| Buy Poster | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Introduction

When life suddenly throws us a curve ball, things can get rather overwhelming and ridiculously frustrating in the blink of an eye. Not having the ability to effectively deal with these challenges puts us at a disadvantage and sabotages our growth as a productive human being. It is important to understand that our daily life problems present themselves to us in order to test our resolve, maturity and ability to think in an unforgiving world. It’s so easy for us to frown upon unfortunate circumstances – seeing them as unlucky events that have no purpose or meaning.

The reality is, that the exact opposite is true. Every problem you experience within your life has a purpose and message for you. It’s there to help you grow as a person, it’s there to help you become more effective and efficient in your daily undertakings, and it’s there to see you through to the next pebble stone along your journey towards success. Yes indeed, having the ability to think more effectively about the problems that confront our daily life, will help us to proactively control the circumstances that can ravage our emotions and send us down a spiral of ever increasing frustration. It has been said, that when it comes to life, it’s not what happens to us that matters, it is rather what we do with what happens that makes the biggest difference in the end.

Edward de Bono’s 6 Thinking Hat system will help you to take control of your life once and for all. Through practice and a systematic implementation of this process, you will never feel the need to give up on finding an ideal solution to your daily life problems at school, at work, and in life or business. This IQ Matrix will break down each of the 6 thinking hats step-by-step. You will first be introduced to the Blue Managerial Hat whose primary role is to manage and direct the thinking process. Next you will meet the White Neutral Hat whose role is to collect facts, data, stats and concrete information that lay the groundwork and foundations for your thinking. Afterwards you will shake hands with the Red Intuitive Hat whose role is to feel its way through to finding the right kind of solution to your problem.

The forth Hat you will meet is the Black Pessimistic Hat. The black Hat is frowned and looked down upon because of it’s negative nature. However, it is one of the most important hats as it will help you to better understand the pitfalls of your thinking. Afterwards you will be introduced to the Black Hat’s opposite – the Yellow Optimistic Hat. This Hat’s role is to logically present positive plans of action that will help you to overcome the problems confronting your reality. And finally, you will meet the Green Creative Hat whose role is to bend the rules, to think outside the box and expand the possibilities of understanding in unique ways. The Green Hat will help you to come up with brilliant creative solutions that will propel you forward through your problems and into the realm of empowering solutions.

This interpretation of the 6 Thinking Hat system is specifically targeted towards the personal problem solver (not group oriented) who struggles with the daily life challenges that are thrown their way. However, bear in mind that each Thinking Hat can also be utilized in another context pertaining to academics, life and business. The key is to take these guidelines and proactively transform them in ways that will best suit your circumstances and predicament.

This article post is part of an Effective Thinking Series of IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are designed to help you successfully deal with the problems and challenges confronting your daily life reality. Topics within this series include:

• Part 1: Strategic Life Questioning Tactics
• Part 2: Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential
• Part 3: Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within
• Part 4: Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker
• Part 5: 6 Thinking Hats: Solving Life’s Complex Problems

The Managerial Blue Hat Thinker

An effective Problem Solver has to have a means of managing and directing their thought process in a proactive manner. On top of this they must have a way of processing and guiding each of their thoughts in a neutral and unbiased manner focused on effectiveness and efficiency over everything else. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss each of the characteristics and attributes that magnetize together and give birth to the Blue Thinking Hat. We will delve into the roles, goals and objectives of a Blue Hat thinker, concluding with a set of questions that will help you to think more managerially about your daily life problems and circumstances.  For more information about effectively managing your problems, have a read of Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within IQ Matrix.

Role

The metaphorical role of the Blue Hat is The Movie Director. A movie director manages actors, cameramen, shooting angles, props, scripts and other factors that are critical to creating a successful blockbuster movie experience. In exactly the same fashion a Blue Hat manages the thinking process allowing for better synergy between the thought patterns and habits of the other Thinking Hats. Let’s take a look at some of the Blue Hat’s key roles in a little more detail:

Think about Thinking

The primary role of the Blue Hat is to Think about the process of Thinking. Every thought that it makes is focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the interconnected thinking, filtering through the other 5 Hats. The smoother, faster and more proficient this process becomes, the greater the possibility that an effective solution to the problem will be reached.

Define the Problem

The Blue Hat must clearly define the problem under question in writing. If you fail to define the problem clearly and meticulously, than you will waste precious time directing your energies on irrelevant thoughts and activities that only lead to dead-ends and promises of better answers.

Gather Global Perspective About Problem & Solution

The Blue Hat is very much removed from the problem and its associated solutions. It rather sits back and plays the role of a court judge, who overlooks the facts, arguments and opinions of every hat from a global perspective. It then utilizes these insights to decide on a suitable plan of action that will help nullify this problem and set the course for a brighter destination.

Manage Other Hats

The Blue Hat plays the part of an effective manager looking after the subordinates under its care. Within this role, the Blue Hat helps to improve the flow of communication between all the hats – thusly encouraging better insights and ideas that will bring about ideal solutions to the problem at hand.

Manage Time

The Blue Hat understands the importance of time and how critical it is to the effective management of problem solving. As a result the Blue Hat plays the role of the Time Keeper, by allocating specific chunks of time to the other Hats and to specific topics, that are necessary to bring about effective solutions to the problem at hand. The Blue Hat is consciously aware at all times that time is precious and should be spent wisely on areas that will bring about the highest “thinking” returns to help overcome a problem effectively. For more information about Time Management, please read Time Management: 44 Keys to Gaining More Time IQ Matrix.

Manage Flow of Ideas

The Blue Hat’s role is to manage the flow of ideas between the Thinking Hats with the greatest of efficiency. It must successfully piece together all of these scattered thoughts and grow them into something that will bring about an ideal solution to the problem at hand. Each Thinking Hat has a set of unique ideas, approaches and perspectives. The Blue Hat must merge these unique thoughts into something that the brain can piece together and work with, otherwise the thought process will stumble and stagnate in the face of adversity.

Manage Implementation of Ideas

Unique and creative ideas are wonderful, however unless we find a means of integrating them into our physical reality, than we will simply fail to grasp the opportunities that are being presented to us. Hence, the Blue Hat’s final role is to manage the implementation of ideas by bringing them forth into the world in the most effective and efficient manner. We will discuss the process of planning and implementation in a future IQ Matrix.

Objectives

Throughout the problem solving thinking process, the Blue Hat has a set of predefined objectives that it seeks to accomplish. By successfully attaining these goals, it is better able to synchronize it’s habitual thought patterns with the other thinking hats, thusly leading to a more efficient and effective process of thinking that brings to light a greater array of solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at each of these objectives in a little more detail:

Improve Efficiency & Effectiveness of Thinking

The Blue Hat’s primary objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the thinking process. The better it is able to manage the thinking of the other Hats, the more proficient it will become in identifying key ideas and insights that could be critical towards solving the problem.

Formulate Suitable Questions to Direct Thinking

The Blue Hat understands that asking the right kinds of questions of each Thinking Hat will lead to ideal answers and insightful solutions, thusly helping you overcome your problems more effectively. As a result the Blue Hat must be clever in its approach to questioning. It must thoroughly understand how to profoundly stimulate the thinking process of each Thinking Hat in a way that will expand the possibilities of reality, while minimizing the personal biases and limitations that each Hat brings into the problem solving process. To learn more about the habits of asking effective questions, have a read of Strategic Life Questioning Tactics IQ Matrix.

To Determine Agenda, Rules, Goals & Tasks

One of the Blue Hat’s primary goals is to set an agenda for the thinking, to settle on the rules of the discussion, and to effectively set tasks and objectives that will persistently drive the thinking process forward towards an ideal solution to the problem at hand.

To Organize Ideas & Plans of Action

Finally the Blue Hat must collate all the ideas and thoughts brought forward by the other Thinking Hats, and formulate them together into an effective plan of action that will put an end to the problem that is confronting your reality. The more thoroughly it is able to piece together these dispersed thoughts and ideas, the more ammunition it will have to bring these plans to fruition.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here is a list of questions that will help you think more effectively about your daily life problems and circumstances from a Blue Hat’s perspective. Keep in mind that this list of questions is only a starting point that will help guide you in the right direction. Additional questions that you formulate by yourself should take into account each of the roles and objectives that are critical to the mindset of a Blue Hat thinker. For more information about defining a problem, have a read of Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within IQ Matrix.

What problem am I facing?

How can I best define this problem?

What is my goal and outcome?

What do I seek to achieve by solving this problem?

What is the most effective method of proceeding from this position?

How can I best organize and arrange my thinking to help move me beyond my present circumstances?

The Neutral White Hat Thinker

An effective Problem Solver has to have a means of collecting, collating, organizing and presenting information in a neutral and unbiased manner. On top of this they must have a method of reaching effective logical solutions based on the hard facts and data they have collected. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss each of the characteristics and attributes that magnetize together and give birth to the White Thinking Hat. We will delve into the roles, goals and objectives of a White Hat thinker, concluding with a set of questions that will help you to think more neutrally about your daily life problems and circumstances.

Role

The metaphorical role of the White Hat is The Detective. A detective searches for clues, for evidence and for facts that will help them to effectively solve the case they are working on. They thoroughly understand that a piece of evidence may not be what it seems on the surface. Hence they are neutral and don’t jump to conclusions before all the facts and pieces of evidence have been put into their proper perspective. In exactly the same fashion a White Hat collects facts, stats and data that help it to piece together the information it needs to reach logical “fact” based solutions to the problems confronting your reality. Let’s take a look at some of the White Hat’s key roles in a little more detail:

Symbolic Roles

The primary role of the White Hat is to objectively collate and present facts, stats, data and information in a way that will enable the other Thinking Hats to expand their thinking and awareness about the problem under question.

Roles Must Avoid

Throughout the thinking process the White Hat must at all costs avoid making conclusions or judgments about the information it is collecting and presenting.

Objectives

Throughout the problem solving thinking process, the White Hat has a set of predefined objectives that it seeks to accomplish. By successfully attaining these goals, it is better able to synchronize it’s habitual thought patterns with the other thinking hats, thusly leading to a more efficient and effective process of thinking that brings to light a greater array of solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at each of these objectives in a little more detail:

Exposition of Stats & Facts

The White Hat’s primary objective is to collect and collate relevant facts, stats, pieces of information and data about the problem that will help open new avenues to potential solutions. These facts are based within the realm of questions focused on the What? Where? When? and How?

Seeking Facts over Opinions & Beliefs

The White Hat seeks facts over everything else. In the realm of White Hat thinking there are no beliefs or opinions, there are just solid concrete facts and evidence that unveil the problem in all its glory.

Bringing to Light Gaps in Knowledge

Through its exposition of key facts, the White Hat regularly unlocks important pieces of information and gaps in our knowledge about the problem and the possible solutions that may lie ahead as we journey towards overcoming the obstacles in our lives.

Bringing Forth Possible Logical Solutions

Based on the facts, stats, information and data that the White Hat has collected, its objective is now to bring forth a set of logical neutral solutions that will help stimulate the thinking processes of the other Hats. This concrete information will now become the basis for the reflective thinking that is about to take place.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here is a list of questions that will help you think more effectively about your daily life problems and circumstances from a White Hat’s perspective. Keep in mind that this list of questions is only a starting point that will help guide you in the right direction. Additional questions that you formulate by yourself should take into account each of the roles and objectives that are critical to the mindset of a White Hat thinker.

What do I know about this problem? – these are facts, stats, data and other information that you already have on hand.

What don’t I know about this problem? – these are facts, stats, data and other information that you don’t have on hand.

What can I learn from this problem?

What more would I like to learn about this problem?

How will I go about acquiring the facts, stats and data that will help me solve this problem?

What potential solutions exist based on the facts, stats and data that I have collected?

The Intuitive Red Hat Thinker

An effective Problem Solver has to have a means of intuitively making sense of the problems confronting their everyday reality – included within this is an awareness of the possible solutions that could lead them down the path of unbridled opportunity. Moreover they must have a way of effectively filtering out any preconceived biases that may sway their intuitive feelings and opinions. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss each of the characteristics and attributes that magnetize together and give birth to the Red Thinking Hat. We will delve into the roles, goals and objectives of a Red Hat thinker, concluding with a set of questions that will help you to think more intuitively about your daily life problems and circumstances.

Role

The metaphorical role of the Red Hat is The Heart. A heart is a very intuitive organ that senses subtle changes in feeling and emotion when circumstances present themselves. In exactly the same fashion a Red Hat brings forward its intuitive feelings and emotions in extraordinary ways, helping to guide and provide direction to possible solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at some of the Red Hat’s key roles in a little more detail:

Symbolic Roles

The primary role of the Red Hat is to emotionally and intuitively present effective solutions and direction for further action, based on its personal feelings and hunches.

Roles Must Avoid

Throughout the thinking process the Red Hat must at all costs avoid rationalizing or trying to justify its feelings about the solutions it is bringing to mind.

Objectives

Throughout the problem solving thinking process, the Red Hat has a set of predefined objectives that it seeks to accomplish both directly and indirectly (the indirect objectives must be identified by the other Thinking Hats through the Red Hat’s subtle unconscious tendencies). By successfully attaining these goals, it is better able to synchronize it’s habitual thought patterns with the other Thinking Hats, thusly leading to a more efficient and effective process of thinking that brings to light a greater array of solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at each of these objectives in a little more detail:

Seeks Intuitive Proposals

The Red Hat’s primary objective is to intuitively bring to mind proposals and plans of action from its personal feelings and hunches. Our feelings are very interesting and somewhat mysterious chemical processes that stimulate mental activity within the brain. When they are pure and removed from personal emotions and biases, they can lead us in unexpected directions towards solutions we logically never considered were possible. We will discuss the process of intuition in a future IQ Matrix.

Seeks Other People’s Feelings

The Red Hat is very open minded and seeks to identify and clarify other people’s feelings – relating intuitively to the problem at hand. They fully realize and understand that when someone is completely removed from the problem, that they are likely to bring to mind ideas and suggestions that would normally cloud their everyday judgment and awareness.

Seeks Emotional Point of View

On the other hand it is important to realize that the Red Hat often seeks an emotional understanding of the problem, and therefore brings to mind solutions based on their personal unconscious emotional tendencies. This is very important for the other Thinking Hats to consider, as it unveils certain personal biases, hidden emotions, and reactions that may effectively sabotage the problem solving process.

Unveils Hidden Strengths of Ideas

Sometimes ideas and potential solutions to your problems may seem weak and somewhat impractical at first. However, if the Red Hat intuitively brings to mind a plan of action that it feels must be followed, this naturally draws the other Hat’s thinking, attention and energy in a new direction that could effectively hold hidden strengths and opportunities not evident on the surface. By giving this new idea its deserving attention, you are now expanding possibilities that you may never have considered before.

Unveils Hidden Weaknesses

The Red Hat’s intuitive feelings may very well also unveil hidden weaknesses in ideas, in others, and in yourself. For instance, if the Red Hat intuitively supports an unpopular solution, than this effectively raises a red flag, and forces the other Hats to think differently about the potential ideas laid out on the table. Maybe some solutions aren’t as clearcut as they seem? Or maybe better contingency plans need to be set in place? Another important point to consider here is that the Red Hat’s intuitive feelings may in fact bring to mind personal weaknesses in terms of skills and knowledge that you may need to develop within yourself in order to deal with this problem more effectively. For instance, if the Red Hat’s feelings are pointing away from a popular solution, than this could very well indicate that you don’t have enough resources, or you simply lack some sort of understanding to fully make this solution work for you.

Unveils Hidden Internal Conflicts

The Red Hat is as human as all the other Thinking Hats. Its natural tendencies and decisions may therefore indirectly reveal subtle internal conflicts that boil up within its psyche. These conflicts can affect the Red Hat’s hunches and could thusly lead to biased feedback that may sabotage the problem solving process. It is of primary importance that the Blue Hat spots these tendencies and sets on a course of effective questioning tactics that will help the other Hats bring these conflicts out into the surface.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here is a list of questions that will help you think more effectively about your daily life problems and circumstances from a Red Hat’s perspective. Keep in mind that this list of questions is only a starting point that will help guide you in the right direction. Additional questions that you formulate by yourself should take into account each of the roles and objectives that are critical to the mindset of a Red Hat thinker.

What is my gut telling me about this solution?

What are my feelings telling me about the choice I am about to make?

Based on my feelings, is there a better way to go about this?

Intuitively, is this the right solution to this problem?

The Pessimistic Black Hat Thinker

An effective Problem Solver has to have a means of proactively identifying the pitfalls, dangers and flaws of potential solutions. Moreover they must have a way of presenting this information in an unemotional and detached manner that isn’t riddled with preconceived ideas or biased opinions. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss each of the characteristics and attributes that magnetize together and give birth to the Black Thinking Hat. We will delve into the roles, goals and objectives of a Black Hat thinker, concluding with a set of questions that will help you to think more pessimistically about your daily life problems and circumstances. For more about critical thinking, have a read of Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker IQ Matrix.

Role

The metaphorical role of the Black Hat is The Reaper. A Reaper is a mythical creature who brings death and destruction to the living. Yet at the same time the Reaper is an unemotional entity displaying no fear or love to the contrary. The Reaper isn’t necessarily good or evil, it “just is” what it is. It’s nature is dark and gloomy, however as with everything in life, it has a purpose and plays a critical role in the cycle of life. In exactly the same fashion a Black Hat is pessimistic and gloomy in nature, always seeking to pinpoint holes, flaws, weaknesses and dangers in ideas. It doesn’t do this to be spiteful or destructive, but rather to bring forth scenarios that will better help the other Hats build suitable contingency plans for the possible problems that may lie ahead on the foggy road towards a solution. Let’s take a look at some of the Black Hat’s key roles in a little more detail:

Symbolic Roles

The primary role of the Black Hat is to evaluate, judge, caution and criticize the solutions and plans of action that have been brought to light by the other Thinking Hats.

Roles Must Avoid

Throughout the thinking process the Black Hat must at all costs avoid bringing to mind personal biases and emotions – built upon fear, jealousy, anger and other negative emotions – that may impede and magnify its critical analysis of the solutions to the problem at hand.

Objectives

Throughout the problem solving thinking process, the Black Hat has a set of predefined objectives that it seeks to accomplish. By successfully attaining these goals, it is better able to synchronize it’s habitual thought patterns with the other thinking Hats, thusly leading to a more efficient and effective process of thinking that brings to light a greater array of solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at each of these objectives in a little more detail:

Consideration of Possible Flaws & Dangers

The Black Hat’s primary direct purpose is to unveil all the possible flaws and dangers that could sabotage the goals and outcomes you are desiring to achieve. Every solution you come up with may seem all wonderful, soft, comforting and cozy on the surface. However, that is only its external appearance. The reality of the matter is, that within its exterior it could hold dark dangers and secrets that – if left to unchecked – may sabotage the solution you are aiming for. And this is where the Black Hat excels and saves the day, by helping you see the fatal flaws of your potential actions before you jump headfirst into the pool filled with deadly sharks lurking under the water.

Consideration of Inadequate Resources

Another important objective of the Black Hat is to bring to mind a plethora of resources that you simply do not YET have on hand. These resources could be skills, knowledge, support, energy or simply time. If the solution you are aiming for requires key resources that you are sorely lacking, than the Black Hat will alert you to your temporary inadequacies and limitations.

