Lateral Thinking.
Thinking, one of the most powerful and intriguing abilities at our disposal. We all do it and we may all have different thoughts that we prioritise but thoughts are the building blocks for behaviour and direction. Notable historians, pioneers, explorers and theorists may differ in their view points and individuality but thoughts are what they have all had to use as a starting point. Even how we think those thoughts can mean something and in approaching this process there can be a lot to learn about who we are.
One of the insights in life I have become aware of is the creative possibility of what the human thought process can achieve. In particular what can astound is the ability of thinking itself. At one time I was disappointed to learn that IQ is fixed, although it puzzled me why after practising IQ tests the scores could improve, one has to deduce because of this that with experience my applied thinking capability can increase. Do not let anyone tell you that you can not succeed in an area where you may have previously struggled because practice does seem to suggest that with experience can come achievement.
How I go about thinking is the key to increasing my mental capability. There is a book written by Edward de Bono called Lateral Thinking that explains and outlines the process but later when I read his six coloured hats I became aware of organised group thinking. You have probably heard of the phrase of thinking outside of the box, well for this theory you need to start off as someone who can think within the box. Thinking within the box is to follow logical thought processes which means it may be linear but not solve a particular problem. Then from this one can associate that comparatively thinking outside the box is to identify the object of the task and use imagination so that with a fresh perspective one can come up with some answers, which at first may not have appeared at all logical.
A recurring theme is the hidden problem which does not appear until some steps have been taken so that it would appear. The first actions made in illustrating this example were mistakes but they are necessary steps to solving the problem. Great steps in science would not have been accomplished if the necessary mistakes had not first taken place. In fact, science works on stating a thesis and other scientists will try to find its faults. The thesis stands until it is proved a better one can take its place.
Brainstorming popularised by Alex Faickney Osborn in 1953 is a group activity of generating random ideas and stating them on a board so they in turn could inspire collectively more thoughts on a given subject.
A part of lateral thinking is changing the learned practice of thinking in a straight line and assuming facts in a given order. So what if? Why does that happen? Would it still happen if I do this or that?
Complicated problems can be approached by breaking them down into smaller parts and associating relevant information that is more easily done by writing facts down, then working though each part for a result. On a similar theme mind maps as popularised by Tony Buzan are visual pictures of associated thoughts with multiple links although inspired for better memory recall of a subject, it also can be a problem solving technique as it incorporates lateral presentation of information.
The brain is a fabulous structure and like all parts of the human body needs exercise and its capacity as well as its efficiency can be improved by learning how to think creatively. I have often thought a fourth learning skill should be added to reading, writing and arithmetic and this may well be how to think creatively. It is an important life skill, and can improve independent thought ability and problem solving, so should stand as a subject in its own right. Versatility is important in so many areas and should therefore be encouraged in how we think, approach problems and hopefully succeed at life.
One of the insights in life I have become aware of is the creative possibility of what the human thought process can achieve. In particular what can astound is the ability of thinking itself. At one time I was disappointed to learn that IQ is fixed, although it puzzled me why after practising IQ tests the scores could improve, one has to deduce because of this that with experience my applied thinking capability can increase. Do not let anyone tell you that you can not succeed in an area where you may have previously struggled because practice does seem to suggest that with experience can come achievement.
How I go about thinking is the key to increasing my mental capability. There is a book written by Edward de Bono called Lateral Thinking that explains and outlines the process but later when I read his six coloured hats I became aware of organised group thinking. You have probably heard of the phrase of thinking outside of the box, well for this theory you need to start off as someone who can think within the box. Thinking within the box is to follow logical thought processes which means it may be linear but not solve a particular problem. Then from this one can associate that comparatively thinking outside the box is to identify the object of the task and use imagination so that with a fresh perspective one can come up with some answers, which at first may not have appeared at all logical.
A recurring theme is the hidden problem which does not appear until some steps have been taken so that it would appear. The first actions made in illustrating this example were mistakes but they are necessary steps to solving the problem. Great steps in science would not have been accomplished if the necessary mistakes had not first taken place. In fact, science works on stating a thesis and other scientists will try to find its faults. The thesis stands until it is proved a better one can take its place.
Brainstorming popularised by Alex Faickney Osborn in 1953 is a group activity of generating random ideas and stating them on a board so they in turn could inspire collectively more thoughts on a given subject.
A part of lateral thinking is changing the learned practice of thinking in a straight line and assuming facts in a given order. So what if? Why does that happen? Would it still happen if I do this or that?
Complicated problems can be approached by breaking them down into smaller parts and associating relevant information that is more easily done by writing facts down, then working though each part for a result. On a similar theme mind maps as popularised by Tony Buzan are visual pictures of associated thoughts with multiple links although inspired for better memory recall of a subject, it also can be a problem solving technique as it incorporates lateral presentation of information.
The brain is a fabulous structure and like all parts of the human body needs exercise and its capacity as well as its efficiency can be improved by learning how to think creatively. I have often thought a fourth learning skill should be added to reading, writing and arithmetic and this may well be how to think creatively. It is an important life skill, and can improve independent thought ability and problem solving, so should stand as a subject in its own right. Versatility is important in so many areas and should therefore be encouraged in how we think, approach problems and hopefully succeed at life.
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