How to think and solve problems creatively

Write down the issues. Writing problems in clear, specific language helps clarify and simplify them. This makes the issue easier to handle and encourages you to tackle it immediately. Additionally, simplifying your language reduces mental overload caused by complex problems.

• A common example is procrastination (waiting until the last minute) to complete an important task. Write down exactly what you need to solve.
• Define the issue in the simplest way possible. If your problem is procrastination, write specifically about procrastination instead of writing, 'I always wait until the last minute to finish projects, and it really stresses me out.'

Ensure the problem needs to be solved. Have you ever heard the saying, "Don’t fix what isn’t broken"? This idiom applies to identifying problems as well. Sometimes, we quickly judge and assume a problem exists when it actually doesn’t.

• For example, you may procrastinate on everything, but this might not be a problem at all? Perhaps it doesn’t cause stress and helps you focus better until the task is completed (many people work better under pressure)? Others might dislike your procrastination, but if it doesn’t harm anyone or affect your ability to finish the task, then it’s not a significant issue. In other words, you think you’re procrastinating, but maybe you're not.

Make a list of pros and cons when solving the problem. Identifying the advantages and disadvantages when solving a problem helps you assess whether it’s worth addressing or if it should be prioritized. A cost-benefit analysis reveals both the positive aspects of solving the problem and the negative effects if it remains unresolved.

• Write down what could happen if the issue isn’t solved. In the case of procrastination, the consequences might include continued criticism from others for your delays, struggling to prioritize tasks, or increased stress that negatively affects the quality of work due to insufficient time.
• Write down and recognize the benefits of solving the issue. For instance, the benefits of overcoming procrastination: reduced last-minute stress, improved quality of work due to investing more time, more time to complete tasks, and less anxiety for your boss and colleagues about your delays. If you realize that solving the issue will bring more benefits, it should be prioritized and acted upon.

Identify all elements contributing to the problem. Take a comprehensive approach. Identify all the elements that make up the problem, including stakeholders, content, and context.

• Write down everything you know and the elements involved in the problem. Regarding procrastination, the related elements might include distractions like TV and the internet, avoiding time-consuming tasks, scheduling issues (lack of time), or an inability to handle frustration. This problem might also relate to organizational skills and task management.
• Try creating a problem tree and place the main issue at the center, with related elements branching out from it. This helps you visualize the problem and see how other factors contribute to the core issue.

Focus on one problem at a time. When identifying the issue, make sure it’s specific. Often, each problem has several components, so it’s important to focus on one specific issue before trying to address the larger problem.

• For instance, procrastination might be a smaller part of a bigger issue affecting the quality of your work, and your boss wants fewer mistakes from you. Instead of trying to tackle the quality of your work (which seems complex), focus on the specific component and solve it piece by piece.
• To analyze the issue, you can use a graphical representation, like drawing a “problem/solution tree” to compare large and small issues. Place the main problem at the center (organizational issues affecting work quality) and write the contributing factors on the branches. Factors forming the larger problem might include insufficient sleep, excessive focus, time management, or procrastination. Note that procrastination is only one component of the larger issue affecting work quality and/or organizational issues.

Write down your personal goals. To address a problem, you need to understand what you want as the final outcome. Ask yourself, "What do I want to accomplish by solving this problem?"

• Set specific, realistic goals with a clear timeline. In other words, you need to complete your goal or solve the problem within a specific time frame. Some goals might take a week, while others could take six months.
• For example, if your goal is to solve procrastination, it could be a long-term goal since some habits are deeply ingrained and hard to break. However, you can set a smaller, more realistic goal with a time limit, such as: “I want to complete at least one project a day ahead of schedule within two weeks.” This is a specific goal (completing one project ahead of time), realistic (one project instead of all projects), and has a time frame (within two weeks).

Learn how to solve similar problems. You may have dealt with similar issues in the past. Identify the times in the past when you faced a similar problem. What did you do? Was it effective? What could be done differently?

• Write down all your thoughts on paper or on your computer.

Understand how others solve problems. If you’ve never faced a similar problem before, you should look into how others approach it. How do they find solutions? Are their solutions direct and simple, or do they involve multiple aspects and factors?

• Observe and ask questions. Watch how others tackle the problem. Ask questions about their methods for solving it.

Identify possible options. After researching possible solutions or approaches to the problem, you should begin to organize and evaluate these ideas.

• Create a list of possible solutions. Write down the solutions you can think of. In the case of procrastination, your list could include: setting a strict work schedule, prioritizing tasks, writing daily reminders for important tasks, estimating the actual time needed to complete a project, asking for help when needed, starting tasks one day earlier than planned. These are time management and organizational skills you can explore. There are many ways to solve a problem. You can also explore other behaviors to reduce procrastination, such as getting enough sleep, exercising to manage stress, and following a healthy diet (to improve and maintain overall health).

Think about the problem abstractly. Think about the problem or ask questions in a different way to get your brain thinking in a new direction. This gives your mind a fresh starting point to track memories or create connections in the brain. Try thinking more broadly or in a different direction. For example, with procrastination, you might consider that you are someone who works better under pressure. With this mindset, you can solve the problem by creating self-imposed pressure rather than delaying tasks.

• Consider the philosophical, religious, and cultural elements of the issue.

Approach the situation from a different angle. Think about potential solutions as if you were a child exploring the world for the first time.

