WHAT IS GIANT?
The meaning of giant may means different things to different people. The Complete Christian Dictionary defined Giant as “a huge person with great strength. A person with great ability or importance”.
On the other hand, the Oxford Learner's Dictionary defined Giant as “a very large strong person who is often cruel and stupid”.
Spiritually speaking, giants stand for the great difficulties or problems a man face in life. Each Christians will meet giant problems in their academic journey, marital journey, church, social life, job, ministry, even in your heart.
When you are moving forward you will meet giants, when you about to be promoted you will meet giants. Anytime anywhere when man wants to cross to next level must ready to fight giant. The Israelites found giants when they want to posses their land of promise. God had commanded the Israelites to destroy these giants and other inhabitants of the land completely, because He knew that they will become problems and obstacles for them in the future. But they disobeyed this warning. And these giants became problems, thorns and snares for them (Judges 2:1-3).
The commanded given to them is to destroy them completely, but they only destroyed few and left others. The little giants that left became great snares for them. Partial obedience is disobedience.
The little giants you allow to remain grow in your life will sure overcome and ride on you if care is not taking now. Goliath is the giants that the Israelites spare became their master for good forty days. Giants beget giants. Sin begets sin. A little sin allows to rules your life will sure become snares and thorns in your endeavor.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
IN SEARCH OF PURPOSE 5
HOW TO FULFILL YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE
There are 3 major keys you need to fulfill your purpose. They are:
1. Dependence on God
This is the state of needing the help and support of God in order to survive or be successful. It refers to trusting the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3; NLT)
Stop leading yourself; let God lead you. Stop being the alpha and omega of your decisions; let God guide you. If you want to fulfill your God-given purpose, you must take the back seat and let God drive you. (Mark 1:12)
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walked to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23; KJV)
2. Obedience God.
To obey is to do ‘hat you are told or expected to do. It is simple, common sense to know that you cannot disobey God and expect His plans for your life to be fulfilled. You have to cooperate with Him. Obey His Word. Obey whatever He tells you.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4; KJV)
Obedience always attracts blessings but disobedience brings curses. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28
3. Patience for God
It is not enough to depend on God and obey Him; without patience you will truncate Gods will for your life. Many have married the wrong people, landed in trouble and even lost their lives because of impatience. They just couldn’t wait any longer and, they paid dearly for it.
For ye have need of patience, that, after e have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36; KJV)
Abraham, the father of faith, nearly failed in God’s purpose for his life because he became impatient. Although God’s will eventually came to pass, the product of his impatience is still a thorn in the flesh of his miracle- child even after thousands of years. God may not do it when you expect Him to but please though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3b.
Next week, by the grace of God, we will continue in our search for purpose
Considering Destiny Relationships that are vital for the fulfillment of Purpose. Till then, stay blessed. FADEHAN ADEDEM
There are 3 major keys you need to fulfill your purpose. They are:
1. Dependence on God
This is the state of needing the help and support of God in order to survive or be successful. It refers to trusting the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3; NLT)
Stop leading yourself; let God lead you. Stop being the alpha and omega of your decisions; let God guide you. If you want to fulfill your God-given purpose, you must take the back seat and let God drive you. (Mark 1:12)
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walked to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23; KJV)
2. Obedience God.
To obey is to do ‘hat you are told or expected to do. It is simple, common sense to know that you cannot disobey God and expect His plans for your life to be fulfilled. You have to cooperate with Him. Obey His Word. Obey whatever He tells you.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4; KJV)
Obedience always attracts blessings but disobedience brings curses. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28
3. Patience for God
It is not enough to depend on God and obey Him; without patience you will truncate Gods will for your life. Many have married the wrong people, landed in trouble and even lost their lives because of impatience. They just couldn’t wait any longer and, they paid dearly for it.
For ye have need of patience, that, after e have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36; KJV)
Abraham, the father of faith, nearly failed in God’s purpose for his life because he became impatient. Although God’s will eventually came to pass, the product of his impatience is still a thorn in the flesh of his miracle- child even after thousands of years. God may not do it when you expect Him to but please though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3b.
Next week, by the grace of God, we will continue in our search for purpose
Considering Destiny Relationships that are vital for the fulfillment of Purpose. Till then, stay blessed. FADEHAN ADEDEM
IN SERACH FOR A PURPOSE 4
IN SEARCH OF PURPOSE 4
How are you? Hope you are fine. The other time we considered the manual and its importance in the discovery of purpose. I believe you were blessed. Let’s continue our journey today by considering this portion of the Scriptures.
I know my plans towards you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11; NIV)
STEPS TO DISCOVERING GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
1. Realize you were created for a purpose.
‘Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:llb; KJV) .