Elimination of Weaknesses & Bad Ideas

The Black Hat’s primary indirect objective is to eliminate all weaknesses and ill-thought through ideas. It does this indirectly through it’s pessimistic and critical nature. Once these weaknesses have been brought to light, than the spotlight redirects itself onto the Yellow Hat, whose primary objective is to overcome these weaknesses with logical steps and suggestions.

Bringing to Light Inadequate Contingency Plans

The Black Hat’s final objective is to bring to mind inadequate contingency plans that seem full proof from all other Thinking Hat perspectives. The Black Hat constantly and persistently asks itself “How is this likely to fail?” The answers to this question sets the course for inspired Yellow and Green Hat thinking.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here is a list of questions that will help you think more effectively about your daily life problems and circumstances from a Black Hat’s perspective. Keep in mind that this list of questions is only a starting point that will help guide you in the right direction. Additional questions that you formulate by yourself should take into account each of the roles and objectives that are critical to the mindset of a Black Hat thinker. For more information about objective critical thinking, have a read of Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker IQ Matrix.

What is the fatal flaw within this idea?

What is the drawback to this way of thinking?

How many ways is this likely to fail?

What are the potential risks and consequences associated with this?

Do I have the necessary resources, skills and support to pull this off?

The Optimistic Yellow Hat Thinker

An effective Problem Solver has to have a means of realistically analyzing problems and bringing to light optimistic ideas that will build momentum towards effective solutions and answers. Moreover they must help strengthen the spirit and resolve of the body and mind to persist despite the myriad of obstacles standing in its way. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss each of the characteristics and attributes that magnetize together and give birth to the Yellow Thinking Hat. We will delve into the roles, goals and objectives of a Yellow Hat thinker, concluding with a set of questions that will help you to think more optimistically about your daily life problems and circumstances. For more about optimistic questioning habits, have a read of Strategic Life Questioning Tactics IQ Matrix.

Role

The metaphorical role of the Yellow Hat is The Sun. A sun is bright, happy and powerful, helping to instill life into everything it touches. In exactly the same fashion a Yellow Hat brings forth a positive, welcoming and radiant energy that breathes life into every idea. The Yellow Hat seeks positive benefits through a logical means that enhances motivation and opens the doors to new opportunities and understandings. Let’s take a look at some of the Yellow Hat’s key roles in a little more detail:

Symbolic Roles

The primary role of the Yellow Hat is to realistically and optimistically move through the myriad of obstacles that stand in the way of reaching an effective solution. The Yellow Hat sees no boundaries or limitations and wholeheartedly believes that if there is a means, than they will find a way – making the impossible, possible.

Roles Must Avoid

Throughout the thinking process the Yellow Hat must at all costs avoid pessimistic thoughts, and bringing to mind hopeful solutions based on hypothetical facts, feelings and opinions.

Objectives

Throughout the problem solving thinking process, the Yellow Hat has a set of predefined objectives that it seeks to accomplish. By successfully attaining these goals, it is better able to synchronize it’s habitual thought patterns with the other thinking Hats, thusly leading to a more efficient and effective process of thinking that brings to light a greater array of solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at each of these objectives in a little more detail:

Seeks Curious Benefits

The Yellow Hat is a curious creature who seeks benefits over everything else. It sees a problem and brings to mind effective contingency plans and solutions that will help you overcome the challenges facing your reality in the most proficient manner.

Seeks Probable Solutions that Lead to Opportunity

The Yellow Hat’s primary objective is to search for solutions that will lead to a greater array of opportunities to help you overcome your problems more effectively. It wholeheartedly understands that within every problem there is an equivalent seed of opportunity that is waiting to be discovered. And it is from this perspective that it moves forward with optimism and renewed energy.

Seeks Positive Risk Assessment

The Yellow Hat logically understands that there are risks associated with every action that is aimed at a solution to your problem. It therefore realistically analyzes the risks associated with these actions and draws up an effective plan that will counteract, minimize and eliminate these risks altogether.

Seeks Feasibility of Ideas

Another primary objective of a Yellow Hat is to assess the feasibility of ideas based on the resources (skills, knowledge, time and support) you have available to you at any one moment in time. It takes these resources into consideration and formulates ideas and a plan of action that will make most use of what you have, while minimizing the effect of what you are lacking within your arsenal.

Strengthen Spirit, Motivation & Resolve

The final objective of the Yellow Hat is to instill a sense of positive expectation that will move you through the obstacles and challenges you face with greater resolve, spirit, motivation and persistence, which are all critical components to your long-term success in any field of endeavor.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here is a list of questions that will help you think more effectively about your daily life problems and circumstances from a Yellow Hat’s perspective. Keep in mind that this list of questions is only a starting point that will help guide you in the right direction. Additional questions that you formulate by yourself should take into account each of the roles and objectives that are critical to the mindset of a Yellow Hat thinker. For more information about effective questioning strategies, have a read of Strategic Life Questioning Tactics IQ Matrix.

How can I best approach this problem?

How can I logically and realistically make this work?

What positive outcomes could result from this action?

What are the long-term benefits of this action?

The Creative Green Hat Thinker

An effective Problem Solver has to have a means of processing the problems confronting their reality in an open, flexible and unconstrained manner. Moreover, they must encourage possibility thinking that bends the rules and expands reality in a way that is free from judgment and self-criticism. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss each of the characteristics and attributes that magnetize together and give birth to the Green Thinking Hat. We will delve into the roles, goals and objectives of a Green Hat thinker, concluding with a set of questions that will help you to think more creatively about your daily life problems and circumstances. For more about creativity, have a read of Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential IQ Matrix.

Role

The metaphorical role of the Green Hat is The Seedling. A seedling sprouts from the ground and grows meticulously and persistently expanding its leaves and branches in all kinds of unexpected directions. In exactly the same fashion a Green Hat instills an ever growing and expanding sense of unpredictability into the thought process. The Green Hat isn’t controlled by rules or limitations. It knows and understands that it is free to think beyond the norms and boundaries of reality. As a result it brings forth a myriad of creative and mind-bending ideas that expand the possibilities and bring to light unique and seemingly unexpected solutions. Let’s take a look at some of the Green Hat’s key roles in a little more detail:

Symbolic Roles

The primary role of the Green Hat is to open the doors to unique, creative ideas and perspectives that will shatter the boundaries of reality and open new avenues of understanding about the problem at hand.

Roles Must Avoid

Throughout the thinking process the Green Hat must at all costs avoid criticizing or judging the ideas that it brings to mind.

Objectives

Throughout the problem solving thinking process, the Green Hat has a set of predefined objectives that it seeks to accomplish. By successfully attaining these goals, it is better able to synchronize it’s habitual thought patterns with the other thinking Hats, thusly leading to a more efficient and effective process of thinking that brings to light a greater array of solutions and opportunities. Let’s take a look at each of these objectives in a little more detail:

Expand Thinking & Awareness

The primary role of the Green Hat is to expand the possibilities of reality in surprising and unexpected ways beyond “box-like” thinking methods. It seeks new strategies, tactics and ways of thinking about the problems in your life, and twists them in multi-dimensional directions that lead to new insights, answers and understandings about the problem – and the accompanying solutions – that may not have been evident before.

Bend the Rules of Reality

The Green Hat isn’t constricted or constrained by the standard rules of thinking about a problem. It understands that rules are made to be broken, and so it goes out there and breaks every rule of thought that has ever existed. Always thinking, expanding, analyzing, daydreaming and manifesting crazy and wacky ideas that may not initially make any logical sense at all. It’s not the Green Hat’s responsibility to live in the logical realm – that is something that the other Thinking Hats do very well. It’s responsibility is rather within the realm of fantasy and free-flowing lateral thinking that breaks boundaries and looks beyond the veils of what is perceived within physical reality. And it is this method of thinking that brings to light the most improbable ideas that could very well turn your problems upside down.

Provide Creative Ideas & Solutions

The Green Hat utilizes a number of incredibly effective Creative Problem Solving techniques and strategies that help to expand its awareness and thinking about the problems confronting your reality. These techniques bring forth unique ideas and solutions that challenge the other Thinking Hats in surprising and unpredictable ways – effectively forcing through new insights that may never have been considered before.

Instill New Perspectives

Finally, the Green Hat’s process of thinking presents the other Hats with new perspectives and ways of looking at the problem – and its possible solutions – from a multitude of unique angles and roles. This successfully breaks down the boundaries of awareness and understanding about the challenges confronting your reality.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here is a list of questions that will help you think more effectively about your daily life problems and circumstances from a Green Hat’s perspective. Keep in mind that this list of questions is only a starting point that will help guide you in the right direction. Additional questions that you formulate by yourself should take into account each of the roles and objectives that are critical to the mindset of a Green Hat thinker. For more information about creative thinking methods, have a read of Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential IQ Matrix.

What alternative possibilities could exist here?

Could this be done in another way?

How can I look at this problem from a unique angle and perspective?

How can I think outside the box about this?

What if…?

Now that you have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the 6 Thinking Hat problem solving thought process, it is important to briefly point out how these hats integrate and work together to formulate solutions and new ideas.

The Managerial Blue Hat (Director) progressively allocates thinking time to each of the 6 Hats including itself. Usually the order of thinking would transition in the following manner:

• Blue Hat – Defines and outlines the problem under question and guides the other hats through the thinking process.

• White Hat – Collects all the facts, data and statistics relevant to the problem. It will then utilize this information to reach a set of possible logical neutral solutions.

• Red Hat – Intuitively reflects on the solutions and selects the best course of action based on its feelings and hunches.

• Black Hat – Pessimistically confronts the solutions pinpointing holes, dangers, flaws and inadequacies in the proposed plans.

• Yellow Hat – Looks beyond the Black Hat’s pessimism and brings to light logical optimistic ideas and plans of action that would counteract these dangers.

• Green Hat – Takes solutions and ideas brought forward by the Yellow Hat and enhances them in a creative, unique and original manner to ensure they succeed as planned.

• Blue Hat – After all Hats have had their say, the Blue Hat continues to circulate between the Hats as it sees fit. It may for instance focus its attention on the Red Hat for further intuitive insights based on the Green Hat’s creative ideas. Or it may ask the White Hat to gather more facts and information about the dangers that the Black Hat brought to mind. After which it may ask the Yellow Hat to bring forth some logical positive solutions based on this new found knowledge and information. No matter how the Blue Hat decides to synchronize the thinking process between the Hats, it is important to remember that the Blue Hat is always seeking to obtain a global perspective about the problem, helping to bring to light the most ideal solution possible. By being presently aware of this objective in your mind’s-eye, will help you to cycle through the 6 Thinking Hats more effectively.

Final Thoughts

The 6 Thinking Hats are a multi-dimensional tool that will dramatically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your thinking methods. Whether for problem solving, overcoming challenges, making better business decisions or thinking more effectively about your academic subjects – the 6 Thinking Hats will help you find the solutions, answers and opportunities you need to keep you ahead of the game. Nevertheless, even though your 6 Thinking Hats now hang securely on your coat hanger at home, they must be consistently utilized in order to have a positive impact on your life. And the choice is purely yours to make. You can either just leave them hanging there collecting dust, or you can consistently and persistently utilize them to improve the quality of your life.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have had experience utilizing the 6 Thinking Hats in life or business, than please share your experiences in the comments section below. If on the other hand you seek further guidance and assistance about this method of thinking, than feel free to share your questions and I will answer them for you to the best of my ability.

Spotlight on the MasterMind Matrix

The 6 Thinking Hats are an important and indispensable component of the MasterMind Matrix.

[ View Larger Image ]

The MasterMind Matrix is a Psychological Chart of Personal Success and Achievement. It is used as an effective Self-Coaching tool that will help guide you through the personal obstacles, setbacks and limitations that may stand in your way as you progress towards the attainment of your goals and objectives in the field of academics, business, career, sports, or life in general.

Each IQ Matrix Mind Map that is available through this website represents a single cell fragment of the MasterMind Matrix. For more information and images, visit the MasterMind Matrix page.

Edward de Bono Discusses the 6 Thinking Hats

Click here to view the embedded video.

Free Articles & Online Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding about this topic:

• 6 Thinking Hats: Mind Map & Downloadable Information Sheet @ Spiritual Inspiration
• The 6 Thinking Hats Introduction @ Mind Tools
• Problem Solving Tools Series: 6 Thinking Hats @ Technology as Innovator
• Online Thinking Guides @ ExploraTree

Recommended Software Tools

• De Bono Thinking Software – With the de Bono Thinking 24×7 Personal Edition software, individuals and teams can apply essential thought processes for fast, efficient and innovative output on practical business issues. At the press of a key, de Bono Thinking 24×7 lays out a customized thinking map, chosen by the user, to prompt the use of Dr. Edward de Bono’s most popular tools, the Six Thinking Hats® and Lateral Thinking™.

Recommended Products

Prime Thinking Skills – Dr, Carl Aylen will show you how to develop the Thinking Skills to Overcome Life’s Toughest Challenges. Within this program you will learn how to make use of the 4 thinking perspectives, how to focus on thinking and actions you need to master self-motivation, how to use thinking to overcome life’s most difficult problems, and much more.

Recommended Books

• Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
• Teach Your Child How to Think by Edward de Bono
• Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step by Edward de Bono
• De Bono’s Thinking Course, Revised Edition by Edward de Bono
• I Am Right You Are Wrong: From This to the New Renaissance: From Rock Logic to Water Logic by Edward de Bono

If you would like to download a copy of this IQ Matrix, it is available from the IQ Matrix Shop.

| Buy Poster | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Introduction

As we go about our days, we tend to perceive, decipher and understand the problems, events and circumstances of our lives somewhat differently than others. In fact we believe that our understanding of reality is built upon the foundations of our perceptions – what we take in through our sensory organs including the eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue. This is however only one half of the picture. Our perception of reality is actually built upon the foundations of our filtering mechanisms, which break down how we perceive the problems, events and circumstances of our lives as they relate to our thoughts, beliefs, habitual behaviors, emotions and actions. These filters determine the decisions we make on a daily basis and the perceptions of reality we bring forth into the world.

Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker has more to do with a state of mind rather than the specific set of tools, techniques or strategies you utilize on a daily basis. It is this state of mind that will help you to overcome the obstacles and challenges you face on a daily basis. Moreover, it is exactly this state of mind that will assist you in effectively piercing through the veil of filters coloring your understanding of the world around you. As a result you will be better prepared to deal with the problems, challenges and obstacles that are impeding your progress towards your goals and objectives.

This IQ Matrix delves into the mind of an Outstanding Critical Thinker. The first branch of the IQ Matrix breaks down the essential traits of critical thinking including it’s advantages, the characteristics, vocabulary and mindset that is required for outstanding objective thinking. The second branch of the IQ Matrix delves into the critical thinking process and analyzes the different types of perspectives that critical thinkers adopt into their everyday thinking patterns. The final branch of the IQ Matrix expands on a number of effective questions that are essential to a critical thinker’s habitual thought process as they work their way through the problems confronting their everyday reality.

This article post is part of an Effective Thinking Series of IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are designed to help you successfully deal with the problems and challenges confronting your daily life reality. Topics within this series include:

• Part 1: Strategic Life Questioning Tactics
• Part 2: Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential
• Part 3: Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within
• Part 4: Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker
• Part 5: 6 Thinking Hats: Solving Life’s Complex Problems

A Critical Thinker’s Indispensable Traits

Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker requires the adoption of a number of key characteristics, mindset shifts and traits that will help instill certain habitual thoughts and patterns of behavior, which are essential to helping you overcome the obstacles and challenges in your life. This branch of the IQ Matrix delves into these psychological components that are required for critical thought.

Definition of Critical Thinking

It is the process of critically judging the validity of information through the utilization of an effective set of criteria that help you to better understand your outcomes, thusly enabling you to make better and more educated decisions about the problems confronting your reality. The more effective you become at thinking critically about each and every circumstance in your life, the more effective your decisions will become, and the more likely you are to achieve your goals and objectives successfully.

Advantages of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is an essential habitual thought process that we must regularly learn to cultivate and grow within the recesses of our minds. Without it we will struggle to make sense of reality. However, with it we will open new doors of understanding about the events and circumstances of our lives. Here is a break down of the advantages of critical thought:

Expands Perspective & Possibilities

Critical thinking allows us to see things from unique perspectives that – under normal circumstances – would not have been evident. By learning to ask the right kinds of questions and effectively breaking down each angle and avenue for new answers, we expand the possibilities of the reality we find ourselves in. With this unique outlook we are therefore better able to reach new solutions and find the answers that will help us to overcome our problems in the most proficient manner.

Identifies Hidden Facts & Assumptions

Many events and circumstances of our lives are riddled with hidden facts that lead us to make rushed assumptions about our predicament. By learning to ask the right kinds of critical questions, you will effectively unveil that which is hidden from view. You will therefore have a greater array of information to work with in order to reach effective conclusions about the obstacles that are confronting your present reality.

Builds Confidence, Knowledge & Understanding

Asking the right kinds of critical questions helps us to gain new knowledge, perspective and understanding about the state of our current life circumstances. As a result of acquiring this knowledge, we effectively gain the confidence we need in order to overcome the problems and obstacles in our life successfully.

Helps with Problem Solving & Creativity

Effective critical thinking goes hand-in-hand with problem solving and creativity. When you think critically about a problem in your life, you essentially open the floodgates to new insights, encouraging deeper and more creative thought about your circumstances and predicament. Each of these three methods will help you to gain perspective about your life, and will thusly lead you to the answers you have been searching for all along.

Mindset of a Critical Thinker

An Outstanding Critical Thinker’s mindset may seem complex at first, and somewhat difficult to understand. Yet, their habitual thought process essentially works on simple patterns of thinking that piece information together from a detached and unemotional perspective. They perceive everything as only being part of a greater and wider canvas that needs to be completely understood in its entirety before all the answers can be revealed. It is these insights that allow them to reach effective decisions that further help them overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges confronting their reality.

Ability to Distinguish Between Pieces of Information

An Outstanding Critical Thinker has the ability to distinguish between different chunks or pieces of information that appear to be very similar on the surface. They fully realize and understand that if they make quick judgments or assumptions about this information, that they will effectively misinterpret their circumstances including the foundations of their reality. As a result they always attempt to separate distinguishing fragments of conflicting pieces of information in order to gain the widest and most thorough perspective of the events and circumstances they find themselves in. They consciously and consistently distinguish facts from opinions, causes from effects, and ideas from assumptions. These distinguishing characteristics allow them to better understand the world from a completely unbiased and reflective perspective.

Ability to Identify Patterns & Connections

When we take information in through our senses, we naturally tend to categorize and segregate it within our minds accordingly in a way that will promote a greater sense of understanding and awareness. We effectively try and make sense of this information based on our understanding of the patterns evident within it. An Outstanding Critical Thinker will naturally tend to relate with, and identify a greater array of patterns within a piece of information when compared to the rest of the population. As a result they are better able to make the necessary connections and associations with existing memories, thusly leading them to reach insights and conclusions – about the events and circumstances presented within their reality – that are simply not available to the rest of us. This is in fact a primary trait that separates the genius thinkers from everybody else.

Ability to Analyze Information

An Outstanding Critical Thinker always thinks about information from an analytic perspective. Constantly questioning, ordering, and comparing different aspects of information, they effectively trigger new insights and understandings that help them to find suitable answers to the most difficult life challenges.

Characteristics of a Critical Thinker

An Outstanding Critical Thinker has a set of characteristic traits that are essential to effective and efficient thought. These traits help them to think more proficiently about the problems within their life. As a result they are able to gather unexpected insights and understandings that help improve their decision making abilities.

