Perceptual change?
By altering our perception of a problem, we can open ourselves to new possibilities. This may involve reframing the problem, viewing it from a different perspective or considering alternative interpretations.
Uber realised that the duration of a passenger’s wait until pickup is less important than the quality of that wait. By allowing passengers to track their approaching driver on a map radically reduces stress.
Random input?
Introducing elements of randomness can stimulate creativity by breaking down patterns and introducing unexpected connections. This could involve brainstorming without censorship, allowing ideas to flow freely or using tools like word association or mind maps.
Provocation?
Deliberately challenging assumptions and established beliefs can trigger new ideas. This may involve questioning the rules of the game, seeking out dissenting opinions or employing thought experiments.
Airbnb’s founders successfully challenged the assumption that people would not be happy to have total strangers staying in their home.
Potential Opening?
Posing hypothetical or paradoxical questions can disrupt conventional thinking and spark new ideas. This could involve asking What if? or Why not? or considering counterfactual scenarios.
Thinking hats?
It is not unusual to be asked, Which hat are you wearing? Not a literal question, but one which seeks to identify the perspective that will be taken. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats method encourages us to adopt different perspectives by assigning six distinct hats, each representing a specific mode of thought: White Hat (facts), Red Hat (feelings), Black Hat (negatives), Yellow Hat (positives), Green Hat (creativity) and Blue Hat (process management).
Simplifying a problem?
You can do this by focusing on the essential parts of a problem or chunking a problem down into smaller parts.
Consult with others?
If functional fixedness leaves you feeling stuck, consulting with others to gather knowledge or hear different perspectives can help you overcome the feeling.
Take a break?
Solving a problem can be a complex task. If you have the time to take a break and return to the problem, this can give you a fresh perspective.
Find new inspiration?
Finding inspiration from unexpected places or sources can help you find solutions.
Magnus Carlsen Chess Thinking?
Step 1: Take a tactical position. Memorize the board.
Step 2: Find an optimal line 4+ moves deep against move A. Memorize the board.
Step 3:Find another optimal line 4+ moves deep against move B. Memorize the board.
Step 4: Recall board A, Compare to board B. Figure out which position is better and play the optimal move.