2. Recognize also that God has incredible plans for you.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for theth that love him. (1
Corinthians 2:9; KJV)
3. Pray and keep praying for God to reveal the purpose and plans He has for you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that ask received; and he that seek find; and to him that knock it shall be opened: (Matthew 7:7-8; KJV)
4. Be obsessed and extremely passionate about His purpose and plans.
“You will find me if you seek me with all your heart (when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else),”
5. Get busy loving God, knowing Him and serving Him.
But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [ that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who lbve Him [ hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him arid, gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. (1 Corinthians 2:9; Amplified)
I hope you’ve been blessed and inspired. By the grace of God, we will consider vital keys that are necessary for the fulfillment of purpose next week. I pray that the Lord will perfect that which concerns you’in Jesus name.
Till then, remain blessed..
ADEDEJI FADEHAN
How are you? Hope you are fine. The other time we considered the manual and its importance in the discovery of purpose. I believe you were blessed. Let’s continue our journey today by considering this portion of the Scriptures.
I know my plans towards you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11; NIV)
STEPS TO DISCOVERING GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
1. Realize you were created for a purpose.
‘Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:llb; KJV) .
2. Recognize also that God has incredible plans for you.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for theth that love him. (1
Corinthians 2:9; KJV)
3. Pray and keep praying for God to reveal the purpose and plans He has for you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that ask received; and he that seek find; and to him that knock it shall be opened: (Matthew 7:7-8; KJV)
4. Be obsessed and extremely passionate about His purpose and plans.
“You will find me if you seek me with all your heart (when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else),”
5. Get busy loving God, knowing Him and serving Him.
But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [ that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who lbve Him [ hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him arid, gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. (1 Corinthians 2:9; Amplified)
I hope you’ve been blessed and inspired. By the grace of God, we will consider vital keys that are necessary for the fulfillment of purpose next week. I pray that the Lord will perfect that which concerns you’in Jesus name.
Till then, remain blessed..
ADEDEJI FADEHAN
IN SEARCH FOR A PURPOSE 3
Discovering purpose is not as difficult as most people think. In fact, it is very simple. If give you a gadget whose functions and purpose you don’t know as a gift, what would you do? Are you going to throw it away or simply abandon it? I don’t think so. The wisest and simplest thing for you to do is to refer to the manual. The gadget’s manual would clearly explain its purpose and functions. You may know practically nothing about the gadget initially but by the time you are through with the manual, you would have clearly understood its purpose and how to use it.
Just like every gadget has a manual, every one of us a manual. This manual was written by our manufacturer (God) so that we might find purpose and understand how to live our lives. This manual is not in Heaven or somewhere far away. It is always available and accessible. I’m referring to the Bible. Yes! The Bible is more than a religious book. It is God’s manual for your life.
Most of us barely read the manuals that accompany our gadgets because we usually consider it unnecessary to do so and we learn to use our gadgets by trial and error. The only time we refer to a gadget's manual is when we find it difficult to understand a particular function. This does not only amount to us shortchanging ourselves, it sometimes lead to the destruction of these gadgets. People spend money and time trying to fix things that could have been avoided if the gadgets’ manuals have been read in the first place.
Most of us barely read the Bible too. We usually don’t see a need for it or like we sometimes say “we are too busy”. Consequently, we live our lives by trial and error. We run our lives the way we like and we say “it’s my life”. No! It’s not your life. It’s a trust you will account for at the end of the day. It’s a soft loan. Just like a trustee does not use a property in his care the way he likes, you are not permitted to use your life the way you like. You must use it the way the owner (God) wants.
The reason many people spend money, time, tears and pains trying to fix their health, businesses, marriages and homes is that they ignore God's manual. Many sicknesses, marital problems, business failures and sudden death would have been avoided if adequate attention had been paid to God's manual - the Bible.
The Bible is more than you think it is. It is more than a book of religious creeds. It is a book that contains the answers to all questions and the solutions to all problems. The Bible contains everything you need to have a blissful time both here on earth and in heaven. Through it, I’ve learn to live above sicknesses and diseases. Challenges come but they don’t overcome! The Bible is beyond description. I never knew until I began devoting attention to it. Oh! How I wish everybody knows this truth. It would make the world a much better place. We will continue our search for purpose next week but till then keep reading the manual. BY ADEDEJI FADEHAN
Just like every gadget has a manual, every one of us a manual. This manual was written by our manufacturer (God) so that we might find purpose and understand how to live our lives. This manual is not in Heaven or somewhere far away. It is always available and accessible. I’m referring to the Bible. Yes! The Bible is more than a religious book. It is God’s manual for your life.
Most of us barely read the manuals that accompany our gadgets because we usually consider it unnecessary to do so and we learn to use our gadgets by trial and error. The only time we refer to a gadget's manual is when we find it difficult to understand a particular function. This does not only amount to us shortchanging ourselves, it sometimes lead to the destruction of these gadgets. People spend money and time trying to fix things that could have been avoided if the gadgets’ manuals have been read in the first place.
