It seems that scientific research is finaly proving what proponents of creative problem solving have been saying for years. From
'Sleeping on it' best for complex decisions at New Scientist.com (16.02.06)...
Complex decisions are best left to your unconscious mind to work out, according to a new study, and over-thinking a problem could lead to expensive mistakes.
The research suggests the conscious mind should be trusted only with simple decisions, such as selecting a brand of oven glove. Sleeping on a big decision, such as buying a car or house, is more likely to produce a result people remain happy with than consciously weighing up the pros and cons of the problem, the researchers say.
It seems that our brain can only handle a certain amount of concious data at any one moment. And many of what we consider to be
problems or
challenges have many more factors involved that make it difficult, if not impossible to solve using logic - at least to our satisfaction. So the next time you realise that the same issue has come up for you
again, consider using creative problem solving to push past the limitations of your logic. In fact, this is exactly what The
Inner Vision Deck helps you to do. Happy problem solving!
It seems that scientific research is finaly proving what proponents of creative problem solving have been saying for years. From
'Sleeping on it' best for complex decisions at New Scientist.com (16.02.06)...
Complex decisions are best left to your unconscious mind to work out, according to a new study, and over-thinking a problem could lead to expensive mistakes.
The research suggests the conscious mind should be trusted only with simple decisions, such as selecting a brand of oven glove. Sleeping on a big decision, such as buying a car or house, is more likely to produce a result people remain happy with than consciously weighing up the pros and cons of the problem, the researchers say.
It seems that our brain can only handle a certain amount of concious data at any one moment. And many of what we consider to be
problems or
challenges have many more factors involved that make it difficult, if not impossible to solve using logic - at least to our satisfaction. So the next time you realise that the same issue has come up for you
again, consider using creative problem solving to push past the limitations of your logic. In fact, this is exactly what The
Inner Vision Deck helps you to do. Happy problem solving!
This diagram is based on an article by Win Wenger, founder of Project Renaissance. Win is someone who I have much respect for and have trained with in the past. I wholehearted agree with many of his views/theories about the value of creativity in our lives. Especially as to how it relates to our growth, meaning, learning, and wellbeing among other things. In fact many of the tools I have developed (The
Inner Vision Deck, and
Rory's Story Cubes) have been done so using the methods that he freely shares.
I have designed this diagram for a workshop that I run, and generally do not say too much to participants about it. Their task is to work it out for themselves. So, what does this diagram mean to you? How do you make sense of it? Please examine your own thoughts, before reading Win's article at the link above. That very request, will tell you alot about the diagram.
This diagram is based on an article by Win Wenger, founder of Project Renaissance. Win is someone who I have much respect for and have trained with in the past. I wholehearted agree with many of his views/theories about the value of creativity in our lives. Especially as to how it relates to our growth, meaning, learning, and wellbeing among other things. In fact many of the tools I have developed (The
Inner Vision Deck, and
Rory's Story Cubes) have been done so using the methods that he freely shares.
I have designed this diagram for a workshop that I run, and generally do not say too much to participants about it. Their task is to work it out for themselves. So, what does this diagram mean to you? How do you make sense of it? Please examine your own thoughts, before reading Win's article at the link above. That very request, will tell you alot about the diagram.
Consent-based decision-making as an alternative to violence
Having been a few days since I've posted, I'm not quite sure what to talk about. A lot has been happening, and most recently it is
Sociocracy that has been to the forefront of my mind.
The reason for this is because decison-making in Northern Ireland has largely been based on the threat of violence - both physical and mental. And Sociocracy provides an alternative based on consent. We introduced this consent-based decision making process with the young people on our cross community project.
For our groups, the issue they were facing was that not everyone could come to the project on the originally agreed nights - Monday and Tuesday. Instead of just saying, "that's tough!" we decided to use the consent-based or 'circle' meeting process to explore a 'third-way' solution. Within twenty minutes the group had agreed that Mondays would be for personal development, and tuesday for working on their film. In this way everyone got to work on the film. And for those who wanted, they could use Monday for pesonal development i.e. increasing confidence, developing communication skills, creativity, teamwork, decision-making, etc.
