importantly, wouldn't you be better prepared for whatever mental tasks you faced? Get smarter now, and forget the arguments about intelligence quotient.
Tampilkan postingan dengan label problem solving. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label problem solving. Tampilkan semua postingan
Selasa, 03 April 2012
Senin, 19 Maret 2012
Learning Strategies
A few basic learning strategies can help you in your carreer or business. They also can make you the person who always has something interesting to say. You CAN learn more efficiently. Just use a few of the following techniques until they become habit.
Create Anticipation and Curiosity
You learn more effectively with curiosity and anticipation working for you, but how do you create this state of mind? One way is to end each learning session with a question or two clearly in your mind. This creates the sense of anticipation and curiosity that will help you next time you study. It's like a TV show going to a commercial at an interesting moment in the program. You want to stay tuned, to see what happens next.
Prepare To Learn
When you want to learn new material, expose your mind to it as soon as possible, before you even feel "ready," or have time to study. The first stage of learning is the part where you look at new ideas and say, "huh?" Do this quickly, however, reviewing everything for a few minutes, and your unconscious mind will start "incubating" the new concepts, and finding some way to organize them.
Relate What You Know To The New Knowledge
When you sit down to study new material, relate it to what you already know. Compare and contrast things, saying to yourself, "That's like...," or "How is that different from..." Autoresponders were new to me when I started my newsletters, but the concept sunk in and motivated me when I thought, "It's like someone doing all my addressing and mailing for pennies a day." This prompted the important questions, and I was ready to learn.
Use Your Imagination
Changing your perspective is one of the great learning strategies. For example, study with the idea in mind that you will be teaching what you're learning. As you study something, imagine how you'll teach it. This is a powerful way to get a good grasp on new information.
Also imagine how you'll use what you are learning. There's so much information, and so little of it is the truly "important stuff." But by imagining how you'll use the new information, you tend to automatically focus on the things you really need to know.
Take Breaks
You can learn more by working less. The research shows that we remember best what we study first and last in a given session. So, by taking breaks, you create more "sessions," and increase the number of firsts and lasts. Move around during your breaks, as this can also keep your mind fresh.
Finding Time
What if it took no extra time to learn a new language, take a negotiating course, or study something new and interesting? Start using the dead-time in your day, the time sitting in your car, or on the bus, or in a waiting room. Almost any public library has hundreds of books on tape, and you can even instantly download books on the internet.
This is one of the most under-utilised and easiest learning strategies. If your job is 25 minutes away you spend 200 hours per year sitting in your car going to or from work. Could you learn something useful if you had four hours per week of audio instruction for a year? The only extra time it takes is a few minutes to stop by the library.
Of course, almost nothing works just by reading it. Why not scan the list above and start using one or two of these learning strategies right now?
Create Anticipation and Curiosity
You learn more effectively with curiosity and anticipation working for you, but how do you create this state of mind? One way is to end each learning session with a question or two clearly in your mind. This creates the sense of anticipation and curiosity that will help you next time you study. It's like a TV show going to a commercial at an interesting moment in the program. You want to stay tuned, to see what happens next.
Prepare To Learn
When you want to learn new material, expose your mind to it as soon as possible, before you even feel "ready," or have time to study. The first stage of learning is the part where you look at new ideas and say, "huh?" Do this quickly, however, reviewing everything for a few minutes, and your unconscious mind will start "incubating" the new concepts, and finding some way to organize them.
Relate What You Know To The New Knowledge
When you sit down to study new material, relate it to what you already know. Compare and contrast things, saying to yourself, "That's like...," or "How is that different from..." Autoresponders were new to me when I started my newsletters, but the concept sunk in and motivated me when I thought, "It's like someone doing all my addressing and mailing for pennies a day." This prompted the important questions, and I was ready to learn.
Use Your Imagination
Changing your perspective is one of the great learning strategies. For example, study with the idea in mind that you will be teaching what you're learning. As you study something, imagine how you'll teach it. This is a powerful way to get a good grasp on new information.
Also imagine how you'll use what you are learning. There's so much information, and so little of it is the truly "important stuff." But by imagining how you'll use the new information, you tend to automatically focus on the things you really need to know.
Take Breaks
You can learn more by working less. The research shows that we remember best what we study first and last in a given session. So, by taking breaks, you create more "sessions," and increase the number of firsts and lasts. Move around during your breaks, as this can also keep your mind fresh.
