| Genius level thinking is not reserved only for highly | | | | there are great clues there. Other times, the |
| mentally gifted. Geniuses have a system for how | | | | current problem is unique enough to require a |
| to work through problems, which they may or | | | | fresh perspective. Also, fixing the real problem |
| may not be conscious of. Once you learn the | | | | may require a multi-layered solution verses a |
| system, you can use it to solve problems the | | | | standard one-action reaction. |
| way geniuses do. The difference between them | | | | Geniuses brainstorm. They will sit down and think |
| and you is that they've simply used their system | | | | through dozens of solutions. Even the solutions |
| longer than you have. Once you gain some | | | | that at first glance they may think won't work |
| practice with it, internalize it, and begin to use it | | | | are viable solutions for them at this stage. Even |
| automatically, the people in your life will see you | | | | when they think they've found solutions that are |
| as a genius to. | | | | perfect, they keep going. They come up with as |
| Here are the 7 steps to genius level problems | | | | many solutions as they think they can, and then |
| solving. | | | | squeak out a few more until they have 20 - 30 |
| 1. Identification | | | | possibilities. Then the magic happens. Combinations |
| In most cases, we tend to think that the | | | | of those possibilities jump out to sometimes form |
| symptoms of a problem are the problem itself. | | | | brand new solutions to completely solve the |
| We then set off to address the symptom. After | | | | problem. When they are done, they know that |
| our time and effort has been spent, the | | | | the problem will be solved, and they know exactly |
| symptom has been temporarily eliminated. Since | | | | how it will be done. |
| we did not solve the root cause of the problem, | | | | Take out a pad and a pen. Write down 20 - 30 |
| the symptoms will return again and again. | | | | possible solutions for the real problem you've |
| Geniuses spend a large portion of their problem | | | | identified. You'll find that it's easy to get the first |
| solving time in identifying the true problem. They | | | | 10 down on paper. Typically, you'll find that the |
| understand that a problem can be resolved once | | | | next 5 are a bit off the wall and unrealistic. |
| and for all if they can identify its causes. When | | | | However, those last 5 to 15 possibilities are where |
| the root causes of a problem are found, all of the | | | | your creative juices start to kick in. You switch |
| symptoms of that problem also vanish. It's the | | | | from pulling solutions from your memory and |
| equivalent of killing 10 birds with one stone. | | | | begin creating new possibilities. This is the stuff of |
| Plan on spending a lot of time and thought on | | | | genius level thinking! |
| finding the real problem. If you begin with a | | | | 5. Plan |
| symptom, ask yourself what causes it to be a | | | | Most of us never plan our solutions out. We keep |
| problem for you. When you find an answer, ask | | | | throwing stuff at our problems until something |
| yourself again what cause it to be a problem for | | | | sticks, we go with it, and we hope for the best. |
| you. Somewhere between 5 and 10 "why's" deep, | | | | Geniuses plan. Armed with the vision of the end |
| you'll find the root cause of the problem. | | | | state, and a solution or a group of solutions, they |
| 2. Mindset | | | | create a plan to implement those solutions. They |
| When we have a "big" problem in our lives, we | | | | determine what they need, help they need to |
| sometimes become overwhelmed by it. We see it | | | | request from others, the timeline it needs to be |
| as insurmountable. We don't believe we can get | | | | done within, and they move forward. |
| passed it and it becomes a major source of | | | | Many of us have no problem planning out a |
| stress and worry. Since we can't see life without | | | | vacation, a birthday party or a night out on the |
| this problem, it seems unsolvable. Our thoughts | | | | town. Those are the same skills you'll use here. |
| repeat on the phrase, "its impossible". Our mindset | | | | The difference is that instead of a fun evening, |
| is that this problem has us in its grasps. | | | | you'll successfully eliminate a major problem from |
| Geniuses believe that all problems are temporary | | | | your life permanently. Isn't that worth taking |
| and solvable. Think about a major problem in your | | | | some time to plan for? |
| life 3 years ago. Remember your mindset at that | | | | 6. Act |
| time? You didn't know how you would ever get | | | | Procrastination, perfectionism, and denial are the |
| passed that situation. Yet, here you are 3 years | | | | enemies of action. When we know there is |