Open Minded

An Outstanding Critical Thinker is always open minded to all possibilities, interpretations and perspectives. They understand that unless they keep an open mind at all times, that they may essentially miss important cues and pieces of information that will provide them with new insights and understandings to successfully overcome the problems confronting their reality.

Has Flexibility of Thought

An Outstanding Critical Thinker completely understands that a flexible and fluid thought process is required at all times in order to successfully gain new insights and perspectives about the events and circumstances confronting their reality. They are fully aware that there are always a variety of ways of looking at a situation, and that there are an endless amount of possibilities and perspectives available to them at any one moment in time. They therefore maintain their flexible nature and change course in their thinking, decision making and actions whenever an opportunity presents itself to move them forward in a more proficient manner.

Vocabulary of a Critical Thinker

An Outstanding Critical Thinker’s vocabulary focuses on breaking down the problems and circumstances present within their life from a multitude of angles and perspectives. Their words help bring clarity and understanding to situations that at first may seem foggy and misdirected. The following is a list of words that Outstanding Critical Thinkers utilize to formulate questions to the problems confronting their reality: “Meaning, Reasons, Example, Prejudice, Evidence, Reliability, Viewpoint, Credibility, Explanation, Consequences, Assumptions, and Relevance”. Each of these words can effectively be formulated into insightful and thought provoking questions that will help you to break down any problem or situation from a critical perspective.

Critical Thinking Process for Problem Solving

The critical thinking process for problem solving will help you to gain a wider perspective into the events and circumstances of your life. These insights will stimulate new ideas and understandings that will help you to reach solutions and answers that would not have been possible through standard patterns of thinking. As you progress through this branch of the IQ Matrix you will discover a simple step-by-step process of critical thought that will improve your chances of overcoming the obstacles and challenges confronting your reality in the most efficient and effective manner. You will also be presented with some key insights and perspectives of critical thought that will become indispensable to your growth as a critical thinker.

Steps for Effective Critical Thinking

The following is one of several methods of critical thought that will help you to break down your problems in the most proficient manner. As you follow these steps one at a time, it is important to reflect back on the first branch of the IQ Matrix and cultivate the “Critical Thinking traits”. This is relevant, because without these traits you will struggle to establish the pattern of thinking that is required to work through this process effectively.

Knowledge

Your first step to effective critical thought is to tune into your past memories, knowledge and understanding of this problem or a similar challenge you experienced in the past. Recall how you dealt with this circumstance identifying the effectiveness and efficiency of your approach. You are essentially trying to bring forth useful insights and experiences from your past into the present. Here are some questions to get you started:

What past experiences could be useful in assisting me here?

What could I utilize from my past that would effectively help me here?

How is this relevant to my current circumstances and problem?

Why did these tactics work for me in the past?

Who helped me in the past, and how can they assist me in the present?

Why is all this important? And how can I best utilize it?

Comprehension

Your goal here is to demonstrate your understanding of your current problem or predicament. You must essentially gather thorough objective insights about the events and circumstances that are manifesting within your reality. This is best achieved through a process of organizing, comparing, translating and possibly interpreting your predicament from a variety of angles and perspectives. This is where the Outstanding Critical Thinker distinguishes between facts and opinions, between causes and effects, and between ideas and assumptions. Here are some questions to get you started:

What is really going on here?

How could I look at this problem from a variety of different angles and perspectives?

How does this problem compare with my past experience and understanding?

Application

Your goal here is to take a look at hypothetical solutions to your problem. This is best achieved through the process of applying your acquired knowledge, facts, and the insights you gained from the previous two steps in a unique way. We discussed many of these strategies throughout the Creative Thinking and Problem Solving IQ Matrixes. If you haven’t done so already, than have a read through them to further your understanding about this step. However, before proceeding to the questions, it is important to clarify that the key here is to only flex your understanding about the potential solutions that may be possible. It’s all about possibilities here, and not so much about probabilities. Hence, keep a flexible approach and gain as clear of a perspective about your circumstances as is possible. Here are some questions to get you started:

What if…?

How would I best utilize…?

What examples, techniques, objects and tools can I find that could further assist me here?

What approach could I use that would expand the possibilities here?

What would result if I did…?

Analysis

Now that you have loosened your mind through the process of formulating hypothetical solutions, you are now free to enter the Examination Stage, where you break the information and knowledge you have gathered into chunks, that will help you to reach effective explanations for the motives or causes of this problem. By fully understanding the causes, you will be better prepared to critically examine the concrete solutions within the Synthesis Stage. This is also the moment where the Outstanding Critical Thinker analyses all the information they have collected through comparing, ordering and intensive questioning tactics. Here are some questions to get you started:

How is this related to…?

What is the relationship between…?

What distinctions can I make between…?

What are the possible causes that triggered this problem in the first place?

What possible conclusions can be drawn from this?

What evidence can I find to backup these conclusions?

What other ideas can justify this?

What new possibilities of understanding does this bring to mind?

Synthesis

Now that you have a rough idea of the potential solutions and have pinpointed the causes that led to the formation of this problem, you are finally ready to synthesize and compile all this information in a way that will help you gain unique insights into the potential solutions to your problem. This is where the Outstanding Critical Thinker begins their search for patterns and connections between pieces of information, helping them to reach new insights and answers that may not have been evident before. Here are some questions to get you started:

What possible changes could I make to solve this effectively?

How would I potentially improve…?

What would happen if…?

How could I potentially change…?

What could be done to minimize this problem most effectively?

Suppose I could… What would I do?

What could I construct that would change…?

What is the best potential solution for this problem?

How would I test the potential consequences of these outcomes?

Evaluation

Within the final stage of this critical thinking process you must be prepared to defend and test the validity of the solutions you brought forward throughout the Synthesis Stage. You must effectively develop a set of criteria that you will utilize to evaluate the potential solutions to your problem. Without this “set of criteria” you will struggle to find the answers you are after. Here are some questions to get you started:

How could I prove or disprove the advantages of choosing this method to overcome my problem?

How could I evaluate this more thoroughly? What new insights could I gain?

How could I be certain of the potential outcomes?

How can I justify that this is the ideal and correct solution? How could I argue against this justification?

What solution would I choose if…?

Critical Thinking Perspectives

An Outstanding Critical Thinker perceives the world from a vastly different perspective than the average person. They naturally see things that others don’t because they are not afraid to ask the difficult questions that will help to open their mind and expand their habitual processes of thinking. As a result, they reach better insights, understandings, and therefore are able to reach more effective decisions to help them overcome the challenges and obstacles in their life. The following is a list of methods that Critical Thinkers use to analyze the problems within their life. Each step of this analysis process allows them to dig deeper into the underlying factors of a problem, and thusly enables them to gain a wider perspective of the events and circumstances.

Facts vs. Opinion Analysis

An Outstanding Critical Thinker understands and immediately picks up on the differences between facts and opinions. They realize that opinions are based on feelings, suggestions and future predictions. On the other hand, facts are built upon evidence, past events and upon variables that can easily be proven and measured. They fully realize that the best way to work through their problems is to base their understanding upon concrete facts that will help them reach effective solutions to their circumstances.

Fact Based Words – “Has… Was… Is…”

Opinion Based Words – “Could… Should… Might… Possibly… Potentially…”

Definitive vs. Indefinitive Analysis

An Outstanding Critical Thinker takes time to analyze each and every circumstance from a definitive and indefinite perspective. They understand that they must be very careful not to jump to any rushed conclusions or make unnecessary assumptions about the events and circumstances they are experiencing. Yet at the same time, they fully realize the importance of bringing forth all the possible assumptions that could be made when dealing with this particular problem. This “Conscious Assumption Awareness” will essentially lead them to the answers they are searching for. Here are some questions that will help you to break through the assumptions that may be hindering your understanding about your problems:

What can I directly observe?

What could potentially be misinterpreted here?

What is another explanation for this?

Reliable vs. Unreliable Analysis

An Outstanding Critical Thinker takes time to judge whether or not a certain perspective or piece of information is reliable or unreliable. They fully understand that if they are unable to identify the reliability of something, that this could essentially throw them off the beaten track, which will make it ever more so difficult to overcome the problems confronting their reality. Here are some questions that will help you break down the reliability of the perspectives you have taken:

Can this perspective be justified?

Where is the evidence for this?

What is it about this that doesn’t quite compute?

Relevant vs. Irrelevant Analysis

An Outstanding Critical Thinker does not waste their time on irrelevant perspectives and pieces of information. They fully know that focusing on irrelevant information and perspectives will lead them to a dead-end that could essentially exacerbate their problems even further. As a result they Zero-In on the most relevant information, perspectives and solutions that will help them to successfully overcome the obstacles and challenges standing in their way. Here are some questions that will help you to identify the relevance and irrelevance of the perspectives you have taken:

Is this really relevant to the outcome I seek to attain?

Is this really relevant to the solutions I hope to realize?

What is most relevant to my outcome, and what should I be focusing my attention on?

What is not relevant to my outcome at all?

Critical Thinker’s Questioning Tactics

Outstanding critical thinking effectively rests upon the quality of questions we regularly ask ourselves to help us overcome the challenges in life. Our problems have an amazing and all encompassing power when we fail to control and understand their fickle ways. However, through the process of asking effective critical questions we gain new insights that open the doors to a greater sense of control, helping us reach better solutions to our problematic circumstances. This branch of the IQ Matrix focuses on a simple questioning process that will force you to think more critically about the problems and circumstances in your life.

Seek Clarification

Whenever first confronted by a problem it is paramount that you immediately seek to clarify what exactly is going on from a variety of different angles and perspectives. Your goal is to immediately question yourself and others about the problem, identifying the potential causes, reasons, meanings and possible solutions that need to be pieced together. Here are some questions you should ask yourself or others about the problem:

What do you mean when you say…?

Why do you say that?

Could you give me an example of why this is the case?

Can you provide reasons for your perspective and the stance you have taken?

Could you explain that further?

What other possible factors could have triggered this problem?

What else could this mean?

Why is this important?

Can you restate that another way?

Break Down Assumptions

Once you have thoroughly clarified the problem, your next step is to break down all the possible assumptions that may be coloring your perception of reality. This is achieved through questioning possible misunderstandings or misleading conclusions that have been made. Here are some questions you should ask yourself or others about the problem:

Could this potentially be a simple overlooked assumption?

How can you justify this statement?

Why do you think your assumptions hold here?

Why can’t you conclude that?

How can you break this down another way?

Probe Different Points of View

Once you have identified and broken down the possible assumptions that you or others might be making, you are now ready to probe for different points of view or perspectives that will help you to understand the problem from a variety of unique angles. Here are some questions you should ask yourself or others about the problem:

What would someone who disagrees with you say?

Does anyone see this another way? How exactly?

Why have you approached the issue from this perspective?

Have you considered the opposite point of view?

What are some other points of view?

How are other points of view justified?

Probe for Evidence

Having obtained a variety of perspectives and points of view, your next step is to begin questioning the validity of these perspectives. A few Words of Warning: If you do not validate these perspectives accurately, they may essentially lead you down the wrong path, and you will therefore fail to find an effective solution to your problem. Here are some questions you should ask yourself or others about the problem:

What are your reasons for saying that?

Could you explain your reasons further?

How do you know that’s true?

How does that apply here in this particular situation?

Why did you say that?

Are these reasons adequate?

Probe for Potential Consequences

The final step of this critical questioning process is to question the possible solutions, effects and implications of the outcomes and perspectives you have reached. Here are some questions you should ask yourself or others about this problem:

When you say… are you implying that…?

What effect will that have in the short and long-term?

If this is the case, than what else must follow?

What are the possible consequences of this decision?

Is this the only solution that is available, or is there another alternative?

Final Thoughts

Critical thinking is more than just a way of processing, organizing and validating chunks of information, it is in fact a lifestyle that we must cultivate and adopt into our habitual patterns of thought and behavior in order to breakthrough the obstacles confronting our everyday reality. However, many of us may very well ignore this process and continue to go about our daily lives accepting reality as it appears to be from our limited external perspective. We accept that problems exist, we accept that circumstances will not go our way, and we accept that disappointment awaits us around the corner. This act of acceptance breeds lazy habitual patterns of thinking, acting and decision making, that lock us away into a never changing inflexible world. We struggle to find answers because we lack the necessary habits of thought that will allow us to expand our understanding and perspective about our circumstances. As a result we fail to find the solutions that will awaken our critical thinker from within.

The solution is to begin transforming our perspective through the meticulous process of asking effective sets of questions that will help us to expand our understanding and awareness about our reality. Cultivate these critical thinking questions, practice them, work through them, and bring them forth into your daily patterns of thinking and acting, and you will progressively Become an Outstanding Critical Thinker.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have utilized any of these critical thinking tactics, or would like to share some of your own, than please feel free to comment below.

Spotlight on the MasterMind Matrix

The process of Critical Thinking is an important and indispensable component of the MasterMind Matrix.

[ View Larger Image ]

The MasterMind Matrix is a Psychological Chart of Personal Success and Achievement. It is used as an effective Self-Coaching tool that will help guide you through the personal obstacles, setbacks and limitations that may stand in your way as you progress towards the attainment of your goals and objectives in the field of academics, business, career, sports, or life in general.

Each IQ Matrix Mind Map that is available through this website represents a single cell fragment of the MasterMind Matrix. For more information and images, visit the MasterMind Matrix page.

Free Articles & Online Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding about this topic:

• List of Critical Thinking Resources and Articles @ The Critical Thinking Community
• How to Become a Remarkable Objective Critical Thinker (Part 1of 4) @ ZME Life Tips
• Seven Reasons to Think Critically @ Practical Personal Development

Recommended Books

• Critical Thinking by Brooke Noel Moore
• Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life by Richard W. Paul & Linda Elder
• Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (8th Edition) by Neil Browne
• Developing Critical Thinkers: Challenging Adults to Explore Alternative Ways of Thinking and Acting by Stephen D. Brookfield

If you would like to download a copy of this IQ Matrix, it is available from the IQ Matrix Shop.

| Buy Poster | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Introduction

Problem Solving, Creative and Critical Thinking go hand-in-hand helping us to see the world from several different angles and perspectives. Each of these techniques strengthen our capacity to think in flexible and adaptable ways expanding our understanding and awareness about the world we live in. This post will specifically focus on the process of problem solving, discussing how we can apply its techniques, strategies and methods to breakthrough the challenges that life throws our way in a logical, systematic and thought provoking manner.

The first branch of the IQ Matrix identifies the attitude, belief systems, habits and characteristics that are indispensable to an effective and efficient problem solver. The second branch of the IQ Matrix delves into the ideal primary problem solving method that will help you to break down and breakthrough any obstacle that stands in your way. The final branch of the IQ Matrix presents you with some ongoing problem solving tactics that will keep your mind focused and proactive when dealing with the obstacles that confront your daily way of life.

This article post is part of an Effective Thinking Series of IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are designed to help you successfully deal with the problems and challenges confronting your daily life reality. Topics within this series include:

• Part 1: Strategic Life Questioning Tactics
• Part 2: Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential
• Part 3: Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within
• Part 4: Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker
• Part 5: 6 Thinking Hats: Solving Life’s Complex Problems

Indispensable Problem Solver Attributes

Becoming a proactive and efficient problem solver requires a little more than a set of effective problem solving strategies. In fact, your problem solving ability begins in the mind. If you do not take the time to fully condition your mind and prepare it for the act of problem solving, than you will simply struggle to consistently partake in the daily behaviors and rituals that are required for effective problem solving. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will take a look at and identify the indispensable attributes of problem solving that you MUST cultivate within your mind on a daily basis. If you fail to incorporate these qualities into your psyche, than you will struggle to effectively apply the techniques and strategies that are presented in the remaining two branches of this IQ Matrix.

A Problem Solver’s Attitude

A problem solver’s attitude effectively determines their external approach to every problem that confronts their daily reality. This attitude is displayed in their thoughts, behaviors and external actions, and it is this attitude that helps to build their resolve assisting them to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Let’s delve into the mind of an effective problem solver and identify some of the attitudes that are absolutely indispensable to their ongoing success in life:

“I will make sure to do things carefully” - An effective problem solver always strives to work through their problems in a patient, meticulous and careful manner. They fully understand that the care they give to a problem at the beginning, will help them to realize better and more effective solutions in the future.

“This problem can be solved” – An effective problem solver intuitively understands that any problem that confronts their daily reality can and will be solved, given enough time, patience and meticulous careful attention.

“I must persist till a solution is reached” – An effective problem solver knows that not all problems will be solved within the time frame they may have expected. However, they also understand that if they are persistent and hold true to their resolve, than eventually the curtain veils will open and their solution will be unveiled.

“If I don’t solve it now, I will next time” – An effective problem solver realizes that whatever cannot be solved now, will eventually be solved another time. They fully understand that due to their current level of skill, knowledge, or simply due to circumstances out of their current control, that a solution simply cannot be reached. Hence, they bide their time to acquire new information and knowledge, to develop and enhance their skill levels, and to gain insights from a variety of angles and perspectives. They completely understand that eventually the right solution will indeed come to them.

“I am going to enjoy this process” - An effective problem solver knows that unless they adopt a playful and inquisitive attitude, that as a result they will struggle to find appropriate solutions. They therefore always strive to find new and unique ways to enjoy the process of working their way through a problem.

A Problem Solver’s Beliefs

An effective problem solver has a set of undeniable and indispensable beliefs and convictions that direct and propel their thoughts, actions and daily behaviors. These beliefs are so deeply ingrained into their psyche that it would take the force and willpower of the entire world to shake these feeling of certainty. And that’s pretty much what beliefs are. They are opinions that we have about things, ourselves, others and the world around us that are injected with an undeniable sense of certainty. We will discuss the process of building strong and empowering beliefs in a future Mind Map. However, for the purpose of this discussion let’s take a look at a handful of beliefs that are critical to effective problem solving:

“There is no Failure only Feedback” – An effective problem solver believes that outcomes bring with them no failure, but rather only feedback, which must be utilized as a source of knowledge, insight and learning to enhance the decisions one makes, and the actions one takes to resolve problems successfully.

“There is a way to make this work” – An effective problem solver believes that there is always a way to make things work. They may not see the solution at this very moment, however through the act of persistent searching, they wholeheartedly believe that they will eventually reach a satisfactory outcome.

“Choice is better than no choice” – An effective problem solver believes that it is better to have more choices to choose from, than to be limited by the choices that one has available to them. Hence they always strive to expand the possibilities, to expand the opportunities and avenues for answers, allowing for as many choices as possible to further their understanding about a problem.

“Success can be Modeled” – An effective problem solver believes that successful problem solving can be modeled. They consistently seek out other people who have successfully overcome similar problems and they attempt to model their thinking, decisions and actions in a meticulous manner, thusly helping them to effectively overcome the obstacles and challenges in their own life. We will be discussing the in-depth process of Modeling Success in a future Mind Map.

“Curiosity expands Opportunities and Possibilities” – An effective problem solver believes that one must be curious at all times if one desires to spot the opportunities and possibilities that lie along one’s path. Curiosity is an endearing characteristic that helps to expand creativity, intelligence and thinking ability over time.

A Problem Solver’s Habits

An effective problem solver has a set of daily habits and thought rituals that they partake in on a daily basis. These habits of thought assist them to think more effectively and proactively about the problems and challenges that confront their daily reality. We will discuss the process of how habits are formed in a future Mind Map. For now, let’s take a look at 3 habitual “thinking rituals” that are indispensable to effective problem solving:

Deep Probing

An effective problem solver cultivates the habit of deep probing. This involves the process of meticulous thinking taking into account all angles and perspectives about a problem, leaving nothing to chance. They fully realize that through a process of simple deduction that they will be better able to work their way through the problem in the most effective and efficient manner. The habit of deep probing can be compared to the simple act of peeling layers off an onion. Each layer that the problem solver peels off digs them deeper into the heart of the problem, and thusly closer to the inevitable solution.