Finding Time
What if it took no extra time to learn a new language, take a negotiating course, or study something new and interesting? Start using the dead-time in your day, the time sitting in your car, or on the bus, or in a waiting room. Almost any public library has hundreds of books on tape, and you can even instantly download books on the internet.
This is one of the most under-utilised and easiest learning strategies. If your job is 25 minutes away you spend 200 hours per year sitting in your car going to or from work. Could you learn something useful if you had four hours per week of audio instruction for a year? The only extra time it takes is a few minutes to stop by the library.
Of course, almost nothing works just by reading it. Why not scan the list above and start using one or two of these learning strategies right now?
Senin, 02 Mei 2011
Problem Solving Strategies
What could you use a few good problem solving strategies for? New ideas for your business, perhaps. New ways to deal with your children. To come up with different approaches to building things, writing stories, or finding a job. Whatever the purpose, here are a couple powerful problem solving strategies.
Use Your Unconscious Mind
Use your unconscious mind to do your problem solving. Start by outlining a problem in your mind before going to sleep. Then tell your brain to go to work. Albert Einstein had good luck with this technique, sometimes getting his "ah-ha" insights while shaving the next morning.
Instruct your mind to keep working on the problem while you do other things. There is more than we know going on inside our heads. If you first work on a problem, then move on to other things while waiting for and expecting a solution, an answer may come to you when you least expect it.
You can also try working on problems when you are in a drowsy state. This is usually an "Alpha" state, and can result in more creative solutions. This is one of the best problem solving strategies for artistic work.
A Systematic Problem Solving Strategy
Train yourself to solve problems with one or more techniques. Just use a technique for several weeks, and it should become a habit. Here are a few to try:
1. Assumption-challenging. If you are assuming you need a better or higher-paying job, ask "do I really need a better job?" You could get a raise, or somehow make the job you have better. Starting a business on the side might be an option too. Never let your assumptions limit the possible solutions.
2. Solve the parts. To buy a house is a big move that is really a bunch of small steps, which is true of many problems. Address the components of a problem individually, and it may not seem so overwhelming. It is easier to motivate yourself in this way.
3. Ask other people. Whether or not they have good ideas, this helps you be sure you're not overlooking anything obvious.
4. Write the problem down. Find another way to express the problem and write that down. Keep writing down solutions and ideas that come to mind. Later you can pick the diamonds out of the dirt.
5. Change perspective. What if you were rich, poor, a child, a visitor from another planet? How would you see the problem from this new perspective? Einstein imagined riding on a beam of light, which lead to his theory of relativity, so this technique has been known to work.
There are dozens of good techniques you can use to solve problems. There are also other general methods, like clearing a space to work in, or alternating between intense analysis and intuitive daydreaming. However many ways there are, though, it is using them that counts. If used well, you only need a few good problem solving strategies.
Use Your Unconscious Mind
Use your unconscious mind to do your problem solving. Start by outlining a problem in your mind before going to sleep. Then tell your brain to go to work. Albert Einstein had good luck with this technique, sometimes getting his "ah-ha" insights while shaving the next morning.
Instruct your mind to keep working on the problem while you do other things. There is more than we know going on inside our heads. If you first work on a problem, then move on to other things while waiting for and expecting a solution, an answer may come to you when you least expect it.
You can also try working on problems when you are in a drowsy state. This is usually an "Alpha" state, and can result in more creative solutions. This is one of the best problem solving strategies for artistic work.
A Systematic Problem Solving Strategy
Train yourself to solve problems with one or more techniques. Just use a technique for several weeks, and it should become a habit. Here are a few to try:
1. Assumption-challenging. If you are assuming you need a better or higher-paying job, ask "do I really need a better job?" You could get a raise, or somehow make the job you have better. Starting a business on the side might be an option too. Never let your assumptions limit the possible solutions.
2. Solve the parts. To buy a house is a big move that is really a bunch of small steps, which is true of many problems. Address the components of a problem individually, and it may not seem so overwhelming. It is easier to motivate yourself in this way.
3. Ask other people. Whether or not they have good ideas, this helps you be sure you're not overlooking anything obvious.
4. Write the problem down. Find another way to express the problem and write that down. Keep writing down solutions and ideas that come to mind. Later you can pick the diamonds out of the dirt.
