A DIFFERENT approach to solving problems is offered by this book written by Edward Burger and Michael Starbird entitled, “Five Elements of Effective Thinking”. The kind of thinking the authors are recommending for us to try, is to make use (by analogy) of the elements of nature: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Earth: Use the element of ‘Earth’ to solve a complex problem by going to
the root of the problem: Ask yourself, "What are the core components
or underlying factors I need to know more about this problem?" Break
the problem into a list of knowledge areas you need to research.
For example, if you struggle with procrastination, break the problem of
procrastination into a list of underlying factors: distraction, lack of
motivation, and getting overwhelmed with the difficulties. Overcome
procrastination by gaining a rock‐solid understanding of the factors that cause
procrastination and solve each factor one by one. The authors
say, “To learn any subject well and to create ideas beyond those that have
existed before, return to the basics repeatedly.”
Air: Use the element of ‘Air’ to solve a complex problem by asking
perspective‐changing questions. Ask yourself: "What if I were a curious child who knew
nothing about this problem?" When you ask this question, you adopt a
beginner’s mind and notice untested assumptions. This technique was adopted by
Elon Musk, when he came up with a much cheaper rocket than those built by NASA
that cost a hundred million dollars each. Space X’s rockets would cost
only eight million.
Elon approached the problem as a beginner and asked the question: What
are the main elements of a rocket? And it turned out the main parts were
very much obtainable in the market, whereas NASA would source it out from
sub-contractors that makes it multiply the price because of the extra labor and
intermediary fees. "What if I were a pro and this was easy?” When you
ask this question, you stop struggling and start looking for a simple solution
(it’s also a great question to ask when feeling overwhelmed by a massive
problem).
Successful entrepreneurs routinely ask, "What if I were the
customer?" This question helps an entrepreneur adopt the customer's point
of view and notice points of friction in the purchase funnel, which they can
fix to generate more sales. When you consider the element of ‘Air’ imagine
you are riding whirling around a problem like a tornado and adjusting your
point of view.
Fire: Use the element of ‘Fire’ to solve a complex problem by testing
ideas and embracing mistakes. When you’re going to take an exam, take a
practice test, then study the mistakes you’ve made in that practice test to
generate the habit of spotting wrong answers and why they got wrong to arrive
at the correct solution. If you’re not sure how to respond to an email, write a
terrible draft, find errors, and fix them.
It’s a trial-and-error method. There is a big difference between
failing and failing productively. Failing, and quitting isn't useful. Failing
productively, however, by making mistakes and asking, "What specifically
went wrong, and how can I do it better?" illuminates the path to
success.
Water: Use the element of ‘Water’ to solve a complex problem by building
on past success and building your way to the perfect solution (like a small
wave gradually turning into a tsunami).
If you are trying to become a writer, great authors will tell you their
first draft is messy and muddled, but they can always find something small
(maybe just a few sentences) that they can build from. By gradually building on
what's working, great authors can turn a rough draft into
a bestseller. Innovative solutions come from existing ideas
made better through iteration or gradual improvement. (ECC)
No comments:
Post a Comment