CC #2 for 1998.comes from another book titled...

THE ART OF CREATIVE THINKING: A Practical Guide by Robert W. Olson, Barnes & Noble 1978, 1980 paperback ISBN 0-06-463508-2

He describes his problem solving model on page 93

• Define your Problem
• Open yourself to multiple possibilities
• Identify the most effective solutions
• Transform your solution(s) into action plans

The acronym for his model is DO IT!

He then goes on to list 3 or 4 techniques for each of the D O IT! stages

MIND STRENGTHENING is one he suggests for IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Step one
List all the negative aspects of the solution.
Deliberately be vicious.

Step two
Try to positivize the negatives

Step three
Modify the solution to reduce the negatives

Synectics uses their "plussing" approach (basically the same) de Bono uses his 6 Hats and others have their own.

Try it this week for 10 to 15 minutes on one of your challenges. Don't let a solution die simply because he has some negatives. Turn them into positives or minor negatives you can live with.

Have a creative week.

Alan