5. Change perspective. What if you were rich, poor, a child, a visitor from another planet? How would you see the problem from this new perspective? Einstein imagined riding on a beam of light, which lead to his theory of relativity, so this technique has been known to work.
There are dozens of good techniques you can use to solve problems. There are also other general methods, like clearing a space to work in, or alternating between intense analysis and intuitive daydreaming. However many ways there are, though, it is using them that counts. If used well, you only need a few good problem solving strategies.
Selasa, 29 Maret 2011
How To Improve Brain Function
How to improve brain function? Start with a few questions.
Is problem solving easy for you? Do you learn new things quickly? Can you improve your brain function? Your answers to these questions will have an effect on your brain function, because brainpower and psychology are intimately connected.
Brain Function and Expectation
1. A friend spent his childhood with wealthy kids and their families. He now makes more money than most of us. Coincidence? Did rich friends give him money? Did they help him in business? No to all three questions. He just grew up with an expectation of a certain level of income. His mind will always push him to take actions towards that level.
2. The book said there was a checkmate in four moves, so I looked until I found it. I used to think those elegant solutions to chess puzzles were very rare in real games. I eventually realized they are there, but that without the expectation of finding them, I settled for less worthy moves. Now I find the elegant moves more often.
Do you see how expectation and belief expands or limits your mind and your life? Now, to apply this to better brain function, you need to adjust your expectation and unconscious beliefs about your brainpower.
What you think certainly affects what you accomplish. When you believe you can improve your brain function, you are far more likely to do what's necessary to get that result. So how do you adopt the most useful beliefs and expectations?
Okay, don't worry. I won't tell you to stand in front of a mirror making positive affirmations. I have an easier way.
Affirmation or Evidence?
Try this experiment: Watch for polite drivers for two days, making a mental note to yourself each time you see one. Notice the polite ones, ignoring the rest. By the way, this will change your experience of driving in a positive way. Then watch for rude drivers for two days, and you'll see them all over.
Do the exercise above, and you'll understand that you experience the world not just according to what is there, What you pay attention to is the more important part of your experience. Ready to apply this to your thinking process?
Notice your success. When you learn something new, make a mental note, or write it down even. Point out your problem-solving successes, and you'll have more of them. When you're thinking clearly and effectively, tell yourself, "Look at that brain go!"
Go ahead and make those affirming statements, but why not make them when you are looking at the evidence? Evidence is more convincing than affirmation. Watch, and you'll find examples of progress, however large or small. Focus on these, and remember them. You can start doing this right now. That's how to improve brain function.
Is problem solving easy for you? Do you learn new things quickly? Can you improve your brain function? Your answers to these questions will have an effect on your brain function, because brainpower and psychology are intimately connected.
Brain Function and Expectation
1. A friend spent his childhood with wealthy kids and their families. He now makes more money than most of us. Coincidence? Did rich friends give him money? Did they help him in business? No to all three questions. He just grew up with an expectation of a certain level of income. His mind will always push him to take actions towards that level.
2. The book said there was a checkmate in four moves, so I looked until I found it. I used to think those elegant solutions to chess puzzles were very rare in real games. I eventually realized they are there, but that without the expectation of finding them, I settled for less worthy moves. Now I find the elegant moves more often.
Do you see how expectation and belief expands or limits your mind and your life? Now, to apply this to better brain function, you need to adjust your expectation and unconscious beliefs about your brainpower.
What you think certainly affects what you accomplish. When you believe you can improve your brain function, you are far more likely to do what's necessary to get that result. So how do you adopt the most useful beliefs and expectations?
Okay, don't worry. I won't tell you to stand in front of a mirror making positive affirmations. I have an easier way.
Affirmation or Evidence?
Try this experiment: Watch for polite drivers for two days, making a mental note to yourself each time you see one. Notice the polite ones, ignoring the rest. By the way, this will change your experience of driving in a positive way. Then watch for rude drivers for two days, and you'll see them all over.
Do the exercise above, and you'll understand that you experience the world not just according to what is there, What you pay attention to is the more important part of your experience. Ready to apply this to your thinking process?
Notice your success. When you learn something new, make a mental note, or write it down even. Point out your problem-solving successes, and you'll have more of them. When you're thinking clearly and effectively, tell yourself, "Look at that brain go!"
