- Here is yet another essay I didn't plan on writing. Trees
will not like me for what I share with you later. A college student was
the inspiration for this one.
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- Click, click and double-click. Imagine if you will, how
many times computer mice are clicked in just ONE hour. It would total into
the millions, all around the clock on this planet. Make no mistake about
it - there is a price to pay for this carpal tunnel inducing, mind-numbing
noise.
- And what's the price? Creativity.
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- There is a dichotomy here with computers. These machines
such as the one feeding your mind this very instant have made incredible
things possible for us. Video production is now possible such that almost
anyone can make a semi-professional movie. Stories can be written, and
up-to-date knowledge on any subject is now available with just a few key-stokes
and a few clicks. Computers have also been used to destroy careers, relationships,
marriages and entire families.
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- These machines have been used to start abnormal relationships
in cyberspace, using entirely new rules that negate the need for body language
and true face to face contact. A 2D image on a computer screen is quite
far from the reality of meeting someone in person. Everyone knows that
a computer can be used to create a reality someone wants it to. The person
at the other end of a webcam may not even be the person you think you're
talking to. It could be someone's sister or brother, because you have no
idea the person you're planning to date weighs in the same as the engine
block in your truck.
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- Enough said about what these micro-maddening machines
of mental mayhem can do. But there is far more these machines cannot do,
and these handicaps are hardly recognized by society anymore. Creativity
is one of those intangibles like intellectual property.
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- Computers have stripped the true process of creativity
from almost everyone.
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- When you are faced with solving a problem, the real problem-solving
process first must take place in your head before you can ever type the
first keystroke or click your mouse. If you haven't done this but you have
quickly solved your problem, most likely the solution to your problem was
someone else's idea. There isn't any way around that fact. We must first
ask ourselves do we REALLY want to regurgitate someone else's thoughts?
Most honest people do not.
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- Recently a student I know attending college was faced
with a problem and gave me a call. He has been an avid computer and web
user for over ten years. His teacher's problem requires basic project planning
and problem solving skills. When you open a word processing program or
a spreadsheet program, what do you get? A blank white screen! That screen
in itself is mind-numbing. So many buttons to press! So many possibilities!
What to do? Forget about it for now!
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- Any standard issue yellow note pad with simple blue lines
is far more inspiring than any sterile white screen. And that yellow pad
is far more flexible for bringing out your creativity, too. For some strange
reason, a blank white screen on a laptop can threaten your creativity even
more so.
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- Here was my suggestion: Forget using the computer for
now and follow a few simple steps.
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- This is what I have done for many years when people come
to me for solutions at work, and it's worked quite well. Problem solving
is not unlike building a house. First there is the excavation, then the
basement, crawl space or slab, floor joists, etc...
- ALWAYS take any project, no matter how big, one SMALL
step at a time. That's how I always do things at work.
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- You are developing problem-solving solutions. This is
something that your earlier jobs in life probably never helped you do,
simply because most jobs today don't require people to think anymore. Even
cash registers today tell clerks what the change is, so they will not have
to THINK. And even then they often count it wrong! If you expect less performance
from people, in the end you'll get even less.
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- Problem-solving is a skill used everyday in the professional world.
It's a skill that most people hardly have used since their first attempts
at in high school, because they simply didn't need to use it. People are
VISUAL creatures more than anything. The old expression "Out of sight,
out of mind" is very true when it comes to planning, as well as "One
picture is worth a thousand words."
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- Below are some basic steps yell out "GET OUT OF
THE BOX" which society has stuffed you into without hardly noticing
it. A computer is nothing more than an expensive tool, like a screwdriver
in a tool box. In reality, computers don't solve problems. That's the illusion
everyone has bought into. Internally all a computer can really do is add
numbers together. A $5.00 calculator can do that too.
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- The basic steps to what I call "Gorilla Creativity:"
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- 1. Clear your head of all your worldly problems. Though
this might be difficult, this is absolutely essential to start clear thinking.
- Do whatever it takes to accomplish that. Run around the
block or do exercises until you sweat. Anything that works to clear your
head is good. Beware of caffeine it works for some people but creates
a mental train wreck for others which can take hours to go away. A cluttered
and clogged head cannot and will not be creative, nor will it result in
good solid ideas! Get away from the television, stereo and iPods and ANYTHING
else that makes noise! The incoming audio will only invade your
brain and jam your thoughts. What good is that?
- If no one will give you the peace and quiet you need,
go out to your truck or car with the radio OFF. And turn off your cell
phone. You cannot be creative if in the back of your mind, you expect your
phone to ring right in the middle of a thought. And it will ring - you
can count on it.
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- 2. Define the task that needs to be done. If you have
to, talk to yourself out loud. Who really cares what anyone thinks about
that? Do it anyway! Do whatever it takes to accomplish the planning phase.
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-
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- 3. Start with the smallest possible steps in the project.
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-
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- 4. What software tools will you need for the task? Think
of your computer as a toolbox with every tool you need. Write that all
down, too. You may find that a program you need isn't on your computer,
or in your toolbox.
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-
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- 5. Start outlining on a piece of paper with a No. 2 pencil,
because you can erase it all you want. Don't worry about what it looks
like. It's just a game plan and not the final version anyway. Use double
spacing when writing text. If drawing a diagram or a plan use the center
of the page so you can add plenty of notes around the edges. If you're
making a list of steps, put a small box in front of each number for you
to use as a check box later.
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-
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- 6. After you've outlined what's needed, take a closer
look at each step. In the extra space, write on the paper what tool(s)
you'll use for that step.
