Last week, we introduced the concept of Perpendicular Thinking. It’s a concept that challenges us to stop always thinking along linear lines – to stop relying on our usual procedures and habits and look a problem or task from a new angle. Sometimes we call it thinking “outside the box”. Of course, in real life you won’t find boxes. But you will find numerous situations where a creative breakthrough is needed and likely even staring you in the face if only you had eyes to see it!
Most people falsely think that you’re either born an innovative thinker or not. It’s true that some of us do default to a particular approach that suits us. But, it’s also true creative thinking is a skill that anyone can utilize, and even make second nature. And employing perpendicular thinking has many benefits including finding a better way to solve problems, making your business more efficient and profitable, freeing up time for other pursuits, and a more fulfilling process.
Mainly, to hone your perpendicular thinking, you only need to ask “Is there another way to think about this?”
It means sticking with the problem longer, and looking at it from various sides. It might mean laying aside procedures and policies for a moment. The processes and procedures we have in place were likely put there to make things simpler, but they also make it easy to turn our brains off. And, truth be told, we can set our brains to auto-pilot and still get through some days without much trouble. Think of all the times you’ve gotten in your car and driven somewhere, surprised when you showed up at your destination because of all the interesting mental journeys you took along the way!!
We know that changing the way you think about a thing is easier said than done. You’re likely sitting at your desk right now, applauding this idea… but still stumped about how to truly get out of your rut and look at your situation from a new angle. To help you put some practical steps to this, Sarah has developed a simple tool. It will walk you through your challenge and help you think through possible solutions. (The development of our tool came out of our reading and research here and here, if you’d like to explore further.)
In order to receive Sarah’s free tool, Challenges from a Different Angle, just fill out quick this form and we’ll send it over:[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
We are confident that it will help you forge ahead as you try to look at your current challenge from a new angle!