Go ahead and make those affirming statements, but why not make them when you are looking at the evidence? Evidence is more convincing than affirmation. Watch, and you'll find examples of progress, however large or small. Focus on these, and remember them. You can start doing this right now. That's how to improve brain function.
Minggu, 27 Februari 2011
Imaginary Friends - A Problem Solving Technique
Why imaginary friends? Because they may be smarter than you real friends. Well, at least they may give you better, more creative solutions to your problems.
If you are like most people, your thinking is often best when you're interacting with a friend. You feed off of each other's ideas and help each other to clarify things. But what about times when you're alone, or you have no one you wish to share your ideas with? How do you stimulate creative thought and find elegant solutions to your problems? Try talking to Albert Einstein.
Of course, you'll probably want to talk to Andrew Carnegie or Lee Iacocca if your problem has to do with making a factory more productive. Spiritual problems might be better discussed with the Dalai Lama. The point is to have a conversation in your head with an expert, or a historical personality, or any imaginary friend who can help with your particular problem. Why would you want to do this?
Imaginary Friends Give You Answers
You have a powerful imagination, whether you know it or not. However, what you may not have, is a powerful way to use it. This is what you get with imaginary friends and advisors. A conversation in your head is a way to access the creative power of your mind. You'll be surprised how often your imaginary Einstein comes up with an interesting idea, or asks you a question that produces something useful.
It is best to use someone who you respect and/or know something about. That way you can more easily imagine what they might say. It could be a fictional character, and in fact, this may be even better. Start by explaining the situation to this person, and then listen to what they have to say.
You may remember those "WWJD" pins and stickers. The WWJD stands for "What Would Jesus Do?" Kids wore the pins (still do, I believe) as a source of guidance. Whether or not you are a Christian, you can understand how in a time of confusion, a simple question like this can immediately clarify the situation and allow for a right decision.
Consider this for a moment. The information necessary to make a right decision is there in a young man's head already, and yet there is confusion. Then, just imagining what Jesus would do or say is all it takes to "see" the answer.
With a simple conversation in your mind, you can ask for help with personal, business, moral and any other problems. It's a powerful technique for problem solving, and for drawing on the power of your unconscious mind. Why not start talking (in your head please) with your imaginary friends?
If you are like most people, your thinking is often best when you're interacting with a friend. You feed off of each other's ideas and help each other to clarify things. But what about times when you're alone, or you have no one you wish to share your ideas with? How do you stimulate creative thought and find elegant solutions to your problems? Try talking to Albert Einstein.
Of course, you'll probably want to talk to Andrew Carnegie or Lee Iacocca if your problem has to do with making a factory more productive. Spiritual problems might be better discussed with the Dalai Lama. The point is to have a conversation in your head with an expert, or a historical personality, or any imaginary friend who can help with your particular problem. Why would you want to do this?
Imaginary Friends Give You Answers
You have a powerful imagination, whether you know it or not. However, what you may not have, is a powerful way to use it. This is what you get with imaginary friends and advisors. A conversation in your head is a way to access the creative power of your mind. You'll be surprised how often your imaginary Einstein comes up with an interesting idea, or asks you a question that produces something useful.
It is best to use someone who you respect and/or know something about. That way you can more easily imagine what they might say. It could be a fictional character, and in fact, this may be even better. Start by explaining the situation to this person, and then listen to what they have to say.
You may remember those "WWJD" pins and stickers. The WWJD stands for "What Would Jesus Do?" Kids wore the pins (still do, I believe) as a source of guidance. Whether or not you are a Christian, you can understand how in a time of confusion, a simple question like this can immediately clarify the situation and allow for a right decision.
Consider this for a moment. The information necessary to make a right decision is there in a young man's head already, and yet there is confusion. Then, just imagining what Jesus would do or say is all it takes to "see" the answer.
With a simple conversation in your mind, you can ask for help with personal, business, moral and any other problems. It's a powerful technique for problem solving, and for drawing on the power of your unconscious mind. Why not start talking (in your head please) with your imaginary friends?
Jumat, 24 Desember 2010
IQ Level - Who Cares?
What is your IQ level? What is "intelligence quotient anyhow? The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as "The ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a quotient multiplied by 100." More or less, it's a test of intelligence, with 100 as the average score. IQ tests have some problems however.