Most of us barely read the Bible too. We usually don’t see a need for it or like we sometimes say “we are too busy”. Consequently, we live our lives by trial and error. We run our lives the way we like and we say “it’s my life”. No! It’s not your life. It’s a trust you will account for at the end of the day. It’s a soft loan. Just like a trustee does not use a property in his care the way he likes, you are not permitted to use your life the way you like. You must use it the way the owner (God) wants.
The reason many people spend money, time, tears and pains trying to fix their health, businesses, marriages and homes is that they ignore God's manual. Many sicknesses, marital problems, business failures and sudden death would have been avoided if adequate attention had been paid to God's manual - the Bible.
The Bible is more than you think it is. It is more than a book of religious creeds. It is a book that contains the answers to all questions and the solutions to all problems. The Bible contains everything you need to have a blissful time both here on earth and in heaven. Through it, I’ve learn to live above sicknesses and diseases. Challenges come but they don’t overcome! The Bible is beyond description. I never knew until I began devoting attention to it. Oh! How I wish everybody knows this truth. It would make the world a much better place. We will continue our search for purpose next week but till then keep reading the manual. BY ADEDEJI FADEHAN
Sunday, October 25, 2009
IN SEARCH FOR A PURPOSE 2
IN SEARCH OF PURPOSE 2
In last edition I drew your attention to the divine choices made on your behalf and how they go a long way in defining the real you. I also took a step in awakening your awareness to the fact that God does nothing without a purpose. This implies that the choices He made for you without consulting you actually help a great deal in unraveling the very purpose behind your existence. In other words, God deliberately chose your parents, siblings, race, nationality, talents, birth date etc, because of what was on His mind when He created you- His plans.
You are not a product of mass production so to speak. You are custom-made. God didn’t create you with the mass. It took Him quality time to craft and wire you. He paid detailed attention to even the minutest details of your life. Your height, gender, complexion, etc are actually the best for you.
Your parents might not be as good as they should be but they are the best for your life and destiny. Why? God chose them for you because He loves you with an unimaginable love and because they are the most ideal for your life and destiny. “You don’t know my father; if you did you won’t talk like this”. I don’t need to know your father. You are the one that needs to know that The Father made that man your father because he is the best for you. Oh! How I wish you understand this mystery.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV)
Irrespective of the circumstances that led to your birth- teenage pregnancy, rape, illicit affair, etc- you came into this world at the right time and in the right way. Ha! Are you endorsing all these social ills? No! What I’m attempting to show you is that even if the circumstances that led to your birth are wrong, you are right! That was why I referred to this as a mystery. It is the mystery of creation! Contrary to societal perceptions, there is no one who is an illegitimate child. All of us, regardless of how we were born, are legitimate. We are all masterpieces of God created to show forth His glory.
Abraham’s father was a pagan; yet he became the father of faith. Jephthah was a product of prostitution (Judges 11:1); yet he became a mighty warrior and Judge in Israel. David was an outcast; yet he became the best king Israel ever had. Solomon was born out of wedlock; yet he became the wisest and richest man of all time.
I prophesy into your life that irrespective of the circumstances of your birth, your family or background, you will become everything God wants you to be in Jesus name. I wish I could continue to show you these things but I will continue next edition.
ADEDEJI FADEHAN
In last edition I drew your attention to the divine choices made on your behalf and how they go a long way in defining the real you. I also took a step in awakening your awareness to the fact that God does nothing without a purpose. This implies that the choices He made for you without consulting you actually help a great deal in unraveling the very purpose behind your existence. In other words, God deliberately chose your parents, siblings, race, nationality, talents, birth date etc, because of what was on His mind when He created you- His plans.
You are not a product of mass production so to speak. You are custom-made. God didn’t create you with the mass. It took Him quality time to craft and wire you. He paid detailed attention to even the minutest details of your life. Your height, gender, complexion, etc are actually the best for you.
Your parents might not be as good as they should be but they are the best for your life and destiny. Why? God chose them for you because He loves you with an unimaginable love and because they are the most ideal for your life and destiny. “You don’t know my father; if you did you won’t talk like this”. I don’t need to know your father. You are the one that needs to know that The Father made that man your father because he is the best for you. Oh! How I wish you understand this mystery.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV)
Irrespective of the circumstances that led to your birth- teenage pregnancy, rape, illicit affair, etc- you came into this world at the right time and in the right way. Ha! Are you endorsing all these social ills? No! What I’m attempting to show you is that even if the circumstances that led to your birth are wrong, you are right! That was why I referred to this as a mystery. It is the mystery of creation! Contrary to societal perceptions, there is no one who is an illegitimate child. All of us, regardless of how we were born, are legitimate. We are all masterpieces of God created to show forth His glory.
Abraham’s father was a pagan; yet he became the father of faith. Jephthah was a product of prostitution (Judges 11:1); yet he became a mighty warrior and Judge in Israel. David was an outcast; yet he became the best king Israel ever had. Solomon was born out of wedlock; yet he became the wisest and richest man of all time.
