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To find creative solutions to problems we need to get our minds looking in new directions. One of the most systematic ways of doing this is to use a list of ideagenerating words, primarily adjectives, to create "what if?" scenarios. You begin with the question, "what if it was..." and insert a word from the list. "It" is the the problem you are trying to solve, or the situation or solution that exists at the moment.
An Example
An example will help explain the process. To find creative solutions to the problem of, "not enough parking space for my customers," you ask, "What if it (the parking lot, the problem, the store) was..." and you insert from the list, "smaller." The lot is already too small, but maybe the landscaping or the store could be shrunk to allow for more parking spaces. The word, "distant" might give you the idea to make a deal with the store next to yours to connect your lots. The word, "divided" may cause you to think about painting the lines closer together to fit two more spaces in.
Click here for information on the Ebook Problem Solving Power Powerful techniques for creatively solving problems and generating new ideas.
descriptive phrase, or word that can change your perspective can be potentially useful for discovering creative solutions and ideas.
What if it was...
larger smaller farther away closer sooner later easier more difficult softer harder poorer richer wetter drier higher lower longer shorter white black certain uncertain newer older calmer more exciting boring interesting more casual more serious divided combined subtle extravagant more common less common faster slower better worse hotter colder added to subtracted from left alone hopeless stickier happier relaxed imaginary cheaper more expensive