One IQ test asks which of four fruits is different. It's the one with more than one seed, but what if you weren't familiar with these fruits? The test is culturally biased, because it assumes certain knowledge, yet is supposed to test for intelligence, not knowledge.
Look at these letters: "ANLDEGN." Rearrange them to spell the name of a(n): Ocean, Country, State, City or Animal. Tests are timed, so I start with oceans, since there are few oceans, and thus I can eliminate these quickly. The problem is that this is a test taking technique I use, and an intelligence test shouldn't be testing test-taking ability. I'll score higher than a person of equal intelligence who hasn't learned simple techniques for scoring higher on multiple-choice tests, right?
Real Life Results vs IQ Levels
An imperfect test is better than no test, and it is entertaining. I recently took an IQ test, and although I don't think my IQ is really the 138 it showed, it was fun. Of course you'll score higher on a good day than a bad day. Try these tips to make it a good IQ test day:
1. Breath deep through your nose.
2. Sit up straight and close your mouth.
3. Drink a cup of coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverage.
4. Exercise enough to get your blood pumping faster.
5. Eat or drink Ginkgo Biloba to increase blood flow to your brain.
By the way, what was Henry Fords IQ? Who cares! He was one of the most innovative people of the last century, and he did what he did by surrounding himself with intelligent people. This practice alone must be worth more than 20 IQ points. Do you see the point?
You want real life results, right? If you want to be more creative, learn creative problem solving techniques. To concentrate better, learn techniques for that. Learn speed-reading and you'll have double the knowledge in the same time. Once you paint your first Mona Lisa, build your first skyscraper or make your first million, who will care about your IQ level?
One IQ test asks which of four fruits is different. It's the one with more than one seed, but what if you weren't familiar with these fruits? The test is culturally biased, because it assumes certain knowledge, yet is supposed to test for intelligence, not knowledge.
Look at these letters: "ANLDEGN." Rearrange them to spell the name of a(n): Ocean, Country, State, City or Animal. Tests are timed, so I start with oceans, since there are few oceans, and thus I can eliminate these quickly. The problem is that this is a test taking technique I use, and an intelligence test shouldn't be testing test-taking ability. I'll score higher than a person of equal intelligence who hasn't learned simple techniques for scoring higher on multiple-choice tests, right?
Real Life Results vs IQ Levels
An imperfect test is better than no test, and it is entertaining. I recently took an IQ test, and although I don't think my IQ is really the 138 it showed, it was fun. Of course you'll score higher on a good day than a bad day. Try these tips to make it a good IQ test day:
1. Breath deep through your nose.
2. Sit up straight and close your mouth.
3. Drink a cup of coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverage.
4. Exercise enough to get your blood pumping faster.
5. Eat or drink Ginkgo Biloba to increase blood flow to your brain.
By the way, what was Henry Fords IQ? Who cares! He was one of the most innovative people of the last century, and he did what he did by surrounding himself with intelligent people. This practice alone must be worth more than 20 IQ points. Do you see the point?
You want real life results, right? If you want to be more creative, learn creative problem solving techniques. To concentrate better, learn techniques for that. Learn speed-reading and you'll have double the knowledge in the same time. Once you paint your first Mona Lisa, build your first skyscraper or make your first million, who will care about your IQ level?
Senin, 05 Juli 2010
Concept Combination For Creative Problem Solving
There are many creative problem solving techniques used by inventors to come up with new solutions to old problems. For sheer innovation, though, it's hard to beat the technique of concept-combination. Just start combining ideas and things, and voila, you're having fun - and maybe creating something new.
Innovation or Inovation?
Combining the concept of search engine misspellings with article writing gave me "inovation." What good is that? Well, now that I've used the misspelled word twice, the thousand people every month that type "inovation" into search engines can find this article.
"Search engine" combined with "people," could lead to the first search engine devoted entirely to information on individuals. "People" plus "advertising" might lead to the first large-scale paid-tatoo-placement campaign. Want a monthly stipend for having a Coke logo on your forehead?
Much of the innovation you see in the business world is nothing more than combining existing ideas. For a ton of new business ideas, just combine the concept of "home delivery" with almost anything. Parties, tax preparers, rental swimming pools? Would people pay to have these things delivered?
Using Creative Problem Solving Techniques
In the process of innovation, you need to be careful not to stifle creativity. This means allowing ideas to come without judging them at first. It also means using techniques only as tools, not as a rules. If your mind goes off on a creative tangent - let it.
