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Roger von Oech has identified 10 mental blocks to creativity. The following information is taken from his book. In the following line of letters, cross out six letters so that the remaining letters, without altering their sequence, will spell a familiar English word. BSAINXLEATNTEARS.
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Roger von Oech has identified 10 mental blocks to creativity The following information is taken from his book
In the following line of letters, cross out six letters so that the remaining letters, without altering their sequence, will spell a familiar English word. BSAINXLEATNTEARS
BSAINXLEATNTEARS What would I have left if I cross out SIXLETTERS? BSAINXLEATNTEARS
BSAINXLEATNTEARS What would I have left if I cross out six different letters — say B, S, A, I, N, and X every time they appear? BSAINXLEATNTEARS
Mental Blocks • The right answer • That’s not logical • Follow the rules • Be practical • Play is frivolous • That’s not my area • Don’t be foolish • Avoid ambiguity • To err is wrong • I’m not creative
Avoid Ambiguity Why don’t we like ambiguous situations? • They’re confusing • They cause communication problems There are instances, however, when ambiguity can be a powerful stimulant to your imagination.
Avoid Ambiguity One way to “think something different” is to look at things ambiguously. For example, what is half of 8? • One answer if 4 What if the question is ambiguous? • How about 0 • How about 3 • How about eig
Avoid Ambiguity Some suggestions: • Take advantage of the ambiguity in the world. Look at something and think about what else it might be. • If you’re giving someone a problem that has the potential of being solved in a creative way, then you might try—at least initially—posing it in an ambiguous fashion so as not to restrict their imagination. • Let the world be your oracle. Allow random, unexpected information to stimulate your imagination. • Listen to your dreams.