Associating with the Past

An effective problem solver realizes that any new piece of information can effectively be associated with past memories, experiences and learnings, to further their problem solving ability.

Recognizing Patterns

An effective problem solver easily and effortlessly recognizes patterns within every problem or circumstance – thusly furthering their problem solving abilities. Everything within our Universe is built upon patterns and rhythmic dances that create the events and circumstances of our lives. In fact, these same patterns cause and create our daily life problems and circumstances. Through a process of identifying and learning to understand these patterns; effective problem solvers are able to decipher clues that will lead them to reliable solutions and answers. When attempting to identify patterns look for similarities, differences, rhythms, errors, future scenarios and trends that the problem is bringing to light.

A Problem Solver’s Characteristics

An effective problem solver can easily be distinguished from others by the key personality characteristics that naturally help them to break down boundaries and attain the heights of logical and constructive thought. The characteristics presented below are the primary traits we must cultivate within our personalities if we seek to successfully overcome the problems and challenges that are confronting our daily reality. Let’s take a look at each of them in a little detail:

Risk Taker

An effective problem solver understands that many problems will never fully be solved if risk isn’t involved. Risk may mean overcoming a fear, thinking outside the box beyond accepted norms and standards, or simply making the tough decisions that at the moment seem uncertain and unclear. Yes, problem solvers are risk takers, who believe that it is only through the process of risk taking that they will be able to reach effective solutions to the challenges confronting their daily reality.

Persistent

An effective problem solver is persistent in thought, decision and action. They clearly understand that there is a means and way around a problem, and that through a persistent attitude and approach, they will always find an angle that will bring about a satisfactory solution.

Enthusiastic

An effective problem solver displays passion and enthusiasm at all times. These two qualities provide them with the energy and motivation they need to help them overcome the toughest of challenges.

Meticulous

An effective problem solver is meticulous and thorough with every step they take moving towards their desired goals and outcomes. This thoroughness allows them to work through their problems step-by-step taking into account all angles and perspectives. As a result, solutions come to them easily and effortlessly at all times.

Adaptable & Flexible

An effective problem solver is constantly vigilant and aware of the changing faces of their daily life challenges. They clearly understand that problems can shift and change in a moments notice, and as a result they must adapt their approach accordingly. It is only through flexibility of thought and action that they are able to work through their problems in an efficient and effective manner.

Open Minded

An effective problem solver is always open minded to other people’s opinions and perspectives. They clearly understand that they do not hold all the answers, and that others may indeed have alternative views that will help them to see things from unique and insightful angles. Moreover, this will help open the doors to new understandings that would not otherwise have been available to them.

Light-Hearted

An effective problem solver approaches their daily life challenges in a light-hearted and playful manner. They fully realize the overwhelming power that problems can have on their psyche. To counteract this, they approach each problem in a playful and light-hearted manner, helping them to find solutions and answers where others only see overwhelm and distress.

Proactive

An effective problem solver is proactive in nature. They understand, they just have to keep moving forward and continue to take proactive action no matter how uncertain events or circumstances may seem at any specific moment in time. The opposite of being “proactive” is being “reactive”. When we are “reactive” we become easily overwhelmed by the events and circumstances of our lives because we fail to grasp emotional control of our inner psychology.

Curious

An effective problem solver is a curious thinker. Curiosity naturally leads to a plethora of questions that need to be answered. Once answered, they can evolve into a myriad of solutions that will help you to attain your desired goals and objectives through a more efficient and effective means.

Non-Conforming

An effective problem solver does not conform to the standards and norms of mainstream society. Instead, they think out of the box, and break the rules in order to reach their desired objectives and goals.

The Primary Problem Solving Method

There are effectively many problem solving techniques and strategies that we could present and discuss here. However there is essentially only one primary problem solving method that will help you to structure and break down a problem step-by-step from the beginning to the very end – when an effective solution is finally reached. This branch of the IQ Matrix will provide you with an introduction to this method, by taking you through the 6 phases of effective problem solving. By consciously learning to apply each of these phases into every problematic scenarios in your life, you will proactively take control of your daily decision making process. Let’s now take a look at each of these phases in a little more detail:

Preparation Phase

This phase helps you to identify, define and decipher an overall picture and understanding about the problem that is currently confronting your reality. As you progress through this phase, it is important to gain as much clarity about your problem as possible from absolutely every angle and perspective. Any assumptions or misunderstandings here, could very well sabotage the effectiveness of the problem solving thought process. Therefore be very careful to clarify everything clearly and meticulously.

Identify the Problem

Your first step is to always clearly identify the problem that is confronting your reality. Many people fail to do this correctly, and as a result they discover that what they thought was a problem is in fact a mistaken assumption that now requires a dramatically different approach.

Define Problem in Writing

Once you have identified the problem, you next step is to clearly define it on paper. It is only through the process of writing our thoughts down on paper that we attain the clarity we need to effectively deal with the challenges that stand in our way.

Question the Problem

To further clarity and expand your understanding about this problem, it is recommended that you ask yourself a set of open-ended questions that will help you to define the problem from a variety of angles and perspectives. The questions you should be asking yourself must be focused on the What? When? Where? Why? Who? and How? of the problem under question. Undertaking this process with meticulous attention will open up new insights and understandings that are critical to the effectiveness of the later phases of this Problem Solving Method. It is important to understand that you are not seeking solutions or answers here, but rather gathering insights into the problem from as many different angles and perspectives you can identify. Here are a few questions to get you started:

What exactly is the actual problem that is impeding my progress?

When did this problem occur?

Where did this problem first appear?

Why is this problem impeding my progress?

Who is involved in this problem?

How is this problem influencing other areas of my life?

Determine Possible Causes

Once you have clarified the problem, your next step is to identify the possible causes that may have triggered these outcomes. Again during this stage you must continue asking What? When? Where? Why? Who? and How? questions. Here are a few to get you started:

What could be the potential causes of this problem?

When did these causes originate?

Where did these causes originate?

Why did these causes originate?

Who could have triggered this problem?

How does all this help me in identifying the causes of this problem?

Reframe the Problem

Once you have identified and defined the causes of the problem, it is important to open your mind to alternative perspectives. At this stage you are not yet seeking answers or solutions but rather opening up your mind to different perspectives that will help you to understand the problem from a variety of angles. This process involves the act of “Reframing”, which is an NLP term we will discuss in further detail in a future Mind Map. However, for the purpose of this discussion, here are a few reframing questions to get you started:

How might other people perceive this problem?

How would I perceive this problem if I was to look back on it 12 months from this day?

What if I was completely detached from this problem and its outcomes. How would I now perceive it?

What has to be true for this to be a problem?

Define Desired Outcomes

Finally, you must gain clarity by defining the desired outcomes you would like to attain from successfully working your way through this problem. These outcomes will help to direct your mind towards solutions as you progressively move through the remaining phases of this Problem Solving Method. The strategy you utilize to achieve this outcome isn’t important at this stage. The only thing that matters is that you clarify on paper the end objective and goal you are after.

Generation Phase

This phase allows for free association and exploration of wild and crazy ideas that must not be judged, criticized or condemned for any reason. The greater flexibility of thought you incorporate into this phase, the more effective the later phases will become. It is important throughout this phase that you literally overwhelm your brain with as many solutions as possible. The greater the variety of solutions and strategies you come up with, the more insightful and effective the Incubation Phase will become.

Recall Past Learnings, Experiences & Mistakes

Recalling your past life experiences will help you to gain better perspective about your current predicament. Many people constantly need to deal with the same ongoing problems and challenges in life because they simply fail to learn from their past experience and mistakes. It is only through a process of self-reflection and understanding that we will gain the necessary insights to move through our current problems efficiently and effectively. Also keep in mind that any past experience – even if not directly related to your current problems – could potentially help you find the solutions you are after.

Explore Strategies & Solutions

Having brought your past learnings and mistakes into the present, you are now ready to brainstorm solutions and strategies that will help you to successfully overcome the challenge confronting your current reality. There are many means and methods of brainstorming that we will discuss another time. Please take a look at Strategic Life Questioning Tactics and Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential for some further insights.

It is important here, as you are brainstorming that you do not judge or criticize your solutions. Your thinking must flow effectively and efficiently from one idea to the next like water gently trickling off a leaf. All you are doing is generating possible and potential solutions that will help to expand your thinking and awareness about the problem you are currently experiencing. Lightly consider the drawbacks and obstacles that may be attached to these solutions, however primarily spend your time on the benefits of each strategy and how it could potentially lead you to the outcome you outlined within the Preparation Phase. As a final thought, keep in mind that the “How” isn’t important here. Instead it is the “What” that matters.

Incubation Phase

This could very well be called the “Resting Phase”. Your goal and objective here is to simply allow the solutions and ideas you came up with during the Generation Phase to harvest and grow within the recesses of your mind without ridicule or judgment. The key here is to basically separate your mind from the problem so completely that it simply becomes irrelevant and insignificant. Flowers cannot sprout and grow if weeds are dominating your thought process.

Indulge in Brainstorming Naps

Brainstorming naps are short 15 to 30 minute breaks you take throughout your day where you close your eyes and open yourself up to potential solutions. Before you take these brainstorming naps, it is important that you partake in a good 30 to 45 minutes of intense thought and reflection about possible solutions to your problem. As you lie back in a comfortable position and close your eyes, ask yourself the following questions:

How can I solve this problem in the most effective and efficient manner?

What must I do to attain my desired outcome?

Once your questions have been asked, simply settle down and observe your thoughts as though you are watching clouds drifting across the sky. Within these visual images you may very well find the answers you are after.

Sleep on Problem

Simply put your problem to rest and go to sleep. As you are nodding off, pose yourself insightful questions that will stimulate the thought process and encourage your brain to search for answers. As you awaken the next morning, immediately reflect on your thoughts and dreams – they may hold the answers you have been longing for all this time.

Change Your Environment to Improve Incubation

Stepping out into nature or simply into an inspiring and energetic environment will separate you from your problem and help you to think more effectively about potential solutions. However, since we are in the Incubation Phase, it is important to simply let go of the process of intense meticulous thinking. Instead, simply enjoy your surroundings, and the answers you are after will eventually reveal themselves to you. Just in case, have a piece of paper and pen ready to write down inspiring solutions as they come your way.

Evolution Phase

Now that your ideas have had a chance to incubate within the recesses of your mind – you are now ready to take your thinking to the next level and become your worst and best critic. Your goal throughout the Evolution Phase is to break down and clarify all your potential solutions progressively and meticulously allowing for deep insights and all round perspectives. The more thorough you are while undertaking this process, the lesser challenges you will face throughout the Implementation Phase that follows.

Prioritize & Evaluate Solutions

Collate all the solutions you brought forward throughout the Generation and Incubation Phases and evaluate them accordingly. Evaluate the viability of these solutions by looking at them from a variety of different angles and perspectives. Also take into account the time and energy you have on hand that will allow you to bring these solutions into the real world. Once completed, effectively prioritize your solutions to help you better decipher which ones could best assist you in overcoming your problems most efficiently.

Speculate Potential Future Outcomes & Negative Consequences

Future Pace each solution and see it clearly helping you overcome your problem. Identify the possible drawbacks, weaknesses as well as the strengths and potential opportunities that may result. The greater clarity you gain here, the easier it will be to settle on an ideal and clearcut solution to your problem.

Settle on Solutions

Having accumulated a thorough and comprehensive list of solutions throughout the Generation and Incubation Phases, and having outlined the possible consequences of each of these outcomes, you are now ready to select one primary desirable solution that will help you overcome your problem in the most effective and efficient manner. Take everything into consideration and decide which solution will best help you to achieve your end goal and desired outcome.

Implementation Phase

Your goal throughout the Implementation Phase is to progressively and meticulously work through the solution to your problem in a step-by-step manner via a process of logical decision making and action. You are basically bringing everything you have thought about and outlined on paper into reality. Many people will struggle to get through this stage successfully because of the dreaded Procrastination Bug. In order to avoid this trap have a read of From Procrastination to Instant Motivation IQ Matrix – it will help instill characteristics and traits that are essential for inspired proactive action.

Clarify Your Personal Vision of Outcome on Paper

Having settled on your ideal solution to this problem, take some time now to clarify this vision on paper.

Clarify the Personal Resources at Your Disposal

Identify the support, skills, knowledge and tools you currently have at your disposal that will help you to successfully overcome this problem. If you find that you are lacking in some of these areas, than you may need to regroup and update your skills or knowledge to help you deal with this problem more effectively. Or you may simply need to obtain the help and support of a new group of people who can guide you through this problem in a more proactive and efficient manner.

Create 3 Alternative Plans of Action

Now that you have the necessary skills, knowledge, support and tools you need to overcome this problem successfully, your next step is to draw up your plan of action. As previously discussed, it is important to be flexible with your actions and to take into account all the drawbacks and potential pitfalls of these steps. In order to minimize the possibilities of getting stuck, it is critical that you outline at the very least 3 alternative plans of action. If Plan A works out, than that’s great. However, if it fails miserably, than you still have Plan B and C at your disposal. We will discuss the intricate process of Effective Planning in a future Mind Map.

Set Clear Defined Deadlines for these Actions

Clear and defined deadlines will motivate you into action, while providing you with a time sensitive goal and objective to work towards. This process is discussed in great length within the Keys to Smart Goal Setting IQ Matrix.

Take Action Committing Yourself to the Result

Take proactive action focusing on the process of your actions and not on the problem or your end objective. Only through process orientation are you able to cultivate the flexible mentality you need to alter your course if unexpected events and circumstances come your way.

Learning Phase

This is an important phase that is very often overlooked. It will help you to clarify your thoughts, including the methods and strategies you utilized throughout the problem solving process. The learnings you gather from this kind of reflection will provide you with indispensable insights and understandings that will put your problem solving methods into perspectives, thusly furthering the effectiveness and efficiency of your approach as you tackle similar challenges in the future.

Monitor Your Outcomes

As you progress along your journey towards implementing your solution, pay attention to the outcomes that result from every thought you make and every decision and action you take. This awareness will help you to better understand your personal traits and tendencies, which will likewise assist you in bettering your problem solving methods in the future.

Reflect on the Problem Solving Process

Once you have successfully overcome your problem, spend some time thinking and reflecting about the problem solving process. Here are some questions to get you started:

What did I do well, and what am I proud of about the way I conducted myself throughout this process?

What problem solving traits did I cultivate and bring to the forefront throughout this process?

What problem solving traits did I neglect?

What mistakes did I make as I worked my way through this problem?

What have I learned from these experiences?

What could I have done better… more effectively and efficiently?

How can I utilize these learnings and experiences to further my problem solving abilities in the future?

Ongoing Problem Solving Tactics

Becoming an effective problem solver involves an ongoing process of conscious thought and action that opens new doors of opportunity to solutions and answers. These solutions and answers will simply not come to us through the process of sporadically applying the Primary Problem Solving Method. Instead they only come to those who instill into their psyche habitual patterns of behavior that are consistent and aligned with a problem solver’s mentality. Becoming an effective problem solver is not a Part Time career, it is rather a full time habitual process that one grows within their daily thoughts and actions. This branch of the IQ Matrix will present you with a number of effective ongoing problem solving tactics you can utilize consistently throughout your day to keep your mind primed and ready for any challenge that may come your way.

Mindset Oriented Tactics

The following is a list of Mindset Oriented problem solving tactics you can utilize on a consistent basis to keep your mind primed and ready for the challenges that come your way:

Visualize Your Desired Outcomes

It is said that we can only achieve our goals and objectives if we are able to clearly visualize them first in our mind’s-eye. That which we are unable to visualize, we will likewise not be able to comprehend and realize within our physical reality. When we were babies our motor skills developed over time through a process of observation and visualization. Only once we were able to successfully visualize in our mind’s-eye the process of picking up physical objects, were we able to bring that same ability successfully into our physical reality. Thusly, it is important to regularly spend time visualizing your outcomes along with the possible scenarios and strategies you will utilize to overcome your problems effectively.

Ask Questions Searching for Solutions

Questions are the keys that will unlock doors of opportunity and answers to even the most pressing of problems. If you ask the ideal solution focused question, you will essentially receive the right answers to help move you forward through your challenges in the most effective and efficient manner. For further information, please click through to Strategic Life Questioning Tactics IQ Matrix.

Always See Opportunities for New Learnings

Problem solving is essentially built around the concept of “opportunity”. Effective problem solvers don’t actually see “problems” as others do. Instead they see only opportunities for new learnings, insights and understandings that will help them to keep moving forward towards the attainment of their goals and objectives. You must train your mind to look at every event or circumstance as an opportunity for you to grow and become more of what you seek to be. The challenges you face in life are there for a reason to help you attain your highest potential as a human being. Perceive these “problems” as opportunities and you will move through them more effectively and swiftly than ever before.

Think Critically

By thinking critically about every problem and circumstance in your life, you will essentially break down the walls of “assumption” that naturally tend to hinder a mind and trap it within the limitations of its own making.

Think Creatively

Whereas problem solving is very structured and logical, creativity on the other hand is unstructured and imaginative. These two forms of effective thinking are in many ways tied together and will work in conjunction to help you breakthrough the obstacles that are standing in your way. We have already discussed how to Unlock Your Creative Genius Potential, hence we will not delve into any further details here.

Think is Solitude

In order to think more effectively about the problems in our life we must first clear the clutter from our mind. This process essentially begins by immediately removing ourselves from the physical distractions that could impede our thinking ability. Within solitude you will find peace, harmony and a sense of connection with your body, spirit and mind. This will effectively release built up tension while opening up the channels to intuitive, creative and logical thought – helping you to overcome your problems with less effort and greater ease.

Let Go of Fears

Your fears will rob you of the ability to think effectively and problematically. Effective problem solvers don’t allow their fears to control their thoughts, decisions and actions. Instead they usurp their fears and focus on the pleasures that will bring them the outcomes they desire to experience within their life. For more information about fears, please click through to Steps for Overcoming Your Fears IQ Matrix.

Let Go of Judgments & Criticisms

Effective problem solving requires us to let go of ill-fated judgments and criticisms. The ideal solution can only be reached if we take time to harvest and cultivate it within the recesses of our minds for an extended period of time. This process thusly requires us to let go of the Devil’s Advocate role and milk our ideas for all their worth. It is only towards the end of the problem solving process that the Devil’s Advocate card should be played.

Let Go of Biases & Assumptions

For the same reason as mentioned above, we must let go of all biases and assumptions that may hold us back from successfully finding a solution to the problem at hand. This is usually easier said than done because in many instances our assumptions and biases naturally color our reality every single moment of the day. If we mistakenly assume something, than we may redirect our thoughts, decisions and actions down paths that we did not want to tread. The solution is to ask insightful and carefully structured questions that will help us to break down the biases and assumptions we are holding onto at any one moment in time. This process is encapsulated within the framework of Critical Thinking.

Allow for Fantasizing

Fantasizing can be an effective form of creative problem solving. Take time each and every day to simply remove yourself from physical reality and simply fantasize about creating a perfect life where everything you imagine becomes your reality. This process will help to loosen your mind, and may very well open the doors to a set of clever ideas that will assist you in overcoming your problems more effectively.

