Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you’re hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.

Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage," two heads are better than one." That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you’re talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

You don’t have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.

Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.

Here is one example.

Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.

So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.

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It may not be easy doing this but it can be done. It is possible to create a positive and motivated environment even at these times of economic hardships. Here are some of the things that you can do to get your people to stay motivated and on task.

1. Give them rewards.
One of the best and perhaps easiest ways to motivate people is to give then rewards for a job well done. People are basically materialistic and they want something concrete for their efforts. This is especially true now that people want resources in addition to what they are already earning. Rewards are also instant things that they can easily connect with their achievements and efforts.

You can tie up monetary rewards for instance with their performance levels. Those who have perfect attendance or those who are never late can also be given rewards for their efforts. You can reward a lot of things, not just achievement.

2. Give them words of encouragement
There are some people who do not really care about the material gains. What they mostly care about is to know that they are doing a great job. You can reward them by words instead of material things. Praising is perhaps the less expensive thing that you can do to boost the morale of your people. Besides upping the level of motivation, you will also be creating a more together and bonded atmosphere in the company. People who praise their people are better looked up to as managers as opposed to those who do not say anything or those who only have disparaging remarks.

3. Interact with them
Being a manager, people will see you as something beyond their reach. Some will even see you with awe in their eyes. Reaching out to them and talking to them will be a great treat for your employees. This is especially true if you do not do this often. The shock effect will give your employees a certain feeling of togetherness and belongingness that they need to feel good about themselves and their jobs. Besides, with the boss talking to them, they will certainly feel more confident and more able to perform on the tasks given to them. After all, who would not want to be able to talk to the boss as if he or she is just a friend.

Motivation is an important thing in business. The level of motivation that your people have will affect the performance that they will put in for their work. Ultimately, their performance will affect the company’s production level. Having well-motivated people is something that you should not let slip by the radar. If you want to really perform well in the market especially at these times when survival is important, take a look at your employees.

They may not be as motivated as you would want them to be. By increasing their motivation levels, you will basically ensuring the survival of your company.

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• May 25, 2009 — How to Increase Your Employees’ Motivation Levels
• May 20, 2009 — How to Motivate People
• May 19, 2009 — How Self-Motivation can Create a Positive Impact on Your Life
• May 15, 2009 — How Motivation can Help People Healthy?
• May 15, 2009 — How can Self-Motivation Help You Save Money?

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If you’ve placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join again?

In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.

So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?

Well, optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.

On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teen-ager’s disorder’ as well.

Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that back up why it really pays to be an optimist:

Optimists expect the best

The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, are their own fault.

The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune—it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case.

Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive reinterpretation.’ In other words, they most likely reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try harder.

They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”

Positive expectancies of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.

People respond positively to optimists

Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.

Optimism seems a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.

In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for advice.

When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher

Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.

They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.

Optimists are healthier and live longer

Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease.

Optimists’ health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.

So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.

Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?

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• May 20, 2009 — Impossible is Just a Word
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• May 15, 2009 — Build Your Self Esteem, A Starter Guide To Self Improvement
• May 14, 2009 — What Innovation Can Do to Your Life

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Motivation plays a big role in production and in the long run the success of a company. In fact, the motivation level of the leader or the manager of a company is a crucial factor in the success of any venture, whether it is a social project or a business.

When people are motivated to do something, they are more creative. They are energized to do their jobs and are not easily frustrated. People who have high levels of motivation will be able to work on tasks non-stop and when that is finished, will be able to do other tasks immediately. These are the people that are often called workaholics because they seem to have an endless stream of energy to their jobs.

This the reason why managers often try to motivate their people through various techniques. There are some who go directly and offer monetary rewards while there are others who keep it simple and subtle by promoting employees. But there are other ways to motivate people besides the promise of more money and a higher position. Here are some of them.

1. Praise them
Words of praise especially coming from the boss are incomparable rewards that people will always treasure. Remember that people want to be respected and recognized for their work. When they are praised by the people that they consider their leaders or those that they respect, they will be able to perform better. They will also be happier and their confidence levels will go up. Confident people are more energetic and are more creative because they are more trusting of their abilities. They are not afraid to be vocal about their ideas and are not afraid to take risks.

