Flip One Problem

I've noticed a fascinating pattern that, when solving a problem, my default orientation is towards quality: "I just need a good idea." I don't realize I'm thinking this way, but I often am. And realizing it is the first step to a solution.

This isn't just for "work problems" like "how do introduce this idea," or "how do I frame this email? by the way." It's for all sorts of personal problems like, "where should we go for dinner?" too. Can you relate to unconsciously thinking in terms of the right answer? 

I've stumbled across a blindingly obvious tactic: deliberately change my brain's default quality orientation, to a quantity mindset. Instead of thinking in terms of The. Right. Answer., think in terms of possible answers. Other answers. Etc.

Game changer. It's as if I'm deciding to join the quantity group, one problem at a time.

I was interviewing a fantastic female founder (more on that subject another time) a few years (and millions of dollars) beyond LaunchPad earlier today, and I asked her a related question: "How do you realize that you're dealing with an idea problem, when the actual problem is, you need to think generatively rather than critically? What are your tricks?" I assumed she had an answer, as she's a prolific and successful entrepreneur. Her answer? "Wow... you just made me think of five problems that I've been stuck on, that we should be brainstorming on...I hadn't seen them that way."

So here's the prompt, if you're up for it: identify one problem where you're stuck trying to find the right answer. Acknowledge your default quality orientation, and then deliberately flip it. Impose an idea quota of say 10 ideas as a goal, and go for quantity. Don't stop when you get a "good idea;" keep going until you hit your quota. Then take stock of where you're at.

There is a sense in which every problem is fundamentally an idea problem. And once I become aware of that, the tool set that's available to me expands considerably. I can be thoughtful about inputs, for example, or seek an outside perspective. The challenge is becoming aware of it, and practicing by forcing a flip on a problem is a great way to train new neural pathways.

Click here to subscribe to Paint & Pipette, the weekly digest of these daily posts.