"That's not a knife...THIS is a knife!"

by Michael Bungay Stanier

You might recognize one of the great quotes from Australian cinema - Crocodile Dundee - in the subject line. (It was when my Canadian wife could say that in a perfect Australian accent (and sounded like she meant it) that I knew our relationship was here to stay...).

But the inspiration for this week's article wasn't Mick Dundee, but a short article on what knives you need to have in a properly stocked kitchen.

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This isn't turning into the Cookery Channel
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It was a perfectly interesting article, and should you be looking for tips on how and what to wield in the kitchen, I can recommend it.
But what was really interesting was the problem it helped me to solve - how to fine tune my new office space.

As some of you may recall, I moved into a new office a couple of months ago, leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of my home office. The move has been great ... and it's also clear that the office isn't yet what I hoped it might be.

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Danger! Creativity at work
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And this of course is one of the genius things about our brain - our capacity to make connections.

In fact, someone one defined creativity as making new connections between known things.

If you're stuck, what that means at its heart is you can only see one way to do what you need to do - and you don't like what you see.

If you can generate new possibilities, then you have choice. If you have choice, you have your freedom back - and you're unstuck.

And one of the best ways to create new possibilities is to add "new stimulus" into the mix, and shake your brain up.

Let me give you an example, combining the article on knives with my challenge to make my office space more successful.

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Knife tips
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==> Knife tip #1 You only need two, a chef's knife and a boning knife

The question underneath that: "What if the solution was "two"?"

My insight/idea: I only need two types of "space" in my office, one for efficient "good work", and another for more creative, planning, ambitious "great work"

==> Knife tip #2: Use your steel and keep your knives sharp

The question underneath that: "What need sharpening?"

My insight/idea: Clutter is already dulling the space. I need to sharpen up the "put stuff in my inbox" process

==> Knife tip #3: Find a knife your hand really likes

The question underneath that: "What's the best fit?"

My insight/idea: The room doesn't yet feel comfortable. What about a radio, so I can listen during the day? And a heater, now that winter's setting in. And put some art on the walls

==> Knife tip #4: Expensive doesn't necessarily mean better

The question underneath that: "What's the cheap and cheerful solution?"

My insight/idea: Buy flowers every Monday for the table, so I've got something living in the room (besides me!)

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What's your challenge?
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Think of a challenge you're facing, one you'd like to bring some creative thinking to. (It's worth spending some time on this - the art of thinking creatively about a problem starts with making sure you're working on the right problem).

First, jot down ideas you've already got. (That way you're clearing out the brain, ready for some new ideas).

Then spend a couple of minutes per question - and see where they take you. Aim to have at least five new ideas per question.

1. If the solution was "two" - one to do one thing, one to do another - what would it look like?

2. What's needs sharpening? What has got dull?

3. What's the best fit? What would be comfortable?

4. What's the "cheap and cheerful" solution? What's the "over priced" solution?