2. Give them the time
Who does not want to speak with the boss? Giving time for a little chit chat with your employees will give them a sense of belongingness in the company. It will also make them more amenable to your decisions. You should foster an open environment in your office where people can go to you and say anything they want without fear of censure. This is actually great for small companies who are starting up and are in need of fresh ideas.

3. Involve them with the decisions
Another way to motivate your employees is to get them into the votes. This is especially true for major decisions that will involve them or which will factor in their lives. It is important that you also ask them what they think. Giving them the right to say their piece and to vote for something will give them ownership of the business and we know that people tend to perform better or do more for things that they own. Make the business your employees’. Create that feeling of belongingness and oneness. You will have smoothly operating business.

4. Let others know
Posting achievements in a bulletin board will give employees the motivation that they need to strive more. Besides the feeling of competition even if there is none can fuel the blood of some. Let others know of what other people have already achieved. It will set a great example that may be they will be following. 

Other Related Articles…

• May 25, 2009 — How to Increase Your Employees’ Motivation
• May 20, 2009 — How to Motivate People
• May 19, 2009 — How Self-Motivation can Create a Positive Impact on Your Life
• May 15, 2009 — How Motivation can Help People Healthy?
• May 15, 2009 — How can Self-Motivation Help You Save Money?

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Are All Energy Healings the Same?

Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras give ideas on the state of health of individuals. Six colors are associated with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present in an individual but one or two are more pronounced.
    Green – ambitious achiever
    Blue – spiritual peacemaker
    White – unconventional chameleon
    Red – activist
    Orange – creative communicator
    Violet - psychic

Although Tantra is popularly associated with the peculiar practice of sex and spirituality, it is another method of energy healing. It comes from the word “tan” which means to spread or expand. The concept of connectedness is a recurring theme in Tantric writings on sex and spirituality. As a method of healing, spirituality and sex figure prominently. It is presupposed that the union of man and woman can reach spiritual levels during orgasm, which removes the body and mind off collected impurities. These impurities being negative energies can in turn manifest as physical illnesses.

Unlike Pranic and Tantric healings, which have Hindu origins, Reiki originated from Japan. It is relatively younger than Pranic and Tantric healings having been rediscovered in the early 1900’s. Reiki stands for universal energy, an energy brought forth by higher intelligence. Students of Reiki are taught how to tap this energy to heal physical, emotional, and mental illnesses.

Although Pranic, Tantra, and Reiki are all systems of energy healing, they differ in the type of energy tapped for healing: life energy, sexual energy, and universal energy respectively.

The concepts of the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit; the connection of individuals to all living and nonliving things around them and to the universe; and how energy impacts physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are some of the salient similarities of these three healing methods.

Why Do People Turn to Energy Healing?

Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki are considered alternative methods of healing. In spite of the availability and relative accessibility of modern medicine, how come more and more people are being drawned to them? Here are some possible reasons:
   
· Energy healing worked where modern medicine failed.

For several reasons both explainable and unexplainable, modern medical treatment failed to heal ailments and conditions in several if not many persons. Research or data may not be able to support this statement. But for the families of the dying as well as for the dying patient, they would take the risk of using alternative methods ranging from herbals and organics, faith healers, witch doctors, and New Age healing techniques just to be get well.

· People perceive modern medicine to be isolating.

Medical treatments are oftentimes focused on the disease and its causative agent, which can make a patient feel isolated and treated like a mere host of the disease. Although recent developments in hospital practice are gradually promoting the holistic treatment of a patient, the perception still persists. Unlike in energy healing, since energy and spirituality are intimately linked, the patient feels that all aspects of his health are being attended to.

· Energy healing is non-obtrusive and natural thus it is safer.

Repeated surgical procedures are physically and emotionally traumatic for most patients. It is but a logical and attractive option to both patient and families to look for less stressful health interventions. Moreover, with the rising popularity of New Age religions, going natural is the way to go.

· Energy healing is a good way of relieving stress.

Meditation is part and parcel of energy healing methods and this is an added come-on for highly stressed people. Moreover, sophisticated equipment is not required thus it becomes all the more convenient for students and future students of energy healing.

The battle between alternative healing and mainstream medicine continues as both present the benefits of their approach. But in the final analysis, what matters is the restoration of good health.

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• May 15, 2009 — Build Your Self Esteem, A Starter Guide To Self Improvement
• May 14, 2009 — What Innovation Can Do to Your Life

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