I prophesy into your life that irrespective of the circumstances of your birth, your family or background, you will become everything God wants you to be in Jesus name. I wish I could continue to show you these things but I will continue next edition.
ADEDEJI FADEHAN
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
IN SEARCH OF A PURPOSE 1
IN SEARCH OF PURPOSE (PART 1)
Has it ever occurred to you that you never chose your sex, race, nationality, family, complexion, height, etc? Are you aware that these things define who you are? Yet, you were never part of the decision-making process that let) to these definitive features of your life. Hope you also know that regardless of who you are or where you are from, you are only going to be in this life once. You are not coming back! The next place after here is eternity — Heaven or Hell.
The choices a father makes for his child without consulting him go a long way in revealing the plans that father has for his child.
God is our Father and our Creator. He made some vital choices for us without any consultation with us. He didn’t do this because He is bossy or dictatorial. He did so because of His plans for us which are rooted in His love. His love for us is incomprehensible. It is incredible! He loves us so much He chose to die for us. Believe me, even if you were the only human on earth, God would have still died for you. Yes! He loves you more than you can ever know. Nevertheless, my concern today is not His love but the expression of His love — HIS PLANS. God has wonderful plans for you. They are too colorful for your imagination to grasp.
“For I know the plans I have for you. “ declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11: NIV)
God, because of His plans, made some vital choices for you. He chose your sex, race, nationality, tribe, parents, siblings, talents, temperament, etc. He even chose the time of your birth. These choices are nothing but expressions of the plans He has for you. They are secret codes that contain vital information about why you were created in the first place. They go a long way in revealing what He had on His mind when He created you. God has .a purpose for making you Black and not White, Nigerian and not American, Male and not Female, etc. All these are based on Divine Calculation!
Believe it or not, God has specific reasons for creating you and your fulfillment lies in discovering and walking in God’s purpose for your life. Why was I born into my family? Why am I the firstborn? Why am I the only daughter of my parents? These and many more are the questions you must begin to ask God in prayer. Remember, only the manufacturer knows the intimate details of his product.
“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in an hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand)” Jeremiah 33:3, AMP
I have a lot to share with you along this line but I will continue next week because of time and space constraints. If you desire to know God’s purpose for your life, this series is for you. Please, don’t miss any of the editions. By ADEDEJI FADEHAN
Has it ever occurred to you that you never chose your sex, race, nationality, family, complexion, height, etc? Are you aware that these things define who you are? Yet, you were never part of the decision-making process that let) to these definitive features of your life. Hope you also know that regardless of who you are or where you are from, you are only going to be in this life once. You are not coming back! The next place after here is eternity — Heaven or Hell.
The choices a father makes for his child without consulting him go a long way in revealing the plans that father has for his child.
God is our Father and our Creator. He made some vital choices for us without any consultation with us. He didn’t do this because He is bossy or dictatorial. He did so because of His plans for us which are rooted in His love. His love for us is incomprehensible. It is incredible! He loves us so much He chose to die for us. Believe me, even if you were the only human on earth, God would have still died for you. Yes! He loves you more than you can ever know. Nevertheless, my concern today is not His love but the expression of His love — HIS PLANS. God has wonderful plans for you. They are too colorful for your imagination to grasp.
“For I know the plans I have for you. “ declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11: NIV)
God, because of His plans, made some vital choices for you. He chose your sex, race, nationality, tribe, parents, siblings, talents, temperament, etc. He even chose the time of your birth. These choices are nothing but expressions of the plans He has for you. They are secret codes that contain vital information about why you were created in the first place. They go a long way in revealing what He had on His mind when He created you. God has .a purpose for making you Black and not White, Nigerian and not American, Male and not Female, etc. All these are based on Divine Calculation!
Believe it or not, God has specific reasons for creating you and your fulfillment lies in discovering and walking in God’s purpose for your life. Why was I born into my family? Why am I the firstborn? Why am I the only daughter of my parents? These and many more are the questions you must begin to ask God in prayer. Remember, only the manufacturer knows the intimate details of his product.
“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in an hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand)” Jeremiah 33:3, AMP
I have a lot to share with you along this line but I will continue next week because of time and space constraints. If you desire to know God’s purpose for your life, this series is for you. Please, don’t miss any of the editions. By ADEDEJI FADEHAN
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
10 Life and Money Lessons Learned from Immigrant Parents
My parents were both born in Southern Italy where unemployment is high and quality of life is superb. My mother, Annunziata, made it to the 7th grade and my father, Tommaso, has the equivalent of a technical high school diploma. Both of my parents immigrated to the US in 1975 and are currently debt free, own their own two-family home, and have plenty of cash in savings. They are, in many ways, leading the American dream – by not adopting the principles of American consumerism.
My parents have taught me many lessons about saving money and leading a high quality life via being practical, but the following ten lessons were most influential in shaping how I lead my life as a thirty-something today. Some of the lessons are what would be described as old school and some may be overly simplistic, but the hard truth is that each lesson works!
