The Inner Vision Deck is simple to use. There are a few steps, that if you follow them, will help draw out your own insights in relation to any question you might ask. Don't be tempted to skip the instructions, as taking the time will help ensure that you get a massive return on your investment.
Setup
Think of an issue, challenge or question you would like to answer using the Inner Vision Deck™.
Framing the question
Frame the question using what, where, when, why, who, and how. These 'openers' help to stimulate answers that you may not yet have considered e.g. "How can I create a win-win situation for me and my client?" or "What is it I need to do to fully understand this material?" Write down the question if it helps you to remember.
Choosing a card
While holding the question in mind, shuffle the deck with the cards face down. You can spread the cards if you prefer. Now...
- randomly draw a card; or
- choose a card to which you feel drawn; or
- if a card falls from the deck when shuffling, select that one.
Next, read the word/phrase on the card or cards.
If you have accidentally drawn more than one card, try placing them together to form a new phrase i.e. "new school" and "on the horizon" can combine to form "new school on the horizon".
If you do not recognise the word or phrase, ask yourself "How might not knowing this word help to answer or provide an insight into the question?"
Answering the question - 1
Personal meaning technique
- On a piece of paper, list 8-12 meanings that the word holds for you. Do not try to relate the meanings to the question at this stage.
- Starting with the first meaning, list 3 possibilities as to how it might provide an answer or insight into the question.
- Repeat for each meaning or until you have found the answer.
Have you answered your question? If you have, read Rating the answer. If it is still not fully answered, try the Creating a scene approach.
Answering the question - 3
Creating a scene
- Close your eyes and picture a scene that represents the word or phrase for you. The scene does not need to make sense.
- On a piece of paper, list 8-12 features of that scene.
- Starting with the first feature, consider how it might help answer the question. List 2-3 possibilities.
- Repeat for each feature or until you have found the answer.
Is the question answered for you? If it is, read Rating the answer. If not, read Getting clear answers.
Rating the answer
1) On a scale of 0-10 (with 10 being fully answered), rate how 'answered' the question is for you.
2) If you are not yet at a 10, try asking the following question: "What is another even clearer answer to...[the question]?" and draw another card. Another approach is to ask: "What else do I need to know to fully to answer this question?"
3) Repeat Answering the question (steps 1-3).
Getting Clear Answers
If question is still not fully answered for you, try asking...
- What is another even clearer answer to...[the question]? and draw another card. Repeat steps 2-4 using a new sheet.
Alternatively, ask one of the following: - Why is it that I don't appear to be getting a satisfactory answer to...?
- What is it I need to be aware of about not being able to answer this question?
- What do I need to be aware of that will allow me to answer this question?
If you don't appear to be getting any answers, try not to worry. I find that when working by myself or with others, the only reason we can't get an answer is because of the belief that we have reached a dead-end. If you find yourself saying "Well, that's just the way things are!", "That doesn't make sense", "That must be wrong", or "It's not working" and "I give up". Then Stop. Take a break, and go do something different. Sometimes it helps to do something that is automatic for you like washing dishes, driving a car, or my favourite - brushing my teeth! This is where I have the greatest number of "Aha!" moments! This break allows your deeper awareness (non-conscious brain) to keep working on the problem, assessing patterns and possibilities even while you are consciously doing something different.
It can be frustrating to not get an answer first time around, but if for some reason you cannot seem to generate an answer, you may not have all the resources available to answer it. Sometimes you will have to answer one question before you can solve another. Creative Problem Solving can be like peeling layers from an onion. Each time you think you are done, only to realise that there is another deeper challenge facing you. This is really exciting as you would most likely not have been able to answer this question until you have tackled the first...and that my friend is progress!
On a personal note, there are times that I have had to put a question aside, simply because it was taking up too much time. This is less often than the times I have successfully generated an answer. My stubborn refusal to accept that I cannot get an answer has allowed me to reframe a question in a new way that has often yielded positive results.
And don't forget, you are only human!