The groups really taken to it, and feedback so far is that it is inclusive, gives everyone a voice, ensures that people listen, and helps them to reach a decision in a way that is an alternative to violence. And the wonderful thing is that you can learn this method in practise.
I have also used this approach to decision making in businesses and with the board of the charity I work with - The Educational Shakespeare Company. In every case it has provide a result far greater than anyone initially imagined.
Having been a few days since I've posted, I'm not quite sure what to talk about. A lot has been happening, and most recently it is
Sociocracy that has been to the forefront of my mind.
The reason for this is because decison-making in Northern Ireland has largely been based on the threat of violence - both physical and mental. And Sociocracy provides an alternative based on consent. We introduced this consent-based decision making process with the young people on our cross community project.
For our groups, the issue they were facing was that not everyone could come to the project on the originally agreed nights - Monday and Tuesday. Instead of just saying, "that's tough!" we decided to use the consent-based or 'circle' meeting process to explore a 'third-way' solution. Within twenty minutes the group had agreed that Mondays would be for personal development, and tuesday for working on their film. In this way everyone got to work on the film. And for those who wanted, they could use Monday for pesonal development i.e. increasing confidence, developing communication skills, creativity, teamwork, decision-making, etc.
The groups really taken to it, and feedback so far is that it is inclusive, gives everyone a voice, ensures that people listen, and helps them to reach a decision in a way that is an alternative to violence. And the wonderful thing is that you can learn this method in practise.
I have also used this approach to decision making in businesses and with the board of the charity I work with - The Educational Shakespeare Company. In every case it has provide a result far greater than anyone initially imagined.
Squishing Creativity
Last night was my second night working with a new group of young people from Nationalist and Loyalist areas of North Belfast. Between now and June, my colleague Tom Magill and I will be helping them make a film about their experiences. We are working with a group who have identified lack of self-cofidence, low self-esteem and creativity as major hurdles to overcome.
From talking with them, these issues are affecting their school grades. They admit to not answering questions in class, for fear that they
will get it wrong, that
others will laugh, or that
they'll look stupid.They are an incredible group of young people, who I guess are often overlooked, as they are so quiet.
This connects to something that I firmly believe in...that
we are ALL inherently creative, and have a lot to contribute to society as a whole. Unfortunately our environment squishes this down so that we end up believing that it is not safe to be smart, creative, open, trusting, etc.
We become stuck, frozen or defensively dismissive for fear of getting hurt again.
I see this happening from quiet a young age, and a lot of my work is about helping people to remove these limiting beliefs that continue to smothering these natural capacities that our society is calling for now.
What are your thoughts on this? Can you remember a time that this happened? Or have you an example of how you overcame this? I'd love to hear.
Last night was my second night working with a new group of young people from Nationalist and Loyalist areas of North Belfast. Between now and June, my colleague Tom Magill and I will be helping them make a film about their experiences. We are working with a group who have identified lack of self-cofidence, low self-esteem and creativity as major hurdles to overcome.
From talking with them, these issues are affecting their school grades. They admit to not answering questions in class, for fear that they
will get it wrong, that
others will laugh, or that
they'll look stupid.They are an incredible group of young people, who I guess are often overlooked, as they are so quiet.
This connects to something that I firmly believe in...that
we are ALL inherently creative, and have a lot to contribute to society as a whole. Unfortunately our environment squishes this down so that we end up believing that it is not safe to be smart, creative, open, trusting, etc.
We become stuck, frozen or defensively dismissive for fear of getting hurt again.
I see this happening from quiet a young age, and a lot of my work is about helping people to remove these limiting beliefs that continue to smothering these natural capacities that our society is calling for now.
What are your thoughts on this? Can you remember a time that this happened? Or have you an example of how you overcame this? I'd love to hear.