Lesson 1: "Save like you have no job and 6 mouths to feed."
For my parents, saving was akin to a religion. They didn't save 10 or 20 percent of their paycheck; rather they saved close to half of their take home pay. I suspect the urge to save is an instinctual feeling for many recent immigrants who arrive in a new country with no job and no home. The ability to save such a large percentage of what they made was dependent on controlling how much they spent each week. If you live well below your means you can save a large percentage of your weekly income.
Lesson 2: "Look for non-material ways to feel rich."
My parents have never owned a fancy car or purchased luxury clothes or items. My parents hardly dine out or buy pre-cooked or packaged food. Rather, Annunziata and Tommaso find true fulfillment in family, great food, wine, and visiting the country where they were born. My parents appreciate nice, material things, but they are not defined or fulfilled via acquiring the aforementioned things.
Lesson 3: "Use your network for help."
This means finding an uncle who does plumbing and a cousin who is a paralegal at a law firm. My parent’s family network has helped me, personally, with home improvement, legal advice, emergency situations (taking care of babies or a ride to the hospital), etc. If I had to pay a stranger every time I needed something done in my life, I would not only be broke, but I would lack real friends and family. The real life lesson here is to nurture family relationships and not rush to pay someone to do something for you. (There are other ways to reward people without a large check).
Lesson 4: “What’s a credit card?”
If you look at my dad’s wallet on a typical day it would resemble George Costanza’s wallet from Seinfeld – full of notes and papers and a good amount of cash. My father pays for everything in cash, and if he doesn’t have the cash, he will either not purchase the item or go to the bank and take out money. My parents have had very little credit card activity over the last 30 years, and I think it’s a key component to their practical lifestyle – (that is to say, you can’t buy stuff if you don’t have the cash!).
Lesson 5: “You can’t count on your job – always have other sources of income.”
My parents bought a two family home shortly after arriving in the US. The logic behind purchasing a two family home centered on having a monthly reoccurring revenue stream outside of a normal job. Sure, they would have liked a single family home with a larger yard and without constant maintenance in their rental unit, but they like the cash more! Do you have cash coming in every month outside of your normal job? If not, you may not be as financially secure as you think you are!
Lessons 6: “Do it yourself.”
My parents are both incredibly crafty. My dad performs his own car repairs, produces homemade wine, renovates his own home (including plumbing and electrical), cuts his own grass, and more. My mother makes all of her own food, cans tomatoes and vegetables, sews, cleans, and grows and tends a garden, among many other things. My parents have often told me that if the world were to fall into disrepair they would have no problem living their life. (They are independent and self sufficient).
Lesson 7: “Trust your family, be wary of everyone else.”
This may sound like a line out of the Godfather, but the fact that American society is based on a capitalist operating principle will motivate everyone from the shop owner to the general contractor to make as much money as possible from you, and there are no safety nets when it comes to preserving the wealth you’ve worked hard to acquire. This life lesson is akin to former Intel CEO Andy Groove’s line: “Only the Paranoid Survive.”
Lesson 8: “You are not defined by your job or fame.”
A job or career usually defines most adults in Anglo-Saxon cultures. Ask any typical American about their life, and the narrative usually centers on their work or job. If you ask the typical person from Southern Italy about their life, they’ll tell you stories about their family, homeland, last name, daughters, sons, food they grow, or wine they make. (I swear this isn’t connected to the high unemployment rate.) My parents are defined by who they are and not the job they do for someone else or the amount of money in their paycheck each week. This is a powerful principle to live by, and once you truly embrace it, the byproduct can be quite liberating.
Lesson 9: “Think big picture.”
Do you ever become overwhelmed by a problem you can’t, for the life of you, see past the immediate future? Maybe you’re worried about your job or if little Timmy will get accepted to Harvard in a few years, for example? These are illustrations of “small picture” thinking, and it can handicap many individuals from getting through tough moments in their life. Like many immigrants, my parents had to somehow block out the immediacy of not having much when they arrived in the US, in order think long term about the type of life they would someday lead.
Lesson 10: “Ignore your neighbors.”
I’m convinced that many individuals lead their life according to the goings-on of their neighbors. For example, if Doris next door leases a shiny new German sedan, you may be compelled to question the worth or legitimacy of your 10-year-old Ford sitting in the driveway. If, by the miracle of home refinancing, Doris adds another 800 square feet to her over-leveraged center hall colonial, you may all of sudden feel cramped in your tiny Cape-Cod-style home. What is my parents’ opinion of neighborhood goings-on? Make friends, and be a good neighbor, but don’t follow the neighbor into debt and materialism.
By: This is a guest post from Vince Scordo. Check out these other great articles from Scordo.com
My parents have taught me many lessons about saving money and leading a high quality life via being practical, but the following ten lessons were most influential in shaping how I lead my life as a thirty-something today. Some of the lessons are what would be described as old school and some may be overly simplistic, but the hard truth is that each lesson works!
