Complicated problems need creative solutions
ByI’m still traveling this week, but like everyone else, I was horrified to learn of the tragic devastation that occurred in Japan. I lived in California for many years, where earthquakes were a fact of life. But I never experienced anything like the quake that hit Japan last week. And of course, the tsunami took a bad situation and made it even worse.
I won’t attempt to give advice to the people of Japan right now. What they most need from us is prayer and relief efforts. But one thing I do know is that they will need to be creative in overcoming the difficulties they are now faced with. And we can all benefit from becoming learning more about that topic. So let’s talk a little about creativity.
To face the greatest challenges of life, we need to cultivate creative thinking. In times of crisis, you need to tap into every good idea you have. Of course, the best time to increase your creativity is before the crisis occurs. This can be done by establishing the discipline of creative thinking. Here are a few ways we can do that:
1. Spend time with creative people.
Make a habit, both inside and outside of work, of spending time with creatives. Let their way of thinking challenge and influence yours.
2. Look for the obvious.
When problem-solving, many of us make the mistake of looking only for the “big” solution. Creativity means exploring all ideas, even the obvious and seemingly insignificant ones. Often the simplest solution is the best solution.
3. Be unreasonable.
Logic and creativity can work together quite well, but sometimes rational thinking gets in the way of being creative. Be willing to look at unreasonable ideas. Often they expand your thinking and lead to breakthroughs that you might otherwise miss.
4. Practice mental agility.
Creativity requires flexibility. Rigid, bureaucratic thinking is in direct opposition innovation and creativity. So make a habit of considering every idea, no matter how difficult it might seem to implement or how much change it may require.
5. Dare to be different.
Being creative means standing outside of the norm. You must cultivate a willingness to challenge every rule and assumption.
6. See problems as opportunities.
Sometimes the only difference between a problem and an opportunity is the word you use to describe it. Whenever you face a problem, take a step back and ask how it could be described as an opportunity—to innovate, build, and improve.
The discipline of creative thinking will change you—and for the better. As jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size.”
My prayer is that people who have spent years cultivating creativity are already at work in Japan – and the Middle East, and around the world – to serve people and bring solutions to hurting nations. May we keep them in our prayers.
Creativity is always essential for growth and develpment, but now like perhaps never before is it also a necessity for survival in a down economy. People who are out of work are looking for solutions, and the most creative among us lead the field in developing new business ideas and models. If necessity is the mother of invention, then adversity is the mother of creativity. Thanks John, for a wonderful post and reminder.
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Thank you so much father… I really need solutions to make me stronger in this life, I love this post so much
may God bless all of us ^_^
Praying for Japan, Middle East, EQUIP, if ever was there a time to form partnerships it would be this. Like Former Prime Minister of England Tony Blair said “Hands, Heart, and mind.”
You get people working side by side with different backgrounds different beliefs because of a common ground like feeding the hungry. [Hands}
Then as they work side by side handing out food they get to know each others likes and dislikes because they are spending time together. {Heart}
The things they learned from each other increases their knowledge. [Mind]
Dear John, If I can comment, I would take the opportunity to start from your last phrase . . .” . . . that people who have spend years cultivating creativity . . “. Do you think that these people can influence the “decision makers” and “change” the existing “SYSTEM” ? I am not a pesimist but after many years of observing the “system” evolution I have come to the conclusion that “serving” and “bringing solutions to hurting people” is not the way the “decision” makers see it. I am afraid that they WANT to create more problems in order to serve themselves instead of the people. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not against the system. But this system is not just, honest or human. This system and most (not to say all) of its leades have lost and distorted the fundamentals of some visionaries some 200 years ago. To day they are mostly greedee and selfish and they manipulate instead of serving. This is why (to return to your last phrase), people like you and some other enlightened leaders who have the strength to influence MUST come up front and CREATE CHANGE. More human and just.
I love this: “Be unreasonable.” I am notorious for being way too reasonable. I often find myself saying, “let’s be realistic about this” but unfortunately that gets in the way of vision and of course, creativity as well. Great points.
John,
As I sit in a lonely hotel room, missing my family, in the middle of a month long road trip, I found myself yearning to be back with them. It’s who I am. I’m a Daddy and a Husband.
As I keep rubbing ny eyes from the lack of sleep in preparation for my new business, I consider it a badge of honor to be so weary. It means I’m preparing my team to be the best they can be. It’s who I am. I’m a leader.
As I read your post about the devasting affects that the natural disasters have had in Japan, my heart breaks. I’m given the perspective that there are hurting people all over the world that have a small window of time called life, that need to hear the Gospel. I can’t wrap my mind around how people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ can cope with the loss of a family member, friend or co-worker. So I pray to a sovereign God as an intercessor for people I’ve never met, because it’s the least I can do & at the same time, it’s the most I can do. It’s who I am. I’m a Christian.
This is so very true!
Having said that, I always say to clients in sticky situations:
I am often nailed by others for being out of the box
Trauma ends with a result, one way or another
Crisis will end
Problems do end
So why not see the sticky situation as an opportunity for a Godly solution!
Let’s pray for a Godly Solution for Japan; Salvation – that they would come to know & worship the true & living God through this trauma and that Japan would be rebuilt in a way that reflects God’s glory. Pray that those who are able to go and serve would show the love, compassion and understanding of God to them.
John, I’ve read the above points,once they are pu togather our wolrd can be a better place to live in. It’s great to learn the circumstances in which other people are;but what is greater is having the mindset of thinking how those friends can be asisted to make thier way out of those difficult situations. The very best and reliable help is the one which can only be brought by our good Lord Jesus. May He grant them an open eye so they should see beyond their crisis and understand the call Jesus has unto all men worldwide.
It is amazing to know that there are articles like this on web, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you so much for reminding me of our infinite creativity even in the middle of this disaster in Japan. I just started to let all of my friends here in Japan know that our creative unconscious can come up with some ideas and action plans far beyond our realities…
Thank You Mr. John, your words bring encouragement to me and others. Indeed, may those with the creative mind will find ways to help others in their success. Currently I’m reading your book, ‘Thinking for a Change’.
6. See problems as opportunities.
most people just sit back and complain about problems at hand… they fail to look at it from an angle … maybe we could do this and achieve big success opportunities.
Do your best Japan! Ganbatte
steven
Many difficult problems are alleviated by the “rule of law” that supports diversity, and defends boundaries.
Many problems arise because the rules weren’t known, or valued. Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone upheld our Constitution and understood why it is important to balance power, defend rights of conscience and maintain boundaries around personal property? Then, power (governing authorities/leadership), liberty (value priority) and justice (the rule of law) would prevent “complications”.
“Madison understood that the protection of property is the foundation of all freedoms. He said, “… a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights. Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possissions”.
He also said, “Government is instituted to protect property of every sort. . . This being the end of government, that alone is a just government, which impartially secures to every man, whatever is his own.”