Allow for Playfulness

Playfulness is another endearing quality that you must cultivate every single day. Perceive each and every problem as an intriguing game that you must win at all costs. Play with this game, have fun, and enjoy the experience to its fullest.

Allow for Idea Incubation

No idea will fully evolve and grow to its fullest potential if you fail to incubate it within the recesses of your mind for a period of time. Sometimes brilliant ideas can come to us very easily and effortlessly. We revel in so much excitement, that we immediately take action in an attempt to bring the idea into physical reality. However, later we realize that the idea was incomplete or simply didn’t work out as expected. In instances such as these, it is easy to get disheartened. Our idea was great, but for some reason it just didn’t evolve because little did we know at the time, that this “iceberg” idea was only the “tip” of a much larger, complete and comprehensive thought pattern that was never brought to the surface. We thusly learn from this experience and take time to incubate our ideas as we move forward into the future.

Explore Funny & Foolish Ideas

No idea should ever be ruled out. Every idea is valid and useful no matter how foolish, crazy or funny it might seem on the surface. In fact some of the most foolish ideas have indeed earned people millions and others billions of dollars. Hence, don’t discount any idea until you have taken it through the entire Problem Solving cycle discussed within the 2nd branch of the IQ Matrix. We will discuss the process of Brainstorming and Cultivating our Foolish Ideas in a future Mind Map.

Explore Alternative Perspectives Using Lenses

Lenses are a form of creative problem solving that will help you to expand your understanding and awareness about your circumstances from a variety of unique and interesting perspectives. Each lens will help you to see the problem from a new point of view – assisting you in identifying creative solutions you may not have thought of before. The following list presents you with just a few lenses you can utilize to help trigger creative solutions for your problems:

Childhood Lens

Look at your problem from the perspective of an inquisitive and curious child. See your problem as an innocent circumstance that isn’t tinged with pre-conceived biases or assumptions. Ask yourself seemingly foolish, funny and creative questions that open up new ways of thinking about mundane circumstances and problems.

How would a child approach this problem?

What kinds of questions would they ask?

Athlete’s Lens

Look at your problem from the perspective of a motivated and determined athlete. See your problem as a mountain that you will tame and conquer. Ask yourself questions focused on persistence and determination that will expand the possibilities of your solutions and help you to breakthrough your problems more effectively?

How would an athlete approach this problem?

What kinds of questions would they ask?

Artist’s Lens

Look at your problem from the perspective of a creative and imaginative thinker. See your problem as a work of art that progressively takes shape. Ask yourself questions built around metaphors, stories, visual concepts and ideas that will provide you with a unique perspective about your problem.

How would an artist approach this problem?

What kinds of questions would they ask?

Scientist or Inventor’s Lens

Look at your problem from the perspective of an analytical scientist or crazy inventor. See your problem as an experiment that you must test and perfect. Ask yourself questions that are built around logical thinking and experimentation.

How would a scientist or crazy inventor approach this problem?

What kinds of questions would they ask?

Politician’s Lens

Look at your problem from the perspective of a confident, confronting and ambitious politician. See your problem as a political campaign that you must win at all costs. Ask yourself questions that help you poke holes in your problem, thusly bringing its weaknesses to the forefront – much like what politicians do to their opponents during television debates.

How would a politician approach this problem?

What kinds of questions would they ask?

Action Oriented Tactics

The following is a list of Action Oriented problem solving tactics you can utilize on a consistent basis to keep your mind primed and ready for the challenges that come your way:

Persistently Write Out Questions

Questions are the keys that will bring forth the answers and solutions to your problems. Sit down for 30 minutes per day with two sheets of paper and a pen. Write out your problem in a question format on top of both sheets. Take your 1st sheet of paper and spend 15 minutes writing out as many questions as you can think of that will help expand your thinking and awareness about this problem. When your 15 minutes is up, take out the 2nd sheet of paper and write out as many solutions as you can think of that will answer the questions you posed on the 1st sheet of paper. By undertaking this process consistently each and every day, you will effectively develop a problem solving knack that will help you breakthrough any obstacle standing in your way.

Read Broadly

Sometimes the answers to our problems can come from the most unexpected sources. Simply keep your problem in mind as you read a book, magazine or newspaper and observe your brain in overdrive searching for new pieces of information that it can associate to old memories and experiences. Within every piece of information you read, picture you see and sound you listen to, lies the solution to your problem. This awareness will get you halfway to your answer.

Update Your Skills & Knowledge

Our problems can only overwhelm us when we feel incapable of dealing with them in an effective and timely manner. The solution for this is to update specific skills and knowledge (pertaining to the problem) that will allow you to better handle and manage these types of challenges in the future.

Utilize Positive Language

A pessimist will naturally have a very difficult time finding solutions to even the simplest of problems. On the other hand, an “optimistic realist” – who utilizes positive language – will bring forth a great array of solutions that will further expand their thinking ability and creative potential.

Utilize Concept or Mind Maps

Mind Maps are extraordinary problem solving tools that will allow you to easily brainstorm effective and creative ideas. Mind Maps mimic our brain’s natural capacity to think, manage and organize large chunks of information in an proactive and efficient manner. They will help you to put your problem into perspective, while giving birth to new connections and associations that may not have been evident to you before.

Utilize Diagrams

Because our brains think in pictures and not words, it just makes sense that diagrams would help us conceptualize our ideas in a much more thorough and creative fashion. You may be surprised with the insights you will garner from simply drawing up your problem and solutions in a diagrammatic picture format.

Create & Utilize a Problem Solving System

Finally, it is important to understand that our problems will never evaporate completely. Such is life, that it constantly and continuously tests our resolve in order to help us grow and achieve our most desired goals and objectives. Those people who don’t seem to experience any problems in life, have simply mastered the illusion of hiding their problems from others through sensible decision making, management and by utilizing a – potentially unconscious – systemization processes. Every time you successfully work through your problems, it is important to draw up a systematic management plan that will help you to deal with these types of problems – and any problems for that matter – in a more effective and efficient manner in the future. We will discuss the intricate details of this process in the future.

Final Thoughts

It has been said that…

It’s not what happens to us that determines our fate, it’s rather what we do with what happens that determines our destiny.

The problems and challenges that confront our everyday reality are drawn to us for a reason and purpose – teaching us life lessons that help us grow and attain new levels of insight, awareness and understanding. Without problems we would never grow, we would never mature, we would never fully develop, and we would never experience the joy and satisfaction of attaining our most inspiring goals and objectives. Yes, problems are indeed blessings in disguise for some, while for others they become steppingstones for misery, stress, mayhem and dissatisfaction. These people just don’t get it…

It’s not what happens to us that determines our fate, it’s rather what we do with what happens that determines our destiny.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have utilized any of these problem solving strategies, or would like to share some of your own, than please feel free to comment below.

Spotlight on the MasterMind Matrix

The process of Problem Solving is an important and indispensable component of the MasterMind Matrix.

[ View Larger Image ]

The MasterMind Matrix is a Psychological Chart of Personal Success and Achievement. It is used as an effective Self-Coaching tool that will help guide you through the personal obstacles, setbacks and limitations that may stand in your way as you progress towards the attainment of your goals and objectives in the field of academics, business, career, sports, or life in general.

Each IQ Matrix Mind Map that is available through this website represents a single cell fragment of the MasterMind Matrix. For more information and images, visit the MasterMind Matrix page.

4 Problem Solving Steps

Click here to view the embedded video.

Visit Brian Tracy’s website to learn more about his personal development and business courses, books, and programs.

Free Articles & Online Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding about this topic:

• The Art of Complex Problem Solving @ iDiagram
• Einstein’s Secret to Amazing Problem Solving @ Litemind
• 16 Practical Tips for Solving Your Problems More Easily @ Positivity Blog
• 10 Timeless Lessons on Better Thinking @ Life Optimizer
• Your Guide to Get Spinning in the Idea Tornado @ Think Simple Now
• How to Find Creative Solutions to Non-Creative Problems @ Scott H Young
• Problem Solving Toolkit – 33 Tricks to Answer Tough Problems @ Scott H Young
• Solve Tough Problems by Using Lenses @ Scott H Young
• 10 Characteristics of Effective Problem Solvers @ Realty Times
• Silva Mind Control for Problem Solving @ Attraction Mind Map
• Solving Problems Effectively @ Brian Tracy
• Square Watermelon Problem Solving @ Dumb Little Man
• Ready-made Thinking Guides @ ExploraTree
• Solve Problems Like an Air Force Pilot @ Schaefer’s Blog
• The Incredible Problem Solving Power of Intuition @ Yin vs Yang
• The Best Way to Solve a Problem: Give Up @ Illuminated Mind

Recommended Books

• The Thinker’s Toolkit: 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving by Morban D. Jones
• Becoming a Problem Solving Genius by Edward Zaccaro
• The Art and Craft of Problem Solving by Paul Zeitz
• Rapid Problem Solving with Post-It Notes by David Straker
• Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities by Adam Kahane & Peter M Senge

If you would like to download a copy of this IQ Matrix, it is available from the IQ Matrix Shop.

| Buy Poster | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Introduction

Creativity is the hidden capacity to think about ourselves, others, objects, events and circumstances in original and unique ways. Moreover, creativity allows us to overcome great odds, problems and challenges that maybe standing in the way of the success we desire to attain in life. Yes, creativity is indeed a powerful and yet somewhat mystical ability that brings with it a vast array of opportunities and skills that enhance and better our lives. With it, we can move mountains, part oceans and attain the heights of success. On the other hand, without it the challenges of life become more difficult and arduous to bear.

The discussion today will focus on identifying, growing and heightening creativity in order to allow us to further our success in any field of endeavor. The first branch of the IQ Matrix will break down our capacity as creative individuals. We will essentially expand on the concept of creativity and analyze the effect it has on a variety of different – and seemingly disconnected – aspects of our lives. We will also focus our discussion upon the evolution of creativity through childhood, including the process of identifying a creative thought.

The second branch of the IQ Matrix will delve into the mind of a Creative Genius. We will take a look at the indispensable characteristics, belief systems, self-talk and the actions that creative people cultivate on a daily basis.

The third branch of the IQ Matrix will analyze a collection of common Creativity Roadblocks that can sabotage our thought process without a moments notice. We will specifically look at external and internal roadblocks that undermine the creativity process.

Finally, the forth branch of the IQ Matrix will break down some creativity enhancing strategies that will help promote and stimulate creative thought for academic, business, career and life success.

This article post is part of an Effective Thinking Series of IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are designed to help you successfully deal with the problems and challenges confronting your daily life reality. Topics within this series include:

• Part 1: Strategic Life Questioning Tactics
• Part 2: Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential
• Part 3: Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within
• Part 4: Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker
• Part 5: 6 Thinking Hats: Solving Life’s Complex Problems

Unlocking Your Creative Genius Capacity

Our creative ability is very difficult to measure because it can manifest in so many surprising and unexpected ways. As we go about our daily lives, our creativity comes to the forefront to assist us to overcome the problems and challenges that bring excitement and new experiences into our lives. Every time we successfully break through these obstacles we grow and expand our awareness about ourselves, others, circumstances and the world around us. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will delve into the dramatic influence that our creative capacity has on our quality of life and daily undertakings. We will also touch upon the evolution of creativity and how it grows and develops through childhood and eventually begins to decline as we grow older, and supposedly wiser. Finally we will quickly touch upon the concept of creative inspiration, and pinpoint some methods that will help you to identify your bursts of creativity.

Our Creative Capacity has a Wide Circle of Influence

In a lot of ways, I feel that we as a society underestimate the value and influence that our creative capacity has on a variety of different aspects of our lives. Our creative capacity is in fact so far reaching that you could effectively come to the conclusion that the quality of our lives is basically determined by the quality of our creative thinking. Let’s now look into this in a little more detail:

Determines Academic Success

Your creative capacity effectively determines your academic success, ability, effectiveness, efficiency and your flexibility of thought. There is no doubt that at school our Logical Intelligence is looked upon with high regard. The better capacity you have to remember key concepts, ideas and make sense of the information you are learning, the better marks you will achieve. However, in the classroom, creativity is in fact as important if not more important than your intellectual capacity. Your intellect might help you to understand key concepts and ideas, however it is your creative capacity that will help you to think in unorthodox ways, – somewhat outside the box – helping you to learn more efficiently, effectively and flexibly at the same time. Intellectuals are somewhat like computer programs that are fed information and data. On the other hand, creative individuals shift, change, expand, and alter this data in ways that will help them to improve their effectiveness and efficiency of learning. To put it another way, an intellectual will follow the instructions of the book to the letter without wavering or making a mistake. However, a creative individual will come up with brilliant ideas and methods that will help them to improve their speed of learning, reading, comprehension and proficiency.

Determines Career Advancement

Your creative capacity effectively determines how quickly you will advance your way up the career ladder. Almost anyone with a passion for a specific niche area, can learn and develop the skills to become proficient and reliable. Companies like to hire these types of people because they have a good sound knowledge base and understanding of their work responsibilities. However, in order to advance up the career ladder it takes a little more than a solid base of knowledge and experience. It actually requires the creative capacity to think outside the box about methods, tactics and strategies that will improve efficiency, effectiveness, grow profits, and enhance customer loyalty. It essentially doesn’t matter where you are currently positioned within your company. If you develop enough creative momentum you can climb up the corporate ladder in very quick succession with only a few groundbreaking creative ideas.

Determines Quality of Life

Your creative capacity effectively determines the quality of your life. First of all, the success you experience within any segment of your life is based upon the flexibility of thought you utilize to overcome daily life challenges. Secondly, your happiness is a direct reflection of the fulfillment and satisfaction you obtain from attaining your life’s goals and ambitions. So effectively, our success, happiness, fulfillment and living out our true full potential as human beings, builds the groundwork and foundation for the quality of our lives.

Determines Quality of Thinking & Idea Generation

Your creative capacity effectively determines the quality and process of your thinking. Our whole lives are build upon the foundations of idea generation. The more creative we are in coming up with clever ideas that will help us get what we want most in life, the better off we will be. The greater the creative capacity we cultivate and grow within ourselves, the better the ability we will have to expand our understanding and awareness about everything that life throws our way.

Determines What we have Access to

Your creative capacity effectively determines your access to information, opportunities and resources. As we expand our minds and begin thinking outside the box, we start to understand and comprehend things from unique angles and perspectives; that we probably never considered before. As a result, this naturally brings forth into our field of awareness new pieces of information, unexpected realizations and opportunities that were previously hidden from our sensory experience.

Determines Our Intrinsic Ability

Your creative capacity effectively determines your intrinsic ability to learn and effectively overcome problems that confront your daily reality. Because of our “web-like” interacting society, it is easy to understand that people will not always agree, that things will not always go as planned, and that unexpected surprises may be lying behind every corner. Given this, we must learn to adapt and adjust our daily tactics and methods of behavior in ways that will get us what we want despite the challenges and obstacles in our wake. This essentially requires a period of learning and adjustment that can only come through our creative thinking process and capacity. Hence, the more creative we are while tackling our daily life problems and obstacles, the faster we will learn and master the challenges that life throws our way,

Evolution of Creativity through Childhood

Science has shown that we are all indeed born with the capacity to think creatively about the events and circumstances of our lives. However, over time this capacity seems to diminish and decline. Why is that? Are we doing something that naturally pushes our creative expression out of our daily life and interactions with others? Or is it something that is done to us by others? Let’s take a look at this in a little more detail:

Expansion of Creativity through Pre-School

For most of us, pre-school was a place where we predominantly had fun and played games. Yes of course, there was no doubt that it was also a place for learning, however the learning didn’t seem difficult or arduous as we were always entertained and involved within a myriad of clever and unique activities that got our creative juices flowing. We also tended not to suffer from the stress, anxiety and overwhelm that riddles our life experience today. Why is that? Maybe it was because we had a childlike approach to every new sensory learning experience. Or maybe it was the encouragement, support and freedom for creative expression that brought about our stress-free existence.

Decline of Creativity through High School

As we grow older and more mature we progress through to high school where suddenly we find our creative capacity squashed against a wall of criticism, judgment and punishment. One of the biggest drawbacks of our current high school system is in its inability to help students develop and expand on their creative capacity and intellect. Within the high school system students are punished for their mistakes, they are judged for their thinking and processing of information, and they are criticized for their weaknesses. All of this leads to a stressful learning environment that predominantly provides group attention and limits learning to only the visual and auditory sensory organs. Psychological studies have revealed that during pre-school 9 out of every 10 kids show a capacity for creative thought. However, as they progress through to high school, that number drops to 3 out of 10. What in the world is happening to our creative capacity? What are we doing wrong? How are we hurting our kids with our teaching methods? This is a long, deep and thought provoking topic that we may discuss in further detail another time.

Identifying the Creativity Spark

Creativity is something that at times seems so very illusive and out of reach. It is something that can come to us without a moments notice, and yet it can also instantly be lost if not harnessed in the correct manner. We will discuss strategies on how to stimulate creativity a little later on. however for now it is important to become aware of our creative tendencies so that we are better prepared for the messages that they send our way. For starters it is important to understand that creativity comes to all of us in a variety of different ways. For some people it comes as a burst of joy, excitement, inspiration or energy, while for others it may come through a subtle means that is more difficult to recognize. In the end, it doesn’t matter through which methods or mannerisms creativity comes to you, the most important thing is to learn to recognize and understand your body’s patterns of communicating the subtle messages that often get obscured by reality. Many creative ideas are lost before they even have an opportunity to harvest within our minds, because we simply fail to recognize the obscure patterns of their subtle messages. The solution lies hidden within our habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. By learning to watch and observe these subtle patterns, you will naturally condition your body to take notice of the creative messages that are coming your way.

Unlocking Your Creative Genius Mindset

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to journey into the mind of a creative genius?

Creative people have a somewhat unique way of thinking about things that allows their creative intellect to come to the forefront when they need it most. These creative individuals essentially work on cultivating certain characteristics and belief systems within their personality that proactively expand their understanding and awareness of the world around them. They also have a tendency to talk to themselves in a specific manner, that naturally encourages their creativity to expand and evolve as they go about finding solutions for their daily life problems and challenges. Finally, creative people take certain daily steps and actions that help them to expand their ability to think in new and unique ways. This branch of the IQ Matrix will specifically target these areas, helping us to gather a thorough understanding of the workings of a creative mind.

The Characteristics of a Creative Genius

A creative genius naturally cultivates within their personality certain and specific characteristics which are essential to the process of expanding their creative capacity. Let’s take a closer look at this creative mind by breaking down each of these characteristics one step at a time:

Flexibility in Thought, Opinion & Decision

A creative genius is flexible in thought, opinion and decision because creativity requires an open mind that takes many perspectives and opinions into consideration at one time. It is from this information that the creative mind is then able to piece together all of the essential ingredients that are required to bring their unique ideas into the physical world.

Possibility Thinker

A creative genius thinks that everything and anything is possible given enough time, thought and reflection.

Risk Taker

A creative genius naturally takes risks in thought and action, that help them to overcome the challenges they face in surprising and seemingly unexpected ways.

Focused Awareness

A creative genius sets clear goals and objectives that naturally enhance their focus and awareness as they progress along their journey towards manifesting a brilliant idea. Through the act of focus they are better able to direct their minds on the most important thoughts, concepts and ideas that will help them attain their end goal and objective.

Courageous Disposition

A creative genius is courageous in thought and action. Being courageous usually requires breaking the rules while going against orthodox methods of thinking and acting. They understand that the fastest way to a brilliant and unique idea is through the process of going against the grain. This is the philosophy they live by each and every day of their lives.