Lesson 1: "Save like you have no job and 6 mouths to feed."
For my parents, saving was akin to a religion. They didn't save 10 or 20 percent of their paycheck; rather they saved close to half of their take home pay. I suspect the urge to save is an instinctual feeling for many recent immigrants who arrive in a new country with no job and no home. The ability to save such a large percentage of what they made was dependent on controlling how much they spent each week. If you live well below your means you can save a large percentage of your weekly income.
Lesson 2: "Look for non-material ways to feel rich."
My parents have never owned a fancy car or purchased luxury clothes or items. My parents hardly dine out or buy pre-cooked or packaged food. Rather, Annunziata and Tommaso find true fulfillment in family, great food, wine, and visiting the country where they were born. My parents appreciate nice, material things, but they are not defined or fulfilled via acquiring the aforementioned things.
Lesson 3: "Use your network for help."
This means finding an uncle who does plumbing and a cousin who is a paralegal at a law firm. My parent’s family network has helped me, personally, with home improvement, legal advice, emergency situations (taking care of babies or a ride to the hospital), etc. If I had to pay a stranger every time I needed something done in my life, I would not only be broke, but I would lack real friends and family. The real life lesson here is to nurture family relationships and not rush to pay someone to do something for you. (There are other ways to reward people without a large check).
Lesson 4: “What’s a credit card?”
If you look at my dad’s wallet on a typical day it would resemble George Costanza’s wallet from Seinfeld – full of notes and papers and a good amount of cash. My father pays for everything in cash, and if he doesn’t have the cash, he will either not purchase the item or go to the bank and take out money. My parents have had very little credit card activity over the last 30 years, and I think it’s a key component to their practical lifestyle – (that is to say, you can’t buy stuff if you don’t have the cash!).
Lesson 5: “You can’t count on your job – always have other sources of income.”
My parents bought a two family home shortly after arriving in the US. The logic behind purchasing a two family home centered on having a monthly reoccurring revenue stream outside of a normal job. Sure, they would have liked a single family home with a larger yard and without constant maintenance in their rental unit, but they like the cash more! Do you have cash coming in every month outside of your normal job? If not, you may not be as financially secure as you think you are!
Lessons 6: “Do it yourself.”
My parents are both incredibly crafty. My dad performs his own car repairs, produces homemade wine, renovates his own home (including plumbing and electrical), cuts his own grass, and more. My mother makes all of her own food, cans tomatoes and vegetables, sews, cleans, and grows and tends a garden, among many other things. My parents have often told me that if the world were to fall into disrepair they would have no problem living their life. (They are independent and self sufficient).
Lesson 7: “Trust your family, be wary of everyone else.”
This may sound like a line out of the Godfather, but the fact that American society is based on a capitalist operating principle will motivate everyone from the shop owner to the general contractor to make as much money as possible from you, and there are no safety nets when it comes to preserving the wealth you’ve worked hard to acquire. This life lesson is akin to former Intel CEO Andy Groove’s line: “Only the Paranoid Survive.”
Lesson 8: “You are not defined by your job or fame.”
A job or career usually defines most adults in Anglo-Saxon cultures. Ask any typical American about their life, and the narrative usually centers on their work or job. If you ask the typical person from Southern Italy about their life, they’ll tell you stories about their family, homeland, last name, daughters, sons, food they grow, or wine they make. (I swear this isn’t connected to the high unemployment rate.) My parents are defined by who they are and not the job they do for someone else or the amount of money in their paycheck each week. This is a powerful principle to live by, and once you truly embrace it, the byproduct can be quite liberating.
Lesson 9: “Think big picture.”
Do you ever become overwhelmed by a problem you can’t, for the life of you, see past the immediate future? Maybe you’re worried about your job or if little Timmy will get accepted to Harvard in a few years, for example? These are illustrations of “small picture” thinking, and it can handicap many individuals from getting through tough moments in their life. Like many immigrants, my parents had to somehow block out the immediacy of not having much when they arrived in the US, in order think long term about the type of life they would someday lead.
Lesson 10: “Ignore your neighbors.”
I’m convinced that many individuals lead their life according to the goings-on of their neighbors. For example, if Doris next door leases a shiny new German sedan, you may be compelled to question the worth or legitimacy of your 10-year-old Ford sitting in the driveway. If, by the miracle of home refinancing, Doris adds another 800 square feet to her over-leveraged center hall colonial, you may all of sudden feel cramped in your tiny Cape-Cod-style home. What is my parents’ opinion of neighborhood goings-on? Make friends, and be a good neighbor, but don’t follow the neighbor into debt and materialism.
By: This is a guest post from Vince Scordo. Check out these other great articles from Scordo.com
SELF IMPROVEMENT AND SUCCESS
Introduction:
Everything that happens to us happens in purpose. And sometimes, one thing leads to another. Instead of locking yourself up in your cage of fears and crying over past heartaches, embarrassment and failures, treat them as your teachers and they will become your tools in both self improvement and success.