• Try brainstorming or jotting down new ideas. Write down every solution that comes to mind. Analyze the list and consider options you typically overlook or dismiss as ineffective.
• Consider alternative perspectives. Be open to unconventional suggestions from others or at least view them as possibilities. For example, with procrastination, you might ask someone else to do your task. While it may sound silly, even the most outlandish ideas could work. With this approach, avoid asking for help with difficult tasks, as that is unrealistic. However, you can still ask for assistance when needed.
• Don’t set a time limit. The answer could be contrary to conventional wisdom.
• Embrace risk. Be ready to accept risks and learn from mistakes.

Imagine the problem is solved. This method is known as the “miracle question” – an intervention used in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Imagining the impact of a solution can help individuals come up with several ideas.

• Imagine that a miracle happens overnight, and when you wake up, the problem is gone. How would you feel? What would it be like?
• Go back to the solutions and imagine what actions would need to be taken to resolve the problem.

Create a cost-benefit analysis to decide on a solution. Once you’ve identified viable solutions, you can list the pros and cons for each idea. Record your ideas and weigh their pros and cons as part of the solution process. If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, it’s considered a valuable resource.

• Look for cost-benefit charts online and fill them in.

Evaluate each solution. Based on the pros and cons, rate each solution on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least effective and 10 being the most effective. The most effective solution will have the greatest impact on reducing the problem. For example, the most effective solution to procrastination is to stick to a strict work schedule, while sleeping more at night may not be as effective. The best solution directly addresses the main issue.

• After completing your evaluation, write the solutions in order from 1 to 10 on paper or on your computer. This way, you can revisit the list after implementing your chosen solution. If the first solution doesn’t work, you can refer to the list and try the second solution, and so on. You can also implement multiple solutions simultaneously (instead of relying on just one solution).

Ask for help. Social support and guidance are essential when solving problems. However, research suggests that people often underestimate the willingness of those around them to help. It's important not to let the fear of being denied assistance stop you from asking for help when it's truly needed. If you’re unsure about a solution or unfamiliar with the situation, seek help from those who have dealt with similar issues before.

• Talk to someone who has faced a similar issue or has solved it in the past.
• If the issue is work-related, you could discuss it with a trusted colleague who has experience with this problem.
• For personal problems, talk to a family member or a partner who understands you well.
• You could consult a professional counselor for guidance in resolving the issue.

Gain experience. Training your brain through new experiences helps enhance your thinking and problem-solving abilities in creative ways. Learning and accumulating experiences lead to creativity.

• Learn something new. Watch a new movie, read, or observe an art piece from a genre or style you normally don’t explore. Dive deeper into them.
• Try learning to play a new musical instrument. Studies show that playing an instrument helps children achieve better academic results. Additionally, playing music helps train the brain areas responsible for focusing, coordination, and creativity.

Play games. Some studies suggest that playing games like Super Mario can increase brain flexibility, which means improving memory, performance, and overall cognitive function. Games that use planning, reasoning, logic, and reflexes are particularly beneficial for brain training.

• Here are some examples of brain-training games: logic puzzles, crosswords, quizzes, word searches, and Sudoku.
• Try Lumosity, a brain-training app available on mobile.
• Or visit websites like Gamesforyourbrain.com and Fitbrains.com for more brain exercises.

Read and expand your vocabulary. Reading is linked to various cognitive functions. A rich vocabulary is also associated with higher social status and greater success.

• Visit dictionary.com and check out the "Word of the Day". Make an effort to use that word several times throughout the day.
• Simply reading books can significantly improve your vocabulary.

Use your non-dominant hand. Performing tasks with your non-dominant hand helps create new neural connections, which can diversify your reasoning abilities and enhance creativity and open-mindedness.

• Start by trying simple tasks such as brushing your hair or using your phone before progressing to more complex activities.

Expand your perspective. Creativity is defined as the combination of imagination, knowledge, and evaluation. Enhancing creativity helps you improve your overall problem-solving ability.

• To connect with creativity, try activities like drawing, coloring, dancing, cooking, playing music, journaling, writing stories, designing, or creating anything that comes to mind!

Try free association. Freewriting, also known as brainstorming, is a technique used to generate ideas or solutions for a problem.

• Write down the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word 'creativity'. Do the same with the term 'problem-solving'.
• Write down your problem and any related words that come to mind, including emotions, behaviors, and ideas. For example, with procrastination, words could be: anger, frustration, busy, tasks, distraction, avoidance, boss, disappointment, anxiety, stress, and overload.
• Now, brainstorm solutions for solving the problem (things and feelings related to the solution). For procrastination, you might brainstorm: reducing distractions, a quiet space, strict scheduling, calmness, happiness, relaxation, confidence, understanding, no stress, freedom, peace, tidiness, relationships, timeliness, and organization.

Sketch out a solution. Visual illustration is crucial in developing creative problem-solving skills, especially for children. Using art is a creative way to think about the problem and its solution from a different angle.

• Try an art therapy exercise. Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the center. On the left side, draw your problem. For example, if your problem is procrastination, you might draw yourself sitting at a desk with a pile of papers and projects while distracted by texting. After drawing the problem, illustrate the solution on the right side of the paper. For example, you could draw yourself at a tidy desk, with no phone, and a peaceful workspace.

Clear your mind. If you're feeling stressed about a decision or an issue, this can hinder your productivity and ability to think clearly in order to reach a conclusion or solution. In this case, it's best to take a break. Often, clearing your mind can be achieved by relaxing or engaging in activities unrelated to the problem.

• Try distracting yourself with light activities like reading, then return to the problem after you've cleared your mind.

Delay decision-making. Studies show that the brain continues to process and solve problems while you sleep. In fact, you may even solve problems in your dreams.

• Pay attention to any dreams where you're tackling an issue and note any solutions your subconscious provides.