Randomly combining things is a great mental exercise when you're driving or daydreaming. A boat and a bicycle becomes a waterski-bike that glides across the lake using pedal-power. Combining stock-trading and McDonalds has you imagining the selling of stocks and bonds at drive through windows.
For more specific problems, you just look for things to combine with what you already have. If your taxi business is struggling, combining "taxi" and "pets" might lead to a successful arrangement with a kennel, to pick up and deliver their client's cats and dogs. "Famous people," might give you the idea to run some sort of tour of the town, like they do in Hollywood.
For maximum creativity in your innovation, look far and wide for concepts to combine. "Meditation" and "amusement parks" seem too unrelated to yield interesting combinations, but I'll bet people at a carnival would pay to be put into a meditative trance using the latest brainwave entrainment technologies.
Innovation or Inovation?
Combining the concept of search engine misspellings with article writing gave me "inovation." What good is that? Well, now that I've used the misspelled word twice, the thousand people every month that type "inovation" into search engines can find this article.
"Search engine" combined with "people," could lead to the first search engine devoted entirely to information on individuals. "People" plus "advertising" might lead to the first large-scale paid-tatoo-placement campaign. Want a monthly stipend for having a Coke logo on your forehead?
Much of the innovation you see in the business world is nothing more than combining existing ideas. For a ton of new business ideas, just combine the concept of "home delivery" with almost anything. Parties, tax preparers, rental swimming pools? Would people pay to have these things delivered?
Using Creative Problem Solving Techniques
In the process of innovation, you need to be careful not to stifle creativity. This means allowing ideas to come without judging them at first. It also means using techniques only as tools, not as a rules. If your mind goes off on a creative tangent - let it.
Randomly combining things is a great mental exercise when you're driving or daydreaming. A boat and a bicycle becomes a waterski-bike that glides across the lake using pedal-power. Combining stock-trading and McDonalds has you imagining the selling of stocks and bonds at drive through windows.
For more specific problems, you just look for things to combine with what you already have. If your taxi business is struggling, combining "taxi" and "pets" might lead to a successful arrangement with a kennel, to pick up and deliver their client's cats and dogs. "Famous people," might give you the idea to run some sort of tour of the town, like they do in Hollywood.
For maximum creativity in your innovation, look far and wide for concepts to combine. "Meditation" and "amusement parks" seem too unrelated to yield interesting combinations, but I'll bet people at a carnival would pay to be put into a meditative trance using the latest brainwave entrainment technologies.
Senin, 21 Juni 2010
Clear Thinking 101
Want clear thinking? Resolve your "mind irritations," by watching what's going on in your head. It takes practice, but you can start right now. Sometimes a phone call you need to make quietly bothers you all day, just below consciousness. Maybe you're worried about an upcoming meeting. How do you find and resolve these things?
Take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and tune in to your mind. As you become aware of these stressors, do something to let them go. Make that phone call, or put it on your "to do" list, and your mind will let go of the concern for now. Sometimes bringing a problem to full consciousness and telling yourself, "There is nothing I can do about this until Friday," will stop the unconscious worrying.
Start tuning into your mind, and you'll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your brain power. Take care of those things, and clearer thinking is automatic. This is a powerful technique if you use it regularly.
More Tips For Clear Thinking
1. Have clear space. It's rare that a person can work better in clutter. An organised home or office space means you won't have the thought "where is that..." distracting your mind.
2. Get enough good sleep. Sleep requirements vary greatly, but the bare minimum for almost everyone is somewhere around five hours. Many of us suffer if we sleep less than seven hours. Research, however, seems to indicate that after some minimum quantity, the quality of sleep is more important for normal brain function.
3. Try meditating. Close your eyes, relax, and watch your breath. Your mind will wander endlessly, but just continually return your attention to your breath. Do this for even five minutes, and you'll feel better and think more clearly.
4. Walk. I think the research will eventually show this to be one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your thinking. But don't wait for the proof. There are enough other reasons to take a walk anyhow.
5. Avoid sugar. Eat a large piece of sugary cake on an empty stomach, then try to do math problems twenty minutes later. You'll understand "brain fog," or the "sugar blues."
6. Breath deeply through your nose. Three deep breaths through your nose is like a mini-meditation. Nose breathing uses your diaphram more, drawing more air in, and therefore pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream and brain.
