Two Counterintuitive Strategies For Solving Problems
When we talk about counterintuitive strategies, we are referring to methods that conflict with what intuition is telling us, but ultimately work, against all odds. They were born from the idea that what we think is common sense sometimes misleads us.
The usual thing is to start from the idea that superficial logic is the key that opens all doors, that solves all problems. There are a few reasonable steps, ranging from identifying the difficulty, to approaching possible solutions, to the process of weighing them and choosing the most appropriate.
However, sometimes it doesn’t work. As much as we follow the sequence, we are unable to come up with a good plan. This is when counterintuitive strategies can go a long way in unblocking you and solving the problem in question.
Counterintuitive strategies
When faced with problems, especially if they affect us emotionally, we tend to adopt defensive strategies, focused on deficiencies, absences or difficulties. It’s part of the idea that by thinking about it and rethinking it, you will find a workable solution. Yet this is what usually ensures a feeling of anguish.
Anxiety is not the best counselor. Turning to the same problem and not finding reasonable solutions, it is very likely that it increases the anxiety and what we call mind fog will appear – our brain becomes saturated. Sometimes, too, the lack of solutions leads to new problems.
Many times the brain needs enough patience to strategize we haven’t used. A new situation may render existing routes unnecessary. At this point, it may be wise to opt for counterintuitive strategies. Here are two of them.
1. Blur instead of focusing
It is the reverse of focusing all of our attention on the problem. To solve something, we are supposed to focus on it, until we fully understand it and find a way out. However, under counterintuitive strategies, we have all found the solution to a problem when we left it in the background.
In many cases, what is recommended is to seek out the blