They say Einstein once said that if he had an hour to save the planet, he would have spent 55 minutes on the formulation of the problem, and only 5 minutes to find a solution. This tells us one very important thing: before you start to fight the problem, take a step back and determine what is the the problem.
Therefore, mainly in solving any problem is its wording.
The Problem is to Understand What the Problem is
The formulation of the problem will be our main focus. Very often a man so eager to go to the decision that he did not even know what does, and that is looking for.
As a solution depends on the quality description of the problem we want to solve. Besides the problem solution itself, in this case, it will generally be found much faster and easier.
Einstein in his work using several strategies, which have been steadily adhered to. And all of these strategies can easily learn and use each one of us.
Einstein's Tools and Strategies
When the head of the "Toyota" has asked its employees to brainstorm on the theme "
Ways to improve productivity" he received in response to a lot of empty and blank stare. When he rephrased his request in the "Ways of how to make the job easier," he would publish a book of tips and suggestions.
The words carry a lot of hidden meanings, therefore plays an important role in how we perceive the problem.
In the example in the paragraph above "
be productive" workers could be regarded as an offering of sacrifices for the company, whereas in the second case, each knew his advantage, from which a benefit received and the company itself. In the end, perhaps the problem remains exactly the same, but the feeling that it is completely changing.
- Challenge the assumptions
Some of your suggestions may limit your choice of action. If you want to do, such as the restaurant business, challenge their assumptions.
Everyone knows that the restaurants should be the menu, imagine what would happen if you do not have and think about what will happen. If you decide to pay in a restaurant with the help of money, think about the business model, which will provide for the exchange. The table is designed for several people create a restaurant project in which all the tables are calculated per person. By the way, these restaurants already exist, their owners have challenged their assumptions and managed to stand out.
- Look at the problem in general
Each issue is part of the bigger problems. You can just be stunned if you only pay attention to the particular. Take a look at the problem as a whole. Ask yourself: "Part of what is the problem?". A good way is to use a spook. Hyperon - a word with a broader meaning than this. If your problem is the word "machine", replace it with a "vehicle" and see how the prospect of change. If you don't know
how to write a term paper proposal in third person - that's a problem with term paper writing, which you can easily solve.
- Look at the particular problems
Simply put, make a specific problem. Understanding the problem is very important, but very often it is necessary to consider particular because they make up the problem as a whole. For this fit hyponym. Hyponym - a concept that expresses the essence of privacy in relation to the more general concept. Consider the word "food" as "breakfast", "lunch" and "dinner" and "vehicle" as a "vehicle", "bus" and "train". Word can make more specific "car".
- Take a look at the problem from different points of view
Before proceeding to review and address the problem, examine it from different angles and perspectives. A look at the problem through the eyes of others is a sure way to find lost or new directions.
If you want to increase sales, think about it from the consumer's point of view. So he bought a larger quantity of the same product, which in his view features or benefits must have this product? Or it may cause the client to pay for your goods more than it pays now?
- Use effective language constructs
Language design can work wonders. Try different and see what happens:
- Come up with many solutions. If you need just one solution, create dozens or hundreds - is psychologically a sure way to liberate your creative thinking. Therefore, it is an effective way to formulate the problem is "What are the ways I could ...", it is as if your brain suggests that there are a lot of solutions.
- Make them positive. Affirmations are very effective in the brain. Instead, the statement "I will not smoke," thought "How to increase your energy and live longer?" Will launch a larger number of options and would focus not on the limitations, and opportunities.
- To frame your problem in the form of a question. When you formed the problem as a question, the brain automatically looks for the opportunity to respond to it. And what is most interesting, including subconsciously.
- Use the formula: action, object qualifier, the final result. For example, "What are the ways I could pack (action) the book (object) is more attractively (qualifier), so that people buy more of her (the end result)?".
- Take the problem of appealing
Nobody wants to have to deal with boring issues. When the issue is attractive, we tend to look for a solution, and enjoy the process. In this case, set to the brain and more creative approaches to the solution. For example, instead of the boring "
How to increase sales" Reframe the problem "How to delight your customers."
If you want to win, then that will lead to your defeat? If you want to understand how to increase sales, think about what may cause them to fall. This revolution allows problems refresh mental activity and thinking about such things that you've never thought of.
Investigate the causes and circumstances of your problem. Once established the reason, and even set the root cause, it certainly is. This is especially true when the problem is vague and you need to specify it. Simple search of facts can answer a lot. What do you know about the problem?
Can you draw a diagram of the problem? Where are the boundaries of problems? Be curious. Ask questions and gather facts. Ideal formulated the problem very often ceases to be a problem.
Use the method of "One hundred List" or
SCAMPER. These techniques will help you to formulate the problem and find a solution very quickly. Besides them, there are other techniques, are not limited.
Remember that the time you spend on the definition of the problem will return a hundredfold when you search for a solution. Einstein proposed a variant of 55 and 5 minutes, but you may approach your relationship.