I remember watching Patch Adams – its my favorite movie, actually. Its one great film that will help you improve yourself. Hunter “patch” Adams is a medical student who failed to make it through the board exams. After months of suffering in melancholy, depression and suicidal attempts – he decided to seek for medical attention and voluntarily admitted himself in a psychiatric ward. His months of stay in the hospital led him to meeting different kinds of people. Sick people in that matter. He met a catatonic, a mentally retarded, a schizophrenic and so on. Patch found ways of treating his own ailment and finally realized he has to get back on track. He woke up one morning realizing that after all the failure and pains he has gone through, he still want to become the a doctor. He carries with himself a positive attitude that brought him self improvement and success. He didn’t only improved himself, but also the life of the people around him and the quality of life. Did he succeed? Needless to say, he became the best damn doctor his country has ever known.
So, when does self improvement become synonymous with success? Where do we start? Take these tips, friends…
*Stop thinking and feeling as if you’re a failure, because you’re not. How can others accept you if YOU can’t accept YOU?
*When you see hunks and models on TV, think more on self improvement, not self pitying. Self acceptance is not just about having nice slender legs, or great abs. Concentrate on inner beauty.
*When people feel so down and low about themselves, help them move up. Don’t go down with them. They’ll pull you down further and both of you will end up feeling inferior.
*The world is a large room for lessons, not mistakes. Don’t feel stupid and doomed forever just because you failed on a science quiz. There’s always a next time. Make rooms for self improvement.
*Take things one at a time. You don’t expect black sheep’s to be goody-two-shoes in just a snap of a finger. Self improvement is a one day at a time process.
*Self improvement results to inner stability, personality development and dig this …. SUCCESS. It comes from self confidence, self appreciation and self esteem.
* Set meaningful and achievable goals. Self improvement doesn’t turn you to be the exact replica of Cameron Diaz or Ralph Fiennes. It hopes and aims to result to an improved and better YOU.
*Little things mean BIG to other people. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the little things that we do like a pat on the back, saying “hi” or “hello”, greeting someone “good day” or telling Mr. Smith something like “hey, I love your tie!” are simple things that mean so much to other people. When we’re being appreciative about beautiful things around us and other people, we also become beautiful to them.
*When you’re willing to accept change and go through the process of self improvement, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. The world is a place where people of different values and attitude hang out. Sometimes, even if you think you and your best friend always like to do the same thing together at the same time, she would most likely decline an invitation for self improvement.
We should always remember that there’s no such thing as ‘over night success’. Its always a wonderful feeling to hold on to the things that you already have now, realizing that those are just one of the things you once wished for. A very nice quote says that “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We are all here to learn our lessons. Our parents, school teachers, friends, colleagues, officemates, neighbors… they are our teachers. When we open our doors for self improvement, we increase our chances to head to the road of success.
http:mikoas.ning.com
Everything that happens to us happens in purpose. And sometimes, one thing leads to another. Instead of locking yourself up in your cage of fears and crying over past heartaches, embarrassment and failures, treat them as your teachers and they will become your tools in both self improvement and success.
I remember watching Patch Adams – its my favorite movie, actually. Its one great film that will help you improve yourself. Hunter “patch” Adams is a medical student who failed to make it through the board exams. After months of suffering in melancholy, depression and suicidal attempts – he decided to seek for medical attention and voluntarily admitted himself in a psychiatric ward. His months of stay in the hospital led him to meeting different kinds of people. Sick people in that matter. He met a catatonic, a mentally retarded, a schizophrenic and so on. Patch found ways of treating his own ailment and finally realized he has to get back on track. He woke up one morning realizing that after all the failure and pains he has gone through, he still want to become the a doctor. He carries with himself a positive attitude that brought him self improvement and success. He didn’t only improved himself, but also the life of the people around him and the quality of life. Did he succeed? Needless to say, he became the best damn doctor his country has ever known.
So, when does self improvement become synonymous with success? Where do we start? Take these tips, friends…
*Stop thinking and feeling as if you’re a failure, because you’re not. How can others accept you if YOU can’t accept YOU?
*When you see hunks and models on TV, think more on self improvement, not self pitying. Self acceptance is not just about having nice slender legs, or great abs. Concentrate on inner beauty.
*When people feel so down and low about themselves, help them move up. Don’t go down with them. They’ll pull you down further and both of you will end up feeling inferior.
*The world is a large room for lessons, not mistakes. Don’t feel stupid and doomed forever just because you failed on a science quiz. There’s always a next time. Make rooms for self improvement.
*Take things one at a time. You don’t expect black sheep’s to be goody-two-shoes in just a snap of a finger. Self improvement is a one day at a time process.
*Self improvement results to inner stability, personality development and dig this …. SUCCESS. It comes from self confidence, self appreciation and self esteem.