Imaginative Mind

A creative genius cultivates, grows and expands their imaginative methods of thinking each and every day. They understand that to successfully overcome the problems and challenges in their lives, that they must always be thinking in unique ways from a variety of different angles and perspectives. The creative strategies of brainstorming we will discuss later within this post will help you to get a deeper insight and understanding into this imaginative thought process.

Intuitive Perspective

A creative genius understands that the most brilliant ideas don’t usually come from the conscious mind, but rather from deep within the unconscious recesses of their intuitive mind – which is connected to the collective consciousness of all of humanity that is, was and ever will be.

Playful & Curious Nature

A creative genius has a curious and playful nature which naturally expands their ability to think about events, objects, other people and circumstances in unique and creative ways. They effectively approach every problem from a child-like perspective that is innocent (not constricted or limited by past thoughts and experiences) and reflective (always asking insightful questions about their current circumstances and reality).

Persistent

A creative genius understands that the answers won’t always reveal themselves in the first instance. They acknowledge the fact that it may be some time before the perfect idea comes to mind. As a result they approach each challenge as an unfolding journey of learning and experience that must be tackled in a persistent and patient manner.

Independent

Even though a creative genius takes other people’s ideas and opinions into consideration, they are essentially independent thinkers and doers. Through the process of independence they are in essence able to step away and effectively reflect upon the information they have gathered – from others and the world around them – and piece it together without the external pressure that the average populace experiences. Not being swayed by masses of opinion, allows them to think critically about their problems, thusly attracting better and more insightful solutions that will help them to attain their goals and objectives.

Dedicated

A creative genius is completely dedicated to their outcome. Through a dedicated spirit they are able to get more done in less time and with less effort.

Proactive

A creative genius always makes proactive decisions and takes proactive action. Yes, they can sit on their thoughts and ideas for long periods of time – allowing them to cultivate and grow within their minds. However, once an idea has been effectively crystallized within their mind, they will not hesitate, and will take immediate action to bring their thoughts into the physical world.

The Beliefs Systems of a Creative Genius

A creative genius essentially lives by 3 fundamental belief systems that direct all of their daily habits, thoughts, decisions and actions. These 3 belief systems essentially lay down the groundwork for the personality traits that were discussed above.

Belief in Personal Ability

A creative genius has an unshakable and an undeniable belief in their ability to think creatively and overcome any obstacle or problem that stands in their way.

Belief in a Higher Power

A creative genius believes that there is a higher power, a Godlike figure or energy within the Universe that helps to trigger and stimulate their creative potential. They also believe that this High Power connects all living things and matter into a Collective Consciousness of sorts that each and everyone of us can tap into at any moment in time. They utilize this Collective Consciousness to spark creative ideas and solutions to the problems confronting their reality.

Belief that there is No Failure, Only Feedback

A creative genius wholeheartedly believes that there is NO Failure, ONLY Feedback. Every decision and action has an outcome which brings with it specific consequences that we must learn to live with. If the resulting circumstances lead to negative consequences, than the average person will usually perceives these events as mistakes or failures. However, a creative genius only sees the process of Feedback taking shape. Everything that happens, just provides them with a greater array and variety of feedback to help them better their thinking, decisions and actions as they progress into the future. It took the great inventory Thomas Edison approximately 10,000 individual experiments before he successfully found a method that would make a light-bulb light up for an extended period of time. Throughout the course of his research he saw no failure, but rather only a feedback loop that provided him with a deeper insight and understanding into the process of “How NOT to develop a Light-Bulb”.

How a Creative Genius Talks to themselves

A creative genius has a habitual process of talking to themselves (externally and internally through their thought patterns) that naturally enhances their ability to think creatively under significant amounts of pressure and difficult circumstances.

The Language of Creativity

A creative genius’ language is always optimistic and focused on finding solutions to the challenges that are confronting their present reality. Their language is also very reflective in nature which stimulates deep thought about their present life circumstances. Questions are an essential component here, which we expand upon below.

Questioning Tactics of Creativity

A creative genius utilizes Strategic Questioning Tactics to help them think creatively about events and circumstances. These questions are focused on solutions and they always expand the possibilities of reality. It is ONLY through effective questioning tactics that a creative genius is able to bring forth the necessary creativity that allows them to manifest unique and clever ideas. Here is a typical question a creative genius would normally ask:

How can I get the most from every mistake I make?

The Simple Actions of a Creative Genius

A creative genius takes specific conscious habitual actions throughout their day that naturally enhance their creative thought process. Here is a closer look at some of these patterns of behavior:

Incorporating Journaling & Mind Mapping Tactics

A creative genius enjoys journaling or mind mapping their thoughts, ideas, learnings and experiences as it effectively helps them to trigger new insights and concepts that may not have been evident to them before. They understand that only through the process of turning a thought into a written word or diagram can they effectively take control of the vast amount of ideas that are continuously flowing in and out of their mind.  One of the greatest inventors of all time, Leonardo da Vinci was an avid note taker. He understood that it was very difficult to make sense of his ideas if they weren’t concretely presented on paper and laid out in front of him in a logical manner. It is through this diligent and dedicated process that he brought to life some of his most famous and well known inventions.

Proactive Learning

A creative genius understands that the process of creativity requires the constant and proactive habit of learning from every person, event, circumstance and experience. They diligently take time each day to learn new things and pick up unique perspectives and ideas from other people and their environment. All of these new insights and learnings help them to further expand their creativity and awareness on a daily basis, thusly improving their ability to successfully overcome the obstacles and challenges in unique and far more creative ways.

Process Orientation

A creative genius has an objective or goal in mind at all times, however, they are not fixated on their outcome, instead they focus their energy on the process of creation and the journey of transformation. They meticulously absorb themselves within the present moment or task they are currently working on. All of their thoughts, questions, energy and actions go into improving this process and bringing forth the ideal outcome that is consistent with their goal and objective.

Expanding Lucid Dreaming Ability

A creative genius understands that dreams can unlock doors to magnificent insights and ideas that the conscious mind cannot even comprehend. Moreover, they realize that only through the process of tapping into the unconscious mechanics of their inner mind, can they effectively solve the pressing problems that are confronting their reality. Given the importance of dream mechanics, they have taught themselves the process of Lucid Dreaming to help them tap into the unlimited reservoir of resources and ideas contained within their unconscious mind. We will discuss the process of Lucid Dreaming in a future Mind Map. If you are not familiar with the process of Lucid Dreaming, than please read this article.

Common Roadblocks Sabotaging Creativity

When it comes to stimulating creative thought, it’s sometimes not what you do but rather what you refrain from partaking in that will most heavily influence the creative thinking process. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will discuss some common external and internal roadblocks to creativity. As you read through these roadblocks, identify which ones are most applicable to your present circumstances or frame of mind. Most of them have already, or will be broken down in some length within a future IQ Matrix. However, for the purpose of this discussion let us quickly identify some of these roadblocks to help you better understand the obstacles of creativity that may currently be hindering you along your journey.

External Roadblocks

These are roadblocks that come from the external environment. Let’s take a look at 3 common creativity culprits.

Messy Environment

A messy disorganized environment leads to a messy and disorganized mind. We think with a greater clarity of thought when the environment we work, live and play in is spotless and systematized. In order to spark new creative insights the mind needs to be sharp and focused on only the process of attaining its goal and objective. If the external environment is messy, this leads to an overwhelming amount of sensory distractions that lead to ineffective thinking and unproductive habits.

Too Much Clutter

Clutter is closely intertwined with the previous point. However, the difference with clutter is that it can actually be organized and systematized in a way that improves our effectiveness and work efficiency. Yet, from another perspective, clutter can also become an overwhelming distraction because it forces our minds to work through too much “stuff”, which undermines the creative thinking process. A creative mind must have clarity of thought. It must have the ability to think freely and openly without falling into the web of a cluttered lifestyle and environment. Decide today to clear the clutter from your life, and you will open the doors to new creative insights and ideas.   

Sensory Distractions

A creative mind cannot think in creative ways if all it thinks about are the sensory distractions that get in its way. To enhance your creative output, make sure to remove all sensory distractions from your external environment. Sensory distractions could be people, unnecessary movement of objects, unpleasant smells, sounds, and even inappropriate temperature settings that lead to discomfort and inefficiency of thought. Have a read of Developing Smart Study Habits for further information.

Internal Roadblocks

These are roadblocks that come from internal thoughts, habits and patterns of behavior. Let’s take a look at some of the most common creativity culprits.

Fear of Criticism

We cannot think creatively when we fear that others will criticize us for our thoughts and ideas. Avoid this fear at all costs.

Fear of Making a Mistake

We cannot think creatively when we fear that we will make a mistake. This fear will literally paralyze our process of thinking and therefore lead to hesitancy and doubt, which sabotages the creative thinking process.

Fear of Breaking the Rules

We cannot think creatively when we are afraid of breaking the rules. A creative genius does not worry about standardized rules of thinking, acting or behaving. In fact, they acknowledge and understand that without breaking the rules, they will fail to develop their full creative potential.

The Emotion of Frustration

We cannot think creatively when we are suffering from the emotion of frustration. Frustration informs us that we have the ability to think and do things in a specific way, however due to unexplained circumstances, we cannot seem to get what we want when we want it most. Learn from your frustrations and alter your methods, strategies and tactics in order to help you achieve your desired outcome in quick succession.

The Emotions of Anger

We cannot think creatively when we are suffering from the emotion of anger. In many instances anger manifests as a result of ongoing long-term frustrations that we just cannot seem to overcome. Manage anger through a process of deduction. Simply identify the source of your anger. Next, develop some simple strategies that will help you to better manage and control these objects, people or events. And finally work on logical and tactical methods that will move you forward in a proactive and productive manner. We will discuss the process of managing anger in a future Mind Map.

The Emotion of Overwhelm

We cannot think creatively when we are suffering from the emotion of overwhelm. We become overwhelmed when we are dealing with too many tasks, have too many responsibilities or lack clarity through our thoughts and actions. First of all, take some time to gain clarity on the outcomes that you would like to achieve. Secondly, chunk your tasks and responsibilities down to make them easier to manage, delegate or let go of. And finally, systematize, learn to manage your time more effectively and take timeout to rejuvenate and clarify your thinking in a proactive manner that will help you to stimulate creative thought. We will discuss how to take charge of emotional patterns of behavior in greater depth in a future Mind Map.

Thoughts of Indecision

We cannot think creatively when we are indecisive. Indecision comes from a lack of clarity. Do some research, set some goals and objectives, and gain clarity on the outcome you would like to achieve. Once clarity has been obtained, indecision will tend to wane, and your creativity will flourish. We will discuss the process of Effective Decision Making in a future Mind Map.

Thoughts of Pessimism

We cannot think creatively when we are riddled with pessimistic thoughts. A creative mind constantly thinks about possibilities, solutions, and seemingly improbable answers that help them to break down obstacles and barriers with a string of creative ideas. Work through your pessimistic nature by beginning to focus ONLY on solutions, answers and possibilities to the problems that are currently shaping your reality. We will discuss strategies and tactics on how to cultivate a Positive Mental Attitude in a future Mind Map.

Practical & Logical Thinking

We cannot think creatively if we continue to think about things practically. A practical mind attempts to break down the validity and feasibility of an idea. This tends to stifle and paralyze creative thought, essentially limiting the flow of ideas and inspiration that creativity brings forth into our minds. To move through this roadblock successfully, simply ask yourself possibility questions that will help you to focus on solutions and answers.

Premature Judgment

We cannot think creatively if we persistently judge or jump to quick and rushed conclusions about the ideas that are harvesting within the recesses of our minds. To help you move through this roadblock it is important to remember not make quick judgments or conclusions before having fully allowed an idea to grow and cultivate within your mind.

Following the Rules

We cannot think creatively if we just follow the standardized rules of thinking and doing things. Instead think outside the box, think creatively about every event, object and circumstance in a way that hasn’t been thought of before, and break every rule within the rulebook along your way.

Lack of Belief

We cannot think creatively if we have a lack of belief in our own creative abilities. Your belief systems effectively determine the decisions and actions you make on a daily basis. This is why it is absolutely critical that you work on building an abundant amount of references (personal experiences) that will help you to gain confidence about yourself and your personal ability to be creative at all times. We will discuss methods, tactics and strategies on how to cultivate and develop empowering belief systems in a future Mind Map.

Lack of Confidence

We cannot think creatively if we lack confidence in our ability to bring forth a creative idea. The foundations of confidence effectively evolve from the quality and strength of our belief systems. Transform and grow your belief systems, and they will help you to build the self-confidence you need to unleash your creative potential. Confidence is also closely tied to our self-concept, which we will discuss in further detail in a future Mind Map.

Lack of Inspiration

We cannot think creatively if we suffer from a lack of inspiration. Inspiration comes through us in a variety of unique and individualistic ways. Whether you find inspiration in music, nature, within other people, while watching plants grow, going to the movies, reading a motivational book, or through the simple process of smelling flowers – it simply doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are able to tap and unlock this inspiration within yourself when you need it most, thusly enabling you to stimulate instant creativity. The NLP process of Anchoring is also another great method for stimulating the electricity of inspiration within your body. It basically involves the process of creating an emotional bodily anchor (through the process of touch) that automatically triggers an inspirational state of mind to help stimulate your creative abilities. We will discuss the process of Anchoring in further detail in a future Mind Map.

Lack of a Concrete Vision

We cannot think creatively if we lack clarity about the future outcomes we would like to experience within our reality. This doesn’t mean that we must be meticulously specific about our approach towards obtaining these outcomes. In fact, in order to stimulate more profound creative thought, it is actually recommended that we are flexible with our approach, while at the same time being specific with the outcomes and visions we would like to realize within the physical world.

Lack of Energy

We cannot think creatively if we lack the physical energy to get out of bed in the morning. If you suffer from this unfortunate habit, than have a read of Keys to Creating Abundant Energy.

Simple Strategies that Enhance Creativity

The creative process is a very personal experience. In fact, the creative methods of thinking that work well for one person, may indeed lead to a great deal of frustration for another person. This is why it is so important to develop your own personal style of thinking that will help you to expand on your thoughts and ideas in creative and unique ways. However, if at the moment you do not believe that you are very proficient in expanding your creative processes of awareness, than the following suggestions will hopefully help you to gain a few unique insights and understandings that will encourage you to think creatively. As you are reading through these strategies, be sure to expand upon and restructure these methods in your own unique way. By taking ownership of these strategies you will effectively work through any problem and challenge that confronts your reality with greater proficiency and speed.

Conscious Stimulation of Creativity

As you go about your day it is important to stay focused and centered on your creative visions and objectives. In order to help you with this process, here is a list of some simple methods you can utilize to stimulate your creativity throughout your day:

Day Dreaming

This is a wonderful method of bringing forth creative ideas to the forefront of your mind. Simply write down a question you are seeking an answer to on a piece of paper, then rest back on your chair and close your eyes. Clarify the question within your mind by repeating it over and over again in a variety of ways. After a couple of minutes just settle back and relax without longing for an answer. For the next 20 minutes or so, Just enjoy the pleasant thoughts that flow across your mind like clouds floating through the sky. If you create enough focus and intention, you will usually find that fragments of the answers you are looking for come to you as visions within your mind. Sometimes these visions will be somewhat obscure or metaphorical in nature. However, they will no doubt hold hidden clues to the answers you are seeking.

Pleasant Music

Music that relaxes and calms our mind naturally disarms us and stimulate the natural flow of creative thought. Whenever you seek inspiration, simply remove yourself from all external distractions, close your eyes and play your favorite piece of music. As the music plays, reflect on a pressing question that you seek answers to. Once the question has been posed, just lay back and simply pay attention to the patterns of the music that is absorbing every cell of your being. Believe it or not, you may actually find that your answers will come to you in visions reflected within the music you are listening to.

Laughter

Laughter is a great stimulator of creativity because it essentially relieves stress and the built-up tension that we carry around within our body. Therefore find as many ways as you can to laugh and be happy throughout your day.

Gaining Clarity

If in doubt, your creativity will not sprout. Therefore constantly work on gaining clarity about the outcomes you desire to experience throughout your day. The greater your clarity the more effectively you will think about the events and circumstances within your life, and this will likewise help to stimulate the creative spark within your mind.

Challenging Assumptions

As we go about our day, we tend to make an infinitesimal amount of assumptions about the events and circumstances of our lives. Assumptions that are not questioned or challenged effectively setup roadblocks that prevent us from progressing forward with our lives. The worst part about this, is that we are blinded by many of these roadblocks because we never questioned them in the first place. Hence, begin today by questioning even the most obvious of circumstances, and you will effectively open the doors to a surge of creative energy.

Thinking Like a Child

As previously discussed, children are very inquisitive, and this naturally stimulates a creative flow of energy that they bring forth into their daily actions. In order to keep this creative flow of energy circulating throughout your body, it is important to cultivate a constant and persistent curious nature as you go about your day. This will assist you to overcome the problems and challenges that are confronting your life, and help raise your emotional levels of awareness about the world around you.

Thinking in Metaphors

Metaphors are essentially the windows to the creative mind. Many times we will fail to fully comprehend an idea when it is presented to us in a logical manner. On the other hand, when the idea is articulated within a story focused on metaphorical concepts that are familiar to us, than it is instantly assimilated and understood. This takes practice, however, the more often you think about the problems and challenges within your life from a metaphorical perspective, the greater your capacity for creative thought will be realized.

Thinking in Possibility Questions

As you go about your day you MUST cultivate the habit of thinking in terms of possibilities. The best and most effective way to do this is by repeatedly asking one simple question:

What if…?

Enhancing Creativity Through Strategic Questioning

The problems and challenges we face every single day are nothing more than perspectives of our judgmental minds. They are only problems because we do not yet perceive them as being anything else. They are in fact overwhelming aspects of our lives, because we feel as though we lack control, the willpower and skill to deal with them in an effective manner. However, what most of us probably don’t realize is that our problems can easily be overcome if we just learn to ask ourselves the right kinds of questions that will expand our understanding and awareness about the problem from a variety of different angles and perspectives. We must essentially obtain a full 360 degree overview of the problem before unleashing our creative juices. This process involves a 3 pronged attack that we briefly discuss below:

Identification Questions

These questions help identify the circumstances of the problem, which help you to see it from a variety of different angles and perspectives. Here you would essentially ask Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? questions to assist you in identifying the circumstances and events that created the problem.

Time Specific Questions

These questions help identify the Time Specific effect of the problem. They essentially delve into the Past? Present? and Future? impact of the problem under question. The more thorough of an understanding we have about the Time Specific circumstances and impact of the problem, the more creatively and effectively we will be able to manage it.

Awareness Questions

These questions help to identify the personal impact that the problem has upon the individual – given the skills, resources, and tools that the individual has at their disposal. The questions focus on the Spiritual? Mental? Emotional? and Physical? impact of the problem under question. When we have a comprehensive understanding of the problem’s impact on our “being” – given everything we have at our disposal – than we will be better prepared to clear the path for the creative solutions that must follow.

Once you have completed this Strategic Questioning Process, you are finally ready to take the plunge into the Creative Cycle which we discuss below.

The Creativity Cycle

The following is a quick summary of a recommended process of creativity that will help you unlock a deep reservoir of creative ideas:

Settlement Phase

In order to bring forth creative inspiration, your first objective is to settle yourself within a motivational and relaxing environment that naturally stimulates the creative thought process. For further insights and ideas on how to create this environment, have a read of Developing Smart Study Habits.

