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Dear Reader,

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Hello Brain Food Wednesday readers!
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Welcome to another edition of Brain Food Wednesdays, your weekly intellectual feast. In this edition, issue 222, we talk about problem solving.
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Introduction

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In the past, have you attended conferences, bought books from speakers you loved, then promptly placed them on your bookshelf when you returned home? Or have you bought books based on recommendations from people you trust, yet they remain unread on your beautiful bookshelf, gathering dust?
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Some of your unread books contain information that could solve problems and pressing issues. How much is not reading books costing you?
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When you’re learning continuously, you’re building your general knowledge, which will help you solve problems creatively. Marty Neumeier, wrote the book, 46 Rules of Genius. He defines genius as:
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“Anyone who turns insights into innovation and in the process changes our view of what is possible.”​
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Reading the right books will help you turn insights into innovation.
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How Good Are You at Problem Solving?

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Problem-solving skills are important for several reasons. First, they can help you better understand the world. Second, they can help you manage your time and resources. Third, you can make better decisions. Finally, problem-solving skills can help you communicate better with others.
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Good problem-solving skills are useful in your personal and professional life. If you can effectively solve problems, you will advance in your career and earn more money. Employers often look for applicants who have strong problem-solving skills. Therefore, developing these skills can improve your job prospects and earnings potential.
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A simple way to become better at problem solving is to incorporate a daily practice of getting ideas. The way to do that is to consume what Rohit Bhargava calls “brainful” media. Invest 15 minutes each day, feeding your mind with information from good books. You’ll have a pool of ideas to draw on when you face a problem. In no time, you’ll be turning insights you glean from books into innovation.
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Most people don't practice problem-solving enough. Here are some tips to get better at it:
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1. Practice regularly. Like any skill, problem-solving gets better with practice. Make a point of practicing regularly, even if it's just for 15 minutes at a time.
2. Start with easy problems. It can be tempting to jump into the deep end and try to solve tough problems right away. But it's often more effective to start with easier problems and gradually work up to the harder ones.
3. Break down big problems into smaller ones. When you face a big problem that overwhelms you, it can help to break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. That way, you can focus on one part at a time and not get overwhelmed by the whole thing.
4. Be persistent.
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In the MacGyver Secret by Lee David Zlotoff and Colleen Seifert Ph.D., there’s a 3-step process to creatively solve any problem you may have. You learn how to tap into your Inner Mac to find the best solution to your problem–you rely on yourself.
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1. Write the problem you have to solve. Be as specific as possible.
2. Tell your Inner Mac to work on the problem for you. Set a time limit to solve the problem, then let it go. Do unrelated activities that are physical and unimaginative.
3. When the time is up, ask your Inner Mac for the answer. Start writing everything that comes to you.
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If you found this newsletter informative, and you want to support me, please:
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​Sign up for Applied Knowledge is Power: Master the proven framework to read 1 book per week and actually RETAIN the knowledge!​

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Warm regards,
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Avil Beckford

Brain Food Wednesdays

Editor, Brain Food Wednesdays

Founder, The Invisible Mentor & Art of Learning Leadership Academy

​theinvisiblementor.com artoflearningleadershipacademy.com​

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