7. Don't drink alcohol. A beer or two may help your creativity, but in general, alcohol is a hindrance to clear thinking.
Take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and tune in to your mind. As you become aware of these stressors, do something to let them go. Make that phone call, or put it on your "to do" list, and your mind will let go of the concern for now. Sometimes bringing a problem to full consciousness and telling yourself, "There is nothing I can do about this until Friday," will stop the unconscious worrying.
Start tuning into your mind, and you'll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your brain power. Take care of those things, and clearer thinking is automatic. This is a powerful technique if you use it regularly.
More Tips For Clear Thinking
1. Have clear space. It's rare that a person can work better in clutter. An organised home or office space means you won't have the thought "where is that..." distracting your mind.
2. Get enough good sleep. Sleep requirements vary greatly, but the bare minimum for almost everyone is somewhere around five hours. Many of us suffer if we sleep less than seven hours. Research, however, seems to indicate that after some minimum quantity, the quality of sleep is more important for normal brain function.
3. Try meditating. Close your eyes, relax, and watch your breath. Your mind will wander endlessly, but just continually return your attention to your breath. Do this for even five minutes, and you'll feel better and think more clearly.
4. Walk. I think the research will eventually show this to be one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your thinking. But don't wait for the proof. There are enough other reasons to take a walk anyhow.
5. Avoid sugar. Eat a large piece of sugary cake on an empty stomach, then try to do math problems twenty minutes later. You'll understand "brain fog," or the "sugar blues."
6. Breath deeply through your nose. Three deep breaths through your nose is like a mini-meditation. Nose breathing uses your diaphram more, drawing more air in, and therefore pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream and brain.
7. Don't drink alcohol. A beer or two may help your creativity, but in general, alcohol is a hindrance to clear thinking.
Jumat, 05 Maret 2010
Add, Subtract, Change : A Problem Solving Technique
How do you like to solve your problems? Do you prefer to use the more creative problem solving techniques, or the systematic ones? You'll get the best of both with the add-subtract-change method.
Add, Subtract, Change
I am sitting here looking at my bicycle as I write this. To come up with new ideas in bicycle design, all we have to do is look at the elements that are there and ask three things. What can we add, what can we subtract, and what can we change?
Would pet owners like a built-in dog or cat carrier? Are 18 gears necessary? There are still six gears and one less thing to break if a shifter is removed. What if the wheels were larger or the frame made of a flexible material? What would the advantages be?
Personal Problems Too
The add-subtract-change technique is well suited to developing new products, but what if your having trouble sticking to an exercise plan? Will this kind of problem solving method work for personal issues? You won't know until you try it. Hmm...
Add: A better machine, motivation techniques, caffeine. Subtract: Distractions, unrealistic goals, uncomfortable clothing. Change: Location, time of day, type of exercise.
The key is to look at as many aspects of the current situation as you can identify, and to let your mind answer the three questions for each one. Taking notes is a good idea too, but write down everything. Don't stifle your mind - the time to pick out the useable ideas is later.
There are dozens of good creative problem solving techniques you can use. Some will work better for you, some worse, but one way to solve problems effectively is to use more than one technique. Why not add this one to your arsenal?
Add, Subtract, Change
I am sitting here looking at my bicycle as I write this. To come up with new ideas in bicycle design, all we have to do is look at the elements that are there and ask three things. What can we add, what can we subtract, and what can we change?
Would pet owners like a built-in dog or cat carrier? Are 18 gears necessary? There are still six gears and one less thing to break if a shifter is removed. What if the wheels were larger or the frame made of a flexible material? What would the advantages be?
Personal Problems Too
The add-subtract-change technique is well suited to developing new products, but what if your having trouble sticking to an exercise plan? Will this kind of problem solving method work for personal issues? You won't know until you try it. Hmm...
Add: A better machine, motivation techniques, caffeine. Subtract: Distractions, unrealistic goals, uncomfortable clothing. Change: Location, time of day, type of exercise.
The key is to look at as many aspects of the current situation as you can identify, and to let your mind answer the three questions for each one. Taking notes is a good idea too, but write down everything. Don't stifle your mind - the time to pick out the useable ideas is later.
There are dozens of good creative problem solving techniques you can use. Some will work better for you, some worse, but one way to solve problems effectively is to use more than one technique. Why not add this one to your arsenal?
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