Solving problems is an exercise in creativity. The point is not to create a life with no problems, but rather to become a better and better problem solver. As we leave the Industrial Age and move into the Information Age there is a need to develop different skills.
In this new age, the two most important skills become making things up, and figuring things out. In the past, many people did much the same jobs, as in the factories on the assembly line. In the future, specialization is becoming more and more prevalent; and in the office, everyone is doing something different. We can no longer depend on the same old answers because we are creating brand new problems. The key to the future of our civilization involves creativity and problem solving.

How we experience our problems is a more significant factor in our happiness than are the specific problems that we experience. Instead of complaining and worrying, we can learn to see our problems as creative opportunities that give us the chance to grow and improve. We can take on our problems as puzzles to be solved, or as challenges to be overcome.

When we get into stressful Beta States, the filter (the reticular activating system) closes down, denying us access to higher intelligence, memory and creativity. By utilizing the Alpha State you get in touch with your problem solving capabilities.

With the filter open, you can use your imagination to go beyond what you know into all that could be. Often it is difficult to solve our problems because we can't clearly see the problem for what it truly is. This is the “you can't see the forest for the trees” syndrome. We get caught up in the emotions and sometimes seem to blow the problem out of all proportion. Sometimes it serves to take an alternate perception and see the problem in a different way. Step outside the problem and change your perception, and the problem seems to change as well.

You could imagine that the problem belongs to someone else. If this were true, what kind of advice would you give him? What would you say that his first step could be? How would you help to motivate him and get him going? What resources would you suggest that he utilize? How could you help him be confident of his process and his ultimate success? You could pretend that the problem is already solved. Think backwards from the solution to the first step. Remember how you did it. Where were you when you figured it out.

Sometimes we can solve a problem simply by realizing that it is not really a problem at all. Many problems can be seen in a positive light as creative opportunities. For every problem there are solutions. Some are better than others. One of the most limiting forms of thinking is to assume that there is only one right answer to your problem. This rigid and restrictive thinking process comes from school. One right answer and anything else is wrong seriously inhibits creativity.

We must break out of that mold in order to be truly effective problem solvers. If you relax your mind and use your imagination and your creativity you will find unlimited resources at your disposal. Almost all of the great problems that have ever been solved have had their solutions begin in some woman's or some man's daydream. It is the daydream-like alpha state where most great ideas are born. One little clue or creative idea is all that it takes to begin solving the most perplexing problems. Alpha is a great tool to get in touch with your memory and creativity, to enhance your capacity for problem solving.

Focus brings to bear the power of the conscious mind, and Passion brings to bear the power of the subconscious mind. When the two minds come together in harmony, something magical happens. They create a third mind; a higher consciousness. This is literally a second level of thinking. With Focused Passion, all the power is in the second level of thinking. You get to think about your individual thoughts and feelings, and choose to empower the positive ones, and choose to release the negative ones. In this way you come to enjoy all of your thoughts and all of your feelings. Do this and you will discover that there is a side effect. It is called happiness. Happiness is not about your particular circumstances. Happiness is not about your initial thoughts. Happiness comes from what you think, about what you think.

Here is a simple and powerful technique for creating the state of Focused Passion. Focus comes when you move away from stress, just a little of the way toward sleep. Passion comes when you enjoy what you are doing.

Focus Passion is moving from divided attention (multi-tasking) to paying attention to just one special thing. Do this and you slow down your mind. You move toward stress when you feel endangered. To move into Focused Passion you need to feel safe.

Close your eyes.

Most of the input that comes in through your five senses comes in through your eyes. Close your eyes and you slow down your mind. It’s the first thing you do when you want to fall asleep. Focused Passion can be reached with your eyes open, but closing your eyes cuts out many of the potential distractions.

Take a deep breath and imagine that you are in a very safe and peaceful place.

By making this safe place, a place that you love to be, you add passion to your state of focus. When you feel stressed you tighten your muscles and hold your breath. Release your muscle tension and let go of your breath and you will begin to feel safe. Choose this place with your intuition. Let it be the first safe place that comes in to your mind. Imagine that you can see this place, or that you can hear the surrounding sounds. Simply pretend and get the feeling that you are there. If your mind goes off to a different place, just notice this and then bring yourself back to your first place. Always return to this same place each time you wish to re-create this state of Focused Passion.

With Focused Passion you can solve the only two problems that you face. One problem is that you know what you want, but you don’t know how to get it, and the only other problem is that you don’t know what you want.

When you don’t know what you want, you go to your place of Focused Passion and you ask. Then you listen for the answer. This is called meditation, introspection, reflection, or prayer. If you believe in a higher power then you might believe that the answer comes through you. If you don’t believe in a higher power then you might believe that the answer comes from you. Either way the process is the same. You ask, and then you listen for the answer.

If you do know what you want, then you tell. You imagine what you do want, as if you already have it, over and over again, with GREAT PASSION! This is called mental programming, visualization, self-hypnosis, or auto-suggestion. It is an application of the amazingly powerful law of attraction.

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