The Secret of Original Thinking

In any given situation, the capability to generate multiple possibilities and select the best alternative is one of the supreme human strengths. With these two powers of Vichar or ideation i.e. ability to generate original ideas and Vivek or discrimination i.e. intellect to evaluate and choose the best alternative, humans are capable of handling adverse conditions to achieve favorable results. But unfortunately, this is not always the case. Our choices are often tainted by the biases created by our likes or dislikes.  We utilize our faculty of discrimination more to justify our ideological positions rather than exploring the best possible alternatives. As a result, we end up compromising the possibility of the best outcome.  

Let us utilize our power of ideation and discrimination consciously in the coming weeks. Do find at least one alternative idea while making any decision. The process of identifying alternatives and doing cost-value analysis will help to reduce your position bias towards a single idea, and also enhance the possibility of finding the best possible alternative for the desired outcome.

The research in the field of ideation suggests that when we explore ideas, the first five are average. They reflect our experience of success in the past. The next two ideas are a blend of past experiences and originality. It is only after seven ideas that we step outside of our known world and exercise our capability to generate original out-of-box options. We then have freedom to choose the best option to achieve the most favorable outcome. 

Let us utilise this secret of original thinking in the coming weeks and experience the magic of human creative potential.