Creativity & Creative Problem Solving

There is no shortage of problems these days; the BP Gulf oil spill, global warming, economic woes, etc., etc… From an individual perspective, there is no shortage of personal problems either; childcare, mortgage payments, health issues, home improvements and so on. Every problem, however, has a solution. In fact, every problem has several solutions. Creativity is one of the greatest attributes on the human condition. Creativity isn’t a right brain activity; it’s a whole brain activity. It begins in the right brain, searching for ideas, combining possibilities, and playing with ideas. Then the left brain comes in and selects the best idea and then makes it happen. Imagination + Perspiration = success! The creative process is very liberating, and as such very empowering. But many people claim NOT to be creative, particularly under stress. Their egos get in the way of the creative process and they metaphorically paint themselves into a corner, claiming victimization. Creative problem solving is one of THE most powerful coping techniques for stress. The arc of creative problem solving begins with an idea, and ends with the celebration of the success of the idea. Remember: Imagination + Perspiration = Success!

• Stress Tip For The Day
What problems have been haunting you for the past several weeks? Chances are there are many viable solutions to your problem; solutions that can get you out of your rut and put you back on the road again. Pick a problem (e.g., what to make for dinner tonight, getting out of debt or finding a dog sitter while on vacation, etc.). Come up with at least five (5) viable ideas to help solve this problem. Also… think of one zany, off the wall idea. Then select the best idea and make it happen.

• Links/Books Worth Noting:
There are two books I think should be issued to each human upon exiting the birth canal’ Roger von Oech’s A Whack on the Side of the Head and A Kick in the Seat of the Pants. These book on creativity should be required reading for everyone who has stress.

Speaking of problems, I was sent this link about the BP oil spill… and felt the need to pass it along. Please watch it.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=138999366114177&ref=mf

• Quote for the Day:
“When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.” —Buckminster Fuller

Photo of the Day:
PROBLEM: What do you do with mounds and mounds of snow? ANSWER: Have a snow carving festival! That’s what the people of Breckenridge decided to do and continue to do each year. This is one of the exhibits from the 2010 season (and given the heat wave on the east coast today, I though a little snow might ease the tension out there.) Enjoy!

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Brian Luke Seaward

Author Brian Luke Seaward

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