| later. As you look back to 3 years ago, you | | | | something major we must do, many of us all of a |
| realize that the problem that was gigantic then is | | | | sudden find 10 other things that we think we |
| either greatly reduced or not a problem at all | | | | need to do right now. We spend the time on |
| today. Geniuses start with that perspective in | | | | things that can wait and ignore the major problem |
| mind. They know that it's usually not as bad as it | | | | we could resolve right now. Also, we often stop |
| seems today. Also, they don't waste their time | | | | our own progress because we don't think we |
| thinking about aspects of the problem that they | | | | have everything perfect. We'd rather not act and |
| cannot change. They know that a major part of | | | | wait until we have everything perfectly laid out |
| any problem is their thoughts about it. So, if they | | | | than to begin making strides towards resolution. |
| can't change a circumstance contributing to a | | | | Geniuses act. They act now, they act swiftly, and |
| problem, they focus on the aspects of the | | | | they act with confidence. It's not that they know |
| problem they can change. | | | | all of the answers. They are confident in knowing |
| Understand that new problems create new | | | | that they will make mistakes and learn from |
| perspectives. Therefore, welcome the challenges | | | | them along the way. They don't allow the perfect |
| because they stretch your minds. It is that mental | | | | to be the enemy of the good, as Barrack Obama |
| stretch and growth that allows you to see major | | | | often says. When the time comes to act, they |
| problems from 3 years ago as minor today. Fast | | | | do so. |
| forward the process. View problems as | | | | Don't wait. Now that you have a solution to a |
| challenges, know that they are temporary, and | | | | problem you once thought was big and |
| that a solution can be found. | | | | overwhelming, don't sit on it. Know that mistakes |
| 3. Vision | | | | are a part of the process, and that you will make |
| We typically direct our minds toward what we | | | | far less mistakes moving through these steps |
| should do as the first step towards solving a | | | | than just trying anything. Trust the process, trust |
| problem. Then, we focus on the next step, and | | | | your solutions and trust yourself. |
| then the next. Eventually, we may hit an obstacle | | | | 7. Adjust |
| that makes the solution path we were following | | | | There are some folks that are going to do what |
| ineffective. So, we try again with a new first | | | | they want to do, even when they know their plan |
| step, and another, and another to see where that | | | | has a flaw. Rather than change course along the |
| leads. This can often result in frustration, lack of | | | | way when necessary, they move forward as if |
| faith in how things are going, and the creation of | | | | their plan was written in concrete and they have |
| brand new problems while trying to solve the | | | | no other options. |
| current one. | | | | Geniuses monitor their progress against the end |
| Geniuses make their first step visualizing the end | | | | state vision they have in their mind and adjust |
| state. They focus on a vision of the true problem | | | | course along the way to ensure they fulfill that |
| and all of its components and symptoms solved. | | | | vision. They understand that as they proceed |
| By doing this, they begin to understand how it will | | | | along their plan, they learn more, get smarter and |
| feel once the problems are solved, and they | | | | need to make adjustments here or there if they |
| receive clues from that vision as to the correct | | | | are going to succeed. They are committed to |
| solution path. | | | | their end state vision. They understand that their |
| In "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," | | | | plan is a means towards that end. |
| Stephen Covey lists one habit as "begin with the | | | | Observe the results you are getting, project your |
| end in mind". This is what geniuses do, and you | | | | thoughts forward to see if you are on track |
| can do it too. Know where you are going before | | | | towards your end state vision, and adjust your |
| you try to get there. Knowing the end state, and | | | | plan as needed. No plan is perfect, and all plans |
| keeping it in mind until the problem(s) is/are | | | | need fine tuning as you move further down the |
| solved is a major contributor towards resolution. | | | | solution path. Adjusting the plan here are there |
| 4. Brainstorm | | | | doesn't mean the plan was bad. It's a natural part |
| When someone begins to think of solutions to a | | | | of the process that should be embraced if there |
| problem, they tend to think about problems in | | | | is a need to succeed. |
| their past and how they solved them. Sometimes | | | | |