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-
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- 7. Now start implementing your game plan just as you
outlined it. Don't worry whatever you may have forgotten TRUST your
cognitive skills to spot it later and correct it later. The important thing
is to GET STARTED NOW! Don't procrastinate!
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-
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- 8. Hang the paper up somewhere if you need to, and check
off each step of your game plan as you do them. Then you won't miss anything!
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- Above all, WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING. Every detail, no matter
how trivial or small it may seem. Use all the sheets of paper you need
to get it all down and staple them together so none will get lost.
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- If do your planning this way you'll be sure to cover
everything. I can promise you that whatever task you need to do will no
longer overwhelm you. Anyone has the skills to do this, but many just need
to develop self-confidence. I've used PERT and other project charting programs,
and nothing really substitutes for doing it on paper FIRST. Charting or
planning software can come later.
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- There is a sketch or outline on paper for EVERY project
I've ever done in my career. Who sees these? No one does, nor do they need
to. Presentation quality materials can come later. I write in the middle,
the margins, anywhere, whatever I want. Every miserable little detail no
matter how small is written down. Even part numbers for parts in the design,
I don't care. I can always clean it up later with a new revised one, which
often happens.
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- Paper is cheap but your thoughts are priceless!
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- A week or several months later when I can finally start
on a project, or after I think it's finished I'll go get out my original
sketches and notes again to review it, to make sure it's exactly what's
needed.
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- Remember what it all boils down to: NO ONE cares HOW
you get a job done, just so long as you get it done!
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- Most people are visually-oriented in nature. It's far
better to have something, anything on paper than trying to pull
everything out of your head from thin air and get it onto a sterile white
screen. When ideas or solutions come to you, they will come in a flurry
and paper and pencil still can't be beat for the speed these simple items
can get it all down. There is a certain "feedback" that takes
place here. If you have a dream at night and get up in the morning and
write it down, the very act of writing it down will transfer it in your
brain from your temporary memory to your permanent memory. Your dream will
be remembered for a long time. The same is true with planning a project.
Something magical happens as you follow the above steps.
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- Instead of 4D-thinking, a computer screen tends to halt
that ability and you start to think only in 2D, because your sterile white
computer screen really is just 2D. That fourth dimension has something
precious and almost intangible it unlocks great depths inside your
imagination to open up almost endless possibilities to solve a problem
or a difficult task. This fourth dimension is actually related to TIME
that is, the amount of time it takes you to record everything for
your project. The longer it takes to do that, the more you'll miss. This
is the reason why simple paper preserves the 4D aspect of creativity.
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- Call me old-fashioned, I don't care. A simple piece of
paper and a pencil is the functional equivalent of an artist with a canvas,
brush and palette. Both are used for creative purposes, whether it's to
sketch a new electronic circuit or mechanical design, lay out a plan for
new software or a new business, or simply paint a picture of a naked 500lb
woman (i.e., an engine block.)
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- I actually have a FISTFUL of No. 2 pencils which I sharpen
now and then. If I'm writing and one gets dull, I need a sharpened one
on hand immediately to keep writing while the creativity is still flowing.
NOTHING should be allowed to interrupt those critical moments for anyone.
Every so often I take my fist-full of pencils to the copier room and sharpen
them with an electric pencil sharpener, almost overheating it.
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- This system I use may not work for everyone. But the
key thing about any system is to implement the FASTEST possible way to
get your thoughts down. Computers are COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE to creative thinking
because of inherent delays. Drop-down menus, typing and mouse-clicking
should all come later, after your game plan is established.
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- THE POWER OF THOUGHT
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- A recent study was announced which revealed some very
interesting news about an Alzheimer's disease study and nuns. As you may
already know, Alzheimer's is a disease that causes the cognitive abilities
in the human brain to reduce with age. Confusion, forgetfulness and trouble
staying organized are some of the symptoms. Of course, stress can cause
similar symptoms too.
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- A number of nuns were autopsied and diagnostically scanned,
and found to have brain pathology showing Alzheimer's disease was riddled
all through their brain. Yet their behavior was found to be quite normal,
simply because they USED their minds all the time. Today's society is encouraging
couch potato behavior, not mental exercise or creativity. Often people
are diagnosed with this disease and warehoused in nursing homes where they
will use their mind even less. Then the disease increases in severity,
and the entire situation feeds upon itself in a downward spiral. Our brains
have an amazing ability to re-wire themselves around defective areas for
many problems, but only if we use our minds. It is that mental stimulation
that causes the re-wiring to take place. Some call it therapy or mental
exercise.
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- JOB INTERVIEWS - THE POWER OF APPEARANCE
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- Remember it's the first impression always count the most.
Many are greatly troubled by their personal situation and problems at home.
But if any of those issues even peek out in your interview, the interviewer
will sense it and your prospect for the job will sink faster than the Titanic.
One must come across as energetic, happy and enthusiastic! Think about
like acting in a movie, because going to a job interview is part knowledge,
part drama. In a job market where 10,000 people apply for just a handful
of jobs, people need every edge they can think of to stand out. Recently
a job for a software engineer was advertised. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY RESUMES
poured in - over a span of just three days.
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- Twenty people may show up for one job position.
All are well qualified. All but one of them dress as though they are going
to a weekend picnic. One is dressed like a professional. Guess who will
get the job? Borrow the right clothing to wear if you have to. Once
you're hired, formal attire is rarely an issue today. A job interview
has always been about making the very best first impression humanly possible,
as well as being qualified for the job.
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- Ted Twietmeyer
- www.data4science.net
- tedtw@frontiernet.net
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