* Set meaningful and achievable goals. Self improvement doesn’t turn you to be the exact replica of Cameron Diaz or Ralph Fiennes. It hopes and aims to result to an improved and better YOU.
*Little things mean BIG to other people. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the little things that we do like a pat on the back, saying “hi” or “hello”, greeting someone “good day” or telling Mr. Smith something like “hey, I love your tie!” are simple things that mean so much to other people. When we’re being appreciative about beautiful things around us and other people, we also become beautiful to them.
*When you’re willing to accept change and go through the process of self improvement, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. The world is a place where people of different values and attitude hang out. Sometimes, even if you think you and your best friend always like to do the same thing together at the same time, she would most likely decline an invitation for self improvement.
We should always remember that there’s no such thing as ‘over night success’. Its always a wonderful feeling to hold on to the things that you already have now, realizing that those are just one of the things you once wished for. A very nice quote says that “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We are all here to learn our lessons. Our parents, school teachers, friends, colleagues, officemates, neighbors… they are our teachers. When we open our doors for self improvement, we increase our chances to head to the road of success.
http:mikoas.ning.com
TAKE THE RISK AND ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS
Life is About Choices and the Decisions We Make
Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. In our life many roads would come our way as we journey through life. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune on one hand, or isolation and poverty on the other. There are roads to happiness as there are roads to sadness, roads towards victory and jubilation, and roads leading to defeat and disappointment.
Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads in life. Perhaps the most perplexing road that you would encounter is a crossroad. With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they would go, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one along the way? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad?
There are no guarantees.
You do not really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness. Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it would be returned. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness. Accepting a good word from an influential superior to cut your trip short up the career ladder is not always bad, especially if you are highly qualified and competent. There are too many possible outcomes, which your really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you would act and react to different situations.
Wrong decisions are always at hindsight.
Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it? Perhaps not, why would you choose a certain path when you know it would get you lost? Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one. It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong.
Take the risk: decide.
Since life offers no guarantee and you would never know that your decision would be wrong until you have made it, then you might as well take the risk and decide. It is definitely better than keeping yourself in limbo. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure, moreover open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective. You have the choice between being a lost traveler or an accidental tourist of life. But take caution that you do not make decisions haphazardly. Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life’s crossroads:
· Get as many information as you can about your situation.
You cannot find the confidence to decide when you know so little about what you are faced with. Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation? These are just some of the possible questions to ask to know more about your situation. This is important. Oftentimes, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation.
· Identify and create options.
What options do the situation give you? Sometimes the options are few, but sometimes they are numerous. But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own. Make your creative mind work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end. You can ask a friend to help you identify options and even make more options if you encounter some difficulty, but make sure that you make the decision yourself in the end.
· Weigh the pros and cons of every option.
Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.
· Trust yourself and make that decision.
Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees and wrong decisions are always at hindsight. So choose… decide… believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.
Conclusion:
Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences: good and bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems. But the important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life. Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. But do not regret it whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.
http://mikoas.ning.com
Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. In our life many roads would come our way as we journey through life. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune on one hand, or isolation and poverty on the other. There are roads to happiness as there are roads to sadness, roads towards victory and jubilation, and roads leading to defeat and disappointment.
Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads in life. Perhaps the most perplexing road that you would encounter is a crossroad. With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they would go, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one along the way? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad?
There are no guarantees.
You do not really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness. Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it would be returned. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness. Accepting a good word from an influential superior to cut your trip short up the career ladder is not always bad, especially if you are highly qualified and competent. There are too many possible outcomes, which your really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you would act and react to different situations.
Wrong decisions are always at hindsight.
Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it? Perhaps not, why would you choose a certain path when you know it would get you lost? Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one. It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong.
Take the risk: decide.
Since life offers no guarantee and you would never know that your decision would be wrong until you have made it, then you might as well take the risk and decide. It is definitely better than keeping yourself in limbo. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure, moreover open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective. You have the choice between being a lost traveler or an accidental tourist of life. But take caution that you do not make decisions haphazardly. Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life’s crossroads:
· Get as many information as you can about your situation.
You cannot find the confidence to decide when you know so little about what you are faced with. Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation? These are just some of the possible questions to ask to know more about your situation. This is important. Oftentimes, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation.
· Identify and create options.
What options do the situation give you? Sometimes the options are few, but sometimes they are numerous. But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own. Make your creative mind work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end. You can ask a friend to help you identify options and even make more options if you encounter some difficulty, but make sure that you make the decision yourself in the end.
· Weigh the pros and cons of every option.
Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.
· Trust yourself and make that decision.
Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees and wrong decisions are always at hindsight. So choose… decide… believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.
Conclusion:
Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences: good and bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems. But the important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life. Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. But do not regret it whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.
http://mikoas.ning.com
EVERY PROBLEM AS A SOLUTION
Introduction:
How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.
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.
Finally, 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.
How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.
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.
Finally, 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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