How can you use creative problem solving to find new self-employment opportunities?

1 What is creative problem solving?

Creative problem solving is a method that involves four main steps: clarifying the problem, generating ideas, developing solutions, and implementing actions. Each step has its own tools and techniques that help you explore different perspectives, overcome obstacles, and evaluate options. Creative problem solving is not a linear or rigid process, but rather a flexible and iterative one that allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and feedback.

3 How to use creative problem solving for self-employment?

When using creative problem solving for self-employment, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but some general guidelines can be followed. Start by creating a clear and specific problem statement that defines what you want to achieve, why it matters, and what constraints you face. Then, use brainstorming, mind mapping, or other ideation techniques to generate as many possible solutions as you can without judging or filtering them. After that, employ criteria, matrices, or other evaluation techniques to select the most promising solutions based on their feasibility, desirability, and viability. Subsequently, use prototypes, experiments, or other validation techniques to test your solutions with real or potential customers and gather feedback. Finally, use feedback loops, iteration, or other improvement techniques to refine your solutions based on the results and learnings.

4 What are some examples of creative problem solving for self-employment?

Creative problem solving can be a great way to find new self-employment opportunities in different fields and situations. For example, if you are a graphic designer who wants to create and sell your own products, creative problem solving can help you design and test different types of merchandise that showcase your style and appeal to your niche market. As a teacher, you can use it to develop and deliver engaging and effective curriculum, content, and assessments that meet the learning objectives and outcomes of your students. And if you are a consultant who wants to expand your services, you can use creative problem solving to identify and solve the pain points and challenges of your existing or potential clients, offering them customized and value-added solutions that enhance their performance and satisfaction.

5 What are some tips and resources for creative problem solving for self-employment?

Creative problem solving is a skill that you can learn and improve with practice and guidance. To do so, stay curious and open-minded by seeking inspiration from different sources, such as books, podcasts, blogs, or mentors. Additionally, involve other people in the creative problem solving process to gain different perspectives and backgrounds. Be experimental and flexible by trying new things and learning from mistakes. Moreover, remain persistent and resilient in order to find better solutions. Resources to help you apply creative problem solving to your self-employment goals include Creative Problem Solving: The Thinking Skills You Need to Tackle Any Challenge by Thomas W. Dombroski and Richard J. Foster, Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko, The Creative Problem Solver's Toolbox: A Complete Course in the Art of Creating Solutions to Problems of Any Kind by Richard Fobes, The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries, and Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?