Rejuvenation Phase

Once you are settled and relaxed within your creative environment, you must now close your eyes and bring forth into your mind past creative successes and achievements that will help inspire and put you into a state of “creation”. The greater the emotional intensity you bring forth here, the more inspiring the surge of creative energy you will feel expanding outwards from your body.

Creation Phase

At this point you are now ready to apply some of the creative strategies we will discuss below in order to bring forth unique, ingenious and brilliant ideas that will spark instant creativity. It is important here not to judge the concepts that you bring forth into your mind. Instead become a possibility thinker who persistently expands upon their ideas in many surprising and unexpected ways. Take out a piece of paper and mind map the creative visions that are forming within the recesses of your mind.

Synchronization Phase

Having already conceptualized some brilliant ideas, you are now ready to draw out a plan of how you will bring these ideas into the physical world. Begin now by thinking logically about your thoughts and ideas in ways that will help you to make sense of them in the real world. This stage essentially involves drawing up a plan of action that will help you to implement your ideas with great proficiency within the final stage of the Creativity Cycle.

Implementation Phase

Having conceptualized an idea and drawn up a plan of action, you are now ready to take the necessary steps that will help you to bring your ideas into the physical world. In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your plan, it is important that you stick to a flexible approach and constantly expands your thinking and awareness about the possibilities and opportunities that you could take advantage of at any moment in time. For more information, please read Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within IQ Matrix.

The SCRAMPER Technique of Creative Thought

SCRAMPER is a creative problem solving technique that will help you ignite new insights and ideas about the daily challenges and obstacles you face. This post will only provide you with an introduction to this process. If you seek further insights into this technique than please have a read of Creative Problem Solving with SCAMPER. Luciano has put together a very thorough analysis of this technique. As a bonus he is also giving away a free downloadable reference Mind Map and provides a link to an online questioning strategy tool that will help you overcome your daily life problems and challenges.

Before proceeding with this method of creative thinking, bring to mind a problem that is currently causing you a little difficulty. As you read the questions one at a time, keep in mind that your goal is to stimulate creative thought, new insights and understandings that will assist you to view the problem from a unique angle and perspective. Every step of the SCRAMPER technique will bring to light some intriguing solutions that you must further develop and expand upon in order to attain the outcome you are after. Hence it is paramount that you do not stop at this technique, but rather utilize all the strategies discussed up to this point.

Substitute

Here your creative goal and objective is to replace a part of your problem with something else. You can effectively change things, places, people, ideas or even your emotions. Each and everyone of these “substitutions” will effectively provide you with a new insight and understanding that will help you reach an effective and creative solution to your problem. Here are some questions you may like to ask:

How can I replace or change the parts of this problem with something that will best help me attain my desired outcome? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can I somehow replace the people involved within this problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can the rules be changed in someway in order to make this work? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can I change my feelings and attitude towards this problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

Combine

Here your creative goal and objective is to combine different aspects of the problem in a unique and imaginative way that will help you to effectively solve the dilemma that is confronting your reality. The key here is combining seemingly unrelated ideas and concepts with the problem under question. Here are some questions you might like to ask:

What ideas or parts of this problem could I potentially combine? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can I shift and combine different aspects of this problem in a way that will provide me with a solution? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can I merge this problem with other objects in a way that will provide me with a solution? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

Random Input

(This is an addition to the standard SCAMPER process) Here your creative goal and objective is to essentially input random attributes of other objects, circumstances or problems in order to reach an effective creative solution. Here are some questions you might like to ask:

How can I utilize the attributes of a newspaper (or any other object, circumstance, problem or person) to efficiently solve this problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

As an example, a newspaper has the following attributes: has a large area, is printed, is flexible, is made up of separate pieces, is soft, light and porous. Now, your goal is to take each of these attributes and randomly input them into your problem. Remember that your outcome is to stimulate creative thought, it’s about finding an effective solution at this moment. Moreover, you have to keep in mind that as you move through this SCRAMPER technique that it’s not one single idea that will lead you to a solution, but rather a combination of ideas that will spark the answers you need, to overcome this problem successfully.

How would I effectively deal with this problem if it was larger than I initially expected?

How would I effectively deal with this problem if it was flexible in nature?

How would I effectively deal with this problem if it was made up of separate bits and pieces? etc…

Adapt

Here your creative goal and objective is to adapt an existing idea in such a way that it will help you to successfully solve your problem. Here are some questions you might like to ask:

What else is like this? How could I use it? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

Is there something similar to my problem, but in a different context?

What solutions does the past bring to light about the current problem?

What could I copy, borrow or steal from other approaches that were made in an attempt to solve this problem? – these approaches individually may not have worked. However if you combine a few of them together you may be surprised by the results.

Whose characteristics, strategy and methods could I model or emulate in order to successfully overcome this problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

Magnify

Here your creative goal and objective is to figure out ways you could effectively magnify or exaggerate your problem in a way that could potentially bring to light some weaknesses or unique insights and perspectives. Here are some questions you might like to ask:

How can I magnify and make this problem larger? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can I exaggerate and overstate the problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How can I increase the frequency of this problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem? What hidden solutions may this bring to light?

How can I duplicate this problem in another area of my life? - the process of duplication may bring to light some amazing insights as you try and replicate the “creation process” that initially triggered the problem.

Put to Other Uses

Here your creative goal and objective is to see how you could potentially put the problem to other uses from alternative perspectives. Here are some questions you might like to ask:

How can I utilize this problem to my advantage in order to bring forth an effective solution? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

How would a child effectively approach this problem? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

What other potential perspectives could exist that would provide me with effective solutions?

Eliminate

Here your creative goal and objective is to eliminate or minimize different parts of the problem. Here are some questions you might like to ask:

How can I simplify this problem right down to its basic skeletal structure? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

What parts of the problem can I control and effectively remove or eliminate altogether? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem? Could it lead to a solution?

Rearrange

Here your creative goal and objective is to rearrange your problem in such a way that effectively spins the problem on its head and provides you with a unique and different perspective.  Here are some questions you might like to ask:

How can I rearrange the problem in such a way that I successfully minimize its negative consequences? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

Can I change the speed, time, or location of this problem in order to successfully minimize its negative consequences? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

What potential solutions come to light if I viewed the problem back-to-front? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

What potential ingenious solutions could I bring to light if I did the exact opposite of what I thought? What effect would that have? How would it effectively transform my perspective about the problem?

Final Thoughts

From an outsiders perspective, creativity can seem like an omnipotent ability that is somewhat mystical in nature. The great thinkers of this world make it seem so easy and natural as they go about their daily lives bringing seemingly impossible concepts into physical reality. Yet there is a lot more to creativity than at first meets the eye. It is effectively a habitual process of thought and reflection about the world, that brings to light new learnings, perspectives and understandings. It is also a structured process of ongoing development, that is at the same time very flexible in its nature. And yet it is simply a “process”, that can be learned, mastered, and perfected.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have utilized any of these creative thinking strategies, or would like to share some of your own, than please feel free to comment below.

Spotlight on the MasterMind Matrix

The process of Creative Problems Solving is an important and indispensable component of the MasterMind Matrix.

[ View Larger Image ]

The MasterMind Matrix is a Psychological Chart of Personal Success and Achievement. It is used as an effective Self-Coaching tool that will help guide you through the personal obstacles, setbacks and limitations that may stand in your way as you progress towards the attainment of your goals and objectives in the field of academics, business, career, sports, or life in general.

Each IQ Matrix Mind Map that is available through this website represents a single cell fragment of the MasterMind Matrix. For more information and images, visit the MasterMind Matrix page.

Edward de Bono’s Thoughts on Creativity

Click here to view the embedded video.

Free Articles & Online Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding about this topic:

• Your Creative Genius Mindset: The Essential Qualities for Outside the Box Thinking @ Lifehack
• Creative Problem Solving with SCAMPER @ Litemind
• 8 Ways to Spark Your Creativity @ Positivity Blog
• 5 Creativity Videos on YouTube @ Abundance Blog
• Remove Your 10 Blocks to Creativity @ Attraction Mind Map
• The 3 Pillars of Creativity @ Change Your Thoughts
• How to Create Ideas – Lessons from Idea Generators @ Life Optimizer
• 25 Audacious Creativity Tools @ Abundance Blog
• 6 Powerful Tools to Breakdown Your Idea Brick Walls @ Life Optimizer
• 9 Lessons Richard Feynman Taught Us About Creativity @ Life Optimizer
• 20 Tips for Accelerating a Creative Flow @ Scott H Young
• 21 Not So Quick Tips to Improve Creativity @ Scott H Young
• 20 Creative Thinking Techniques @ Abundance Blog
• 30 Tips to Rejuvenate Your Creativity @ Lifehack
• 4 Steps to Unleash Your Creative Genius @ The Change Blog
• Think Like a Genius @ ZME Life Tips
• 75 Creativity Quotes @ Abundance Blog
• 10 Imaginative Ways to Pump Your Mind for Ideas @ Cultivate Greatness
• How to be More Creative at Work the Homer Simpson Way @ The Daily Mind
• 45 Unforgettable Quotes about Ideas @ I Need Motivation
• 22 Great Quotes on Curiosity @ I Need Motivation
• How to be More Creative @ Illuminated Mind
• 10 Ways to Develop Your Creativity @ Schaefer’s Blog
• Develop Your Creative Genius with Tony Buzan’s Advice @ Personal Development
• 18 Ways to be Uber Creative @ Abundance Blog
• 30 Ways to Increase Your Creativity @ Abundance Blog
• 10 Great Ways to Jump-start Your Creativity @ Dumb Little Map
• 30 Creativity Cards: A Gift I Made for You @ Abundance Blog
• The Secret of Unbridled Creativity @ Abundance Blog
• 16 Top Tips for Awakening Creativity & Innovation @ Urban Monk
• 5 Imaginative Ways to Generate Ideas @ Abundance Blog
• Lateral Thinking: Think Out of the Box @ Abundance Blog
• The Powerful Link Between Creativity & Play @ I Need Motivation
• Creative Thinking Techniques: The Playful Edition @ Abundance Blog
• 100 Powerful Web Tools to Organize Your Thoughts & Ideas @ Online College Blog
• A Simple Tip for Finding Good Ideas @ Life Optimizer
• The Power of Curiosity @ Scott H. Young
• 101 Creativity Innovation Books: Your Creativity Library @ Abundance Blog

Recommended Products

Mind Dynamics – For the executive, manager, programmer, salesperson, student, teacher, administrator, artist, laborer, housewife or househusband – no matter what you do or who you are – Mind Dynamics is a program that can help you achieve your deepest aspirations. It contains time-tested techniques that will lead you to results that seem magical. As Sidney says, “You will make the impossible possible, you will make the unattainable attainable, and you will even make the unbelievable believable, effectively unlocking your creative genius potential.

Jump Start Your Brain! – Perhaps it’s time to awaken the dormant creative spirit that lies within you! In his powerhouse program Jump Start Your Brain! 50,000 Volts of Ideas for Cranking Your Cranium and Turning Your Dreams Into Reality, Doug Hall takes you on a fascinating adventure. A journey in which your brainpower is not only awakened, but is enhanced. His counterculture approach to creativity urges you to break through existing stagnating rules with childlike abandonment – and have fun doing it.

Recommended Books

• Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius by Michael Michalko
• Creativity in the Classroom: Schools of Curious Delight by Alane Jordan Starko
• The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life by John Daido Loori
• Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko
• Creativity Revealed: Discover the Source of Inspiration by Scott Jeffrey

If you would like to download a copy of this IQ Matrix, it is available from the IQ Matrix Shop.

| Buy Poster | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Introduction

The questions we ask ourselves on a daily basis could very well be the most critical and important factors determining our ongoing success, happiness and fulfillment in life. In fact, the questions that we persistently dwell upon intrinsically influence our thoughts, habits, decisions and actions in insurmountable ways that are simply beyond our conscious levels of comprehension and understanding. Because our questions are so tightly bound to our physical realities, they can almost instantly transform and take our lives from one end of the spectrum to the other in the blink of an eye. Their somewhat magical, mysterious, and supernatural powers have perplexed the human mind for thousands of years. How is it that seemingly insurmountable problems are suddenly overcome? How is it that one person eases through the obstacles in their life, while another person suffering the same challenges, cannot seem to dig themselves out of a hole? Yes, questions are mysterious blessings, yet at the same time they can be deadly precursors to a life of misery and heartache.

The Strategic Life Questioning Tactics IQ Matrix will help unlock some of the fundamental keys of questioning that can dramatically transform our lives for the better. We will first get an overview of the questioning process, it’s purpose, benefits and outcomes as they relate to life. Secondly, we will breakdown the two Questioning Habitual Patterns that will either lead us to a life of fulfillment or a life of unrealized potential. Finally, we will finish off our discussion by taking a closer look at some effective questioning strategies that you can utilize immediately to help you overcome the obstacles and challenges that are confronting your life.

This article post is part of an Effective Thinking Series of IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are designed to help you successfully deal with the problems and challenges confronting your daily life reality. Topics within this series include:

• Part 1: Strategic Life Questioning Tactics
• Part 2: Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential
• Part 3: Awaken Your Problem Solver from Within
• Part 4: Becoming an Outstanding Critical Thinker
• Part 5: 6 Thinking Hats: Solving Life’s Complex Problems

Benefits & Purpose of Inspired Questions

Our questions could very well be the most powerful, motivating – while equally de-motivating – factors influencing our daily decisions and actions. In fact their influence over our lives is so profound that our entire thought process is completely and consistently absorbed and overwhelmed with the habit of asking and answering repetitive questions. If you simply take a moment to reflect on this statement, you will come to the realization that the vast majority of your day is actually spent on the process of asking questions. Whether this involves asking yourself what you will eat for lunch, what time you should get out of bed, what you must or mustn’t tell your boss, or why you are suddenly feeling like a stale fish – the questions simply roll across the recesses of our minds like clouds floating against the sky. All of this just makes you think:

“If I am continuously asking questions all day long, everyday of my life, could it just be remotely possible that where I am in my life at this very moment, is somewhat a direct reflection of the questions I have asked myself over a lifetime of thinking?”

Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will delve into the intrinsic purpose of our habitual questioning tactics. We will explore not only the extraordinary impact of our questions, but also identify how they influence our lives from every angle and perspective. Let’s get started by taking a look at the actual purpose of our questions and delving into the intricacies of their life transforming nature:

The Purpose of Strategically Inspired Questions

Our questions are far more than just a few words jumbled together with a question mark at the end. They in fact have a deep and meaningful purpose that helps to alter our psychology and life in a number of seemingly small and insignificant ways. It is only once we are able to understand and acknowledge their purpose, that we are finally able to take advantage of the opportunities that they present us with.

Helps Alter Perspective & Life Experience

Our questions help alter the perspective of the world around us. These questions essentially color how we view ourselves, others, objects, events and circumstances in ways that help us to see things in a new light and from a unique and different angle. If you ask resourceful, optimistic and solution focused questions, they will expand your perspective and awareness of the possibilities that are available to you at any one moment in time. On the other hand, if you ask questions that are focused on problems and things that you do not want in your life, than they will likewise present you with more of what you are asking for – problems, headaches, ongoing stress and anguish.

Turn On Your Question Barometer…

If you find that your perspective of the world around you is suddenly being limited or constricted in anyway, than immediately angle and phrase your questions by using methods that will help you to expand your perspective about yourself, others and the circumstances of your life; thusly helping you identify a greater array of opportunities that can move your life forward in immeasurable ways.

Helps Alter Emotional State

The questions we ask are intrinsically connected to the emotions that we experience on an ongoing basis throughout our day. If your questions are unresourceful and focused on problems, than this will put you into a negative frame of mind, which will likewise lead to pessimistic emotions of stress, anguish, worry, fear, anger and more. On the other hand, if you focus on questions that allow you to expand the possibilities of your current predicament or situation, than you will find that your emotions will tend to expand in positive ways into the realm of curiosity, excitement, enthusiasm, and intrigue. We will discuss how to take charge of your emotional state in a future Mind Map.

Turn On Your Question Barometer…

Keep a psychological check on the impact that your daily questioning habits have on your emotional states. If you feel as though you have suddenly hit an emotional brick wall, immediately stop yourself and ask a new set of questions that will instantly trigger positive emotions.

Helps Alter Physiological State

Our emotional states are intrinsically connected to our physiological bodies. This means that if you ask unresourceful questions focused on problems, you will essentially experience a change in your physiology that will likewise trigger negative emotions of an unresourceful nature. On the other hand, questions that are angled towards solutions and potential opportunities will put your body into a resourceful state, which will therefore provide you with the emotional support you need to move you through the challenges and obstacles that are currently confronting your life experience. We will discuss specific strategies on how to alter your physiological state in a future Mind Map.

Turn On Your Question Barometer…

Keep a check on your physiology as you move through your day. The moment you notice your physiology sink into a unresourceful state, immediately ask solution focused questions that will help you to break out of this slump.

Helps Alter What we Focus On

Many people have an unconscious habit of asking questions about things that they don’t want in their life. Because they persistently ask these types questions, this naturally focuses their mind on these “unwanted” objects, people, circumstances and events. They simply don’t understand that the persistent questions they ask, focus and direct their mind on the things they ask about. On the other hand, if we develop the habit of only asking questions about the things we want in our lives (emotions we want to feel, things we want to experience, solutions we want to bring to fruition, etc), than we will likewise experience that reality as we go about our daily decisions and actions.

Turn On Your Question Barometer…

The moment you catch yourself focusing on the things that you do not want in your life, immediately ask a different question that will help you direct your mind on the things that you DO WANT to have and experience within your reality.

Helps Alter What We Consciously Delete

By asking a certain type of question, we essentially block out and delete anything within the external environment that is not consistent with the answers we seek. This means, that if you ask a question that’s focused on exacerbating a problem, than as a result, it is very likely that you will be completely blinded to the solutions that are seemingly within your reach. It is important to understand that your brain will help you delete everything that does not fit your current direction, objectives and goals. And it is the questions you ask that essentially determine these principles. On the other hand, if you ask solution focused questions, this will likewise delete everything from your experience that would exacerbate the problem.

Turn On Your Question Barometer…

The moment you catch yourself focusing on a problem that just seems to be expanding and growing within your reality, immediately stop yourself and turn your focus and attention on the solution. Ask better and more insightful questions that only focus on the solution to this problem. The more attention you give to finding a solution, the greater amount of resources you will draw – from yourself and the external world – to successfully find the answers you are searching for.

Strengthens Weak Belief Systems

Our belief systems are very important in helping us make insightful decisions that lead to decisive action. However, if you are finding that your decisions and actions are somewhat hesitant in nature, than it could very well signify a set of weak belief systems that are currently directing your behavior. One of the best ways to strengthen weak belief systems is to ask a set of effective questions that will bring about a wave of new confidence, thusly helping you to move through them in positive ways. Your beliefs are weak because they have very few resources and references tied to them. Questions will help you to strengthen these references and attract the resources you need to turn your weak beliefs into empowering action oriented convictions. We won’t discuss this topic any further here, as we will dedicate an entire IQ Matrix to the process of developing empowering beliefs and convictions in a future post.

The Quality of the Questions You Ask is Critical

The quality of the questions we consistently ask on a daily basis has an incredibly profound impact on our lives. In fact, where we are in our lives at this very moment, is very much a direct reflection of the questions we have habitually and unconsciously asked ourselves over time. If you are not happy or fulfilled with one or more areas of your life, than it could very well result from a limiting set of questions that you have been asking yourself over the past few weeks, months and years – which have created your current life predicament and circumstances. The first key here is to acknowledge your current life circumstances and to identify the habitual unconscious questions that have brought you to this point in your life. The second key brings forth a solution in the form of a new set of empowering questions that you will instigate into your life from this day forward. However, more about this a little later. For now, let’s take a closer look at the profound impact that daily habitual questions have on our lives:

Determines What We Gain Access to

Your daily habitual questions effectively determine your access to critical resources and opportunities that can help to move your life forward. Because our questions help expand our awareness and understanding of ourselves and the world around us, they also effectively help us gain a unique perspective about objects, people and the circumstances that are currently confronting our reality. Through this perspective and awareness we are better able to pinpoint and recognize the opportunities and resources that we will need to help us move forward in our lives. Hence, if you ask the right questions, you will gain access to these opportunities and resources. If on the other hand you neglect to ask an effective set of questions, than you will simply fail to recognize the resources and opportunities that can help you overcome the problems and challenges confronting your life.

Determines Our Ability & Potential

The habitual questions you ask yourself on a daily basis effectively determine your intelligence, creativity, ability to solve problems and reach your potential as a productive human being. However, for the purpose of this discussion it is important to realize that the more effective you become at asking consistent high quality questions – focused on solutions and expanding possibilities – than the more of your potential you will effectively tap into, and the greater success you will experience in any field of endeavor. Therefore, if you feel that for some reason you are not living out your true potential, than it could very signify that you need to improve your habitual questioning patterns of behavior. The rest of this post will help you to move in that direction.

Determines Our Ongoing Happiness

We discussed a little earlier on that the questions we ask ourselves can effectively alter our emotional states. Given that this is true, it just makes sense that our ongoing happiness in life is therefore also determined by the habitual questions we decide to ask ourselves on a daily basis. So if you are not happy with any aspect of your life, than decide today to transform the questions you are persistently asking. Focus your questions on things that you want in your life, rather than things that bring you sadness, stress and anguish.

Determines Our Overall Success

Finally, given everything that we have discussed thus far, it makes perfect sense that the quality of questions we persistently ask throughout our days, effectively determines our success in life, love, career, school as well as the level of income we are currently experiencing. Therefore it’s probably true what they say… “the quality of our questions determines the quality of our life“.

Strengthening & Weakening Question Types

There are essentially two types of questions that we can choose to ask ourselves on a daily basis. The first category of questions – living in the “WHY” world – weaken our ability to think effectively, thusly tending to close the doors to opportunity, while at the same time making us feel inadequate and incapable. The second category of questions – living in the “HOW” & “WHAT” world – help to strengthen our resolve, willpower and persistent nature, thusly opening the doors to a myriad of new opportunities and avenues for growth and learning. Each of these two categories is positioned at opposite ends of the question spectrum. This is important to understand, because where you decide to plant your thoughts along this spectrum, will essentially determine what you will have, accomplish, experience, feel, and how you will essentially live out the remainder of your life.

Let’s now take a deeper look at the two “question types” and breakdown the dramatic “polar opposite” psychological impact that they can have on our unprepared minds.

The Facts about “Weakening” WHY Questions

WHY questions are essentially questions that make us feel sorry for ourselves, our predicament and circumstances. They are questions that seek sympathy from others; coming from a state of Hope and Weakness – they seem to bring about unending sorrow and misery that locks the mind away into a state of chaos that has very little structure and form. Under no circumstances should you ever partake in the habit of asking useless WHY questions that will break your spirit and paralyze your motivations. Here are some WHY question examples you must avoid at all costs, however before reading them, first realize and understand that you will always find answers to the questions you consistently and persistently ask yourself on a daily basis…

Why does life always seem to be working against me?

Why do I have such rotten luck?

Why should I even try?

Why am I so inadequate and incapable?

Why does this always happen to me?

Why does my life stink so much?

Why do I always do such dumb things?

WHY Questions are Loop Questions

They are known as LOOP questions because they tend to wrap us up within a cycle of excuses, blame and problems that never seems to end. It just makes sense, that when we are constantly focused on the things that we do not want in our lives, that these things will just tend to grow and expand within our physical reality. When it comes to asking WHY questions, this could not be further from the truth.

WHY Questions lead to Blaming

Asking too many WHY questions will naturally lead to blaming of self, others, objects, events and the circumstances within one’s life. When we sink into the habit of blame, we become very unproductive and unresourceful from many different angles and perspectives, and this likewise leads to an ever expanding “LOOP cycle” of blame that causes destruction and mayhem in our lives.

WHY Questions lead to Limitations

Because WHY questions are focused on the process of “feeling sorry for ourselves”, it’s just natural for this type of behavior to limit access to the opportunities, support and resources that are available to us. Have another read through the WHY questions presented above, and ask yourself whether a person utilizing this type of language has any hope of ever taking advantage of the opportunities, support and resources that are made available to them at any one moment in time.

WHY Questions lead to Problems

WHY questions are specifically focused on the things that we do not want in our lives. These “things” are effectively labeled as problems that stand in our way towards achieving the happiness we desire to experience in our lives. The more WHY questions we ask, the deeper we sink into the mentality of focusing on the potential problems that just seem overwhelming and out of our control.

WHY Questions lead to Excuses

The deeper we sink into the intricacies of our life’s problems, the more reasons and excuses we find for our predicaments. It is important to understand that our excuses are not solutions, they are rather rationalizations that make us feel better about the problems confronting our current life reality. In many instances our excuses can actually make us feel better, and therefore help us to effectively live in harmony with our problems for short sporadic periods of time. However, over the long-term, excuses build up and give birth to the deadly emotions of anger and depression, which can literally eat us alive from the inside-out.

WHY Questions lead to Doubt Creation

Asking WHY questions naturally creates doubt in our minds about our ability, intelligence, creativity, skills, etc. And the more doubt we manifest, the more WHY questions we tend to ask in order to try and rationalize these feelings of uncertainty that live in the pit of our stomachs. Doubt is a sabotaging force that can trigger many unresourceful emotions that will keep you within a powerless hesitant state where very little ever gets accomplished. Avoid it at all costs by minimizing the WHYS in your life.

Strengthening Your HOW & WHAT Questions

On the opposite end of the spectrum we have the HOW and WHAT questioning process that will help us to overcome any obstacle and challenge that confronts us. These types of questions will bring forth a psychological perspective that will help you to breakdown the barriers that are standing between you and your objectives. They are also known as “strengthening questions” because of their ability to expand our thinking, awareness and strength of character.

HOW Question Examples

Here are some HOW question examples you can utilize to help you overcome the obstacles and challenges confronting your life:

How can I do this smarter?

How can I make this better?

How can I successfully overcome this?

How can I think outside the box here?

How can I make this mine despite the odds?

WHAT Question Examples

Here are some WHAT question examples you can utilize to help you overcome the obstacles and challenges confronting your life:

What can I do to turn this around?

What is the hidden opportunity here that I am not seeing?

What is great about this situation that I hadn’t noticed?

What is the best solution here?

What is it about this that can make me stronger?

Help Focus on Solutions

Because of their very nature, HOW and WHAT questions naturally focus our minds on “problem solving thinking strategies” that help to expand the possibilities and find solutions to the challenges that are currently confronting our lives. To help you though this, always direct your mind on What You Want, and ask effective questions that will bring What You Want into your life.

Help Focus on Goals & Objectives

Because these questions are focused on solutions, they will therefore help you to focus and direct your thoughts towards the goals and objectives you are seeking to obtain through your daily undertakings. To help you through this, you must persistently direct your mind on asking questions that will focus you on a myriad of methods and strategies you can utilize to assist you in achieving your goals in the most effective and efficient manner.

Help Expand Creativity

Creativity comes through the process of asking solution focused questions, that expand our perspective and awareness about a specific problem or challenge that is confronting us. To help you through this, always begin by thinking outside the box, looking at unorthodox strategies and methods that seem somewhat bizarre or unnatural. Once you have crystallized an idea, ask of it as many HOW and WHAT questions that will help you to expand it’s possibilities into seemingly unexpected directions. For more information, please read Unlocking Your Creative Genius Potential IQ Matrix.

Help Improve Proactive Action

WHAT and HOW questions help to expand our thinking by focusing us on the outcomes and results we would like to bring forth into our lives. This naturally stimulates and triggers a wave of positive emotions within our body and mind that leads to higher levels of motivation – which likewise inspires proactive action. To help you through this, constantly ask yourself questions focused on how you will feel once you have accomplished a task. Actually take time to physically acknowledge the benefits and perks that you will experience once your goals and objectives have been successfully attained. Finally, it’s also helpful to ask yourself questions that will assist you in finding enjoyment along your journey towards your goals and objectives.

Help Inspire Responsibility for Actions & Results

Because HOW and WHAT questions are solution based, they tend not to trigger the excuses, blame and doubt that typical WHY questions bring forth into our psyche. As a result these types of questions will naturally bring forth a sense of responsibility and accountability for all the actions and decisions you make. To help you through this, always focus your attention on asking questions that will help you find reasons HOW to make things work, despite the circumstances or the mistakes that might have been made.

Help Transform Limiting Habits

Our limiting unconscious habits can often sabotage our decisions and actions in unexpected ways. The first step that will help us to overcome these habits lies in the process of awareness. We must become aware of these limiting habits first and foremost before we are able to successfully overcome and transform them. There are essentially a myriad of strategies and tools that we could utilize in order to help break old worn out patterns of behavior, and this is why we will dedicate an entire IQ Matrix to habit creation and transformation in a future post. For the purpose of this discussion it is important to reflect on the power of our questions, and on the ability they have to dramatically transform our patterns of behavior. To help you through this; once you have identified a limiting habit, utilize WHAT and HOW questions – focused on solutions and possibilities – that will help you to breakout of the limiting patterns of this behavior. The more effective “solution centered” questions you ask of this limiting habit, the greater sense of confidence you will muster within yourself to successfully overcome this psychological roadblock. However, it is important to understand that you must seek answers, and not just fall into the habit of asking repetitive questions.

Help Expand Opportunities

Solution focused questions of this nature naturally help to expand the opportunities that are available to us at any given moment in time. When you are asking questions that focus on breaking down the obstacles along your path – directing your attention on the possibilities that lie within every circumstance – or curiously seeking to find solutions for unanswered questions – this will naturally open the doors to new insights, ideas and understandings that will help bring forth opportunities into your life that were simply not accessible before. To help you through this, you must come to the realization that no matter how grim the circumstances of your life may seem at this very moment, that you must Never Give Up on the potential opportunities that are hiding around the every corner. Opportunities are essentially based on perspective. What one person sees as an opportunity, another person sees as the End of the World. Begin today by shifting your frame of mind in a way that will help you to ask better and higher quality questions, thusly expanding your current perspectives about the state of reality.  

Overcoming Obstacles in Life with Questions

There is no doubt, that a strategic and purposeful use of questions can lead to great success, fulfillment and happiness in life. In fact questions are essentially the intellectual outcroppings of our thoughts that help us to breakdown problems and overcome some of life’s toughest challenges. A question within itself is not creative in nature, it is rather utilized as a catalyst that helps stimulate creative thought – further enhancing our abilities to overcome the problems and setbacks that confront our daily realities. Within this branch of the IQ Matrix we will delve into some simple, yet very effective questioning tactics we can utilize to overcome the obstacles and challenges that otherwise could get the better of us.

24/7 Solution Focused Questions

As you go about your daily activities it is important to keep your mind sharp, alert and focused on the solutions that could potentially help you to overcome the problems and pitfalls that life can throw your way. To do this, you must “zero in” on a set number of effective questions that will help stimulate creative thought, while expanding your problem solving skills and abilities. There are in essence literally dozens of questions that can be utilized here. However, for the purpose of this discussion, here are two very effective questions that will do the job just right:

What is great about this? – No matter how grim or dire the circumstances may at first appear to be, this question focuses your mind on the positive outcomes you are seeking to attain.

How can I best use this to my advantage? – This question focuses your mind on the possible solutions while expanding your awareness of the potential opportunities that could be hiding around the corner. You are effectively brainstorming methods for turning lemons into lemonade.

The Question Process for Overcoming Every Obstacle

If you need a little extra leverage to help you overcome the obstacles in your life successfully, than you might find it helpful to utilize the following 4 Pronged Question Attack method for overcoming problems:

Possibility Question – “What if I can make this work?” – This question enhances confidence and expands your thinking, focus and awareness about the potential solutions that could help you overcome this problem.

Necessity Question – “What must I now do to make this happen?” – This question stimulates your creativity and problem solving ability to help you work through the possible solutions to your predicament.

Reducing Resistance Question – “What do I choose to do?“ – Sometimes we tend to be somewhat reluctant to take the necessary steps that will bring our thoughts and ideas into fruition. By deciding what you will “choose to do”, instead of what you “must do”, will effectively help you to draw up a plan of action that isn’t tinged with hesitancy and resistance. If this does not work, and you require further guidelines and suggestions to help motivate yourself into action, than have a read through the “Procrastination to Instant Motivation” IQ Matrix.

Mismatching Question – “What if it doesn’t work?“ – The purpose of this question is twofold. First, it helps you identify and prepare for the possible challenges and setbacks that may lie along your journey. While at the same time, helping to expand the confidence and flexibility of thought you will need in order to overcome this challenge successfully.

Once you have moved through and answered the Mismatch question, you would once again cycle through the 4 Pronged Question Attack method until you are happy and confident that you can achieve your outcome.

Questioning Your Questions

If after undergoing the above two questioning tactics you are still unable to overcome your problems successfully, than you might like to try questioning your questions. Sometimes we simply cannot find the right answers that will help us move past obstacles because we fail to ask the right questions in the first place. If all else fails, work your way through the following set of questions:

Am I asking the right questions?

What’s the most useful question I can ask that will help me to overcome this problem successfully?

What’s the most useful question I can ask that will help me unlock new insights, ideas, solutions and opportunities that I am not seeing at this very moment?

The Process of Finding Insightful Answers

Knowing what questions to ask only takes you halfway. The second half of the process involves knowing how to find the answers that will bring forth effective solutions to your quality questions. This process requires the following elements:

Emotional Intensity

The greater the commitment and emotional intensity behind the questions you ask, the more readily and quickly the answers will come to you.

Focus

The more you focus on and absorb your whole mind, body and spirit into the process of finding the answers you seek, the more readily and quickly the answers will come to you.

Expectancy

The greater the sense of expectation you create around your questions, the more readily and quickly the answers will come to you.

Awareness

Our answers come to us in many shapes and forms as we go about our daily activities. Many times these answers will be very obscure and may not be immediately evident at first glance. However, through closer inspection you may realize that the answer is far more obvious than you ever imagined. Hence, the more attention you give to the intricate dynamics of the world around you, the more readily and quickly the answers will come to you.

Persistence & Patience

In the end, it all comes down to persistence and patience. If you are persistent and determined to find an answer to the questions you ask, than they will eventually find you. Sometimes answers only come after a long period of patience and deep reflection when we learn to consciously let go of the question and direct our minds on other endeavors. More about this when we discuss the intricate processes of the “thinking brain” in a future Mind Map.

Morning & Evening Daily Questions & Reflections

In order to keep ourselves focused and centered throughout our day, it is important to partake in periods of thought and reflection every morning and evening. These periods should be utilized to help us ground ourselves, to learn from our experiences, and to focus our minds on the most important and pivotal areas of our lives. Personally, I have utilized these questioning strategies for a number of years now. They help me in the morning to focus and direct my mind on what I want most, and later in the evening they assist me with the process of personal growth, reflection and reinvention. The following set of questions are only examples that have worked for me. Feel free to remove, adjust or add your own as you see fit. As a final thought; it is truly amazing how a short period of positive intention can dramatically transform our daily life circumstances and undertakings in so many surprising ways.

Morning Questions

Morning questions should be utilized for planning and thinking ahead. Spend about 5 to 10 minutes in the morning consciously answering these set of questions. For best results, you should in essence keep the answers to these questions at the forefront of your mind as you go about your daily activities. And finally, it is very important to be vividly specific with your answers. Don’t answer with fluff, but rather with specific substance that will help you to intentionally lay out the plans for your daily activities and patterns of thought and behavior.

What do I choose to do today?

What do I choose to become today?

What do I choose to have today?

What do I desire and choose to happen today?

How do I intend to think and feel today?

How do I choose to serve others today?

How will I have fun and enjoy myself today?

Evening Questions

Evening questions should be utilized for reflection, gratitude and reinvention. Again spend about 5 to 10 minutes (sometimes more may be required) to consciously reflect upon these questions. Your goal throughout this process must lead you to a psychological transformation that will help you grow and become a better person tomorrow.

What have I learned, and how have I grown today?

How has the world mirrored my inner patterns of thought and feeling? – We will get into this when we discuss the Law of Attraction in a future Mind Map.

What do I appreciate about today?

Why do I appreciate this?

How have I contributed today to myself, others and the world around me?

What have I done today that has brought me closer towards attaining my goals and objectives?

Where does my life appear to be headed based on today’s events and circumstances?

Where does my life appear to be headed based on my current patterns of behavior?

How must I now reinvent myself in order to attract what I want most in my life?

What new questions do I now seek answers to?

Final Thoughts

How we question ourselves, others, circumstances and the world around us, is intrinsically connected to the experiences and emotions we tend to attract into our lives. If we consciously take time to develop the habits of asking resourceful and solution focused questions on a daily basis, than this will enrich our lives in so many unexpected and seemingly unimagined ways. If on the other hand we neglect this responsibility and just settle upon a pattern of asking unresourceful problem centered questions, than our lives will likewise be a reflection of this ineffective thought process. In the end, the choice we make completely rests within our hands. And it is this choice that will determine the level of success, happiness and fulfillment we experience within our lives. So let’s be sure to choose wisely…

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have had success in utilizing questions to help you overcome the obstacles and challenges in your life, than please feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below.

Spotlight on the MasterMind Matrix

The process of Strategic Life Questioning Tactics is an important and indispensable component of the MasterMind Matrix.

[ View Larger Image ]

The MasterMind Matrix is a Psychological Chart of Personal Success and Achievement. It is used as an effective Self-Coaching tool that will help guide you through the personal obstacles, setbacks and limitations that may stand in your way as you progress towards the attainment of your goals and objectives in the field of academics, business, career, sports, or life in general.

Each IQ Matrix Mind Map that is available through this website represents a single cell fragment of the MasterMind Matrix. For more information and images, visit the MasterMind Matrix page.

Free Articles & Online Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding about this topic:

• 5 Questions to Ask Your Little Voice @ Reason 4 Smile
• 7 Questions that will Change Your Life @ Practical Personal Development
• How to Keep Yourself on Track – 5 Helpful Questions @ Positivity Blog
• 75 Questions to Ask Yourself @ Lyved
• Get Answers to Your Questions with these Websites @ Student Hacks
• 5 Questions that can Save You from Messing Up @ Slow Leadership
• 5 Questions that Will Change Your Life @ Pick the Brain
• 11 Questions that Could Help You to Vastly Improve the Quality of Your Life @ Positivity Blog
• 99 Powerful Questions to Ask to Turbocharge Your Life @ Abundance Blog

Recommended Books

• The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock
• Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 7 Powerful Tools for Life and Work by Marilee G. Adams
• The Right Questions: Ten Essential Questions to Guide You to an Extraordinary Life by Debbie Ford

If you would like to download a copy of this IQ Matrix, it is available from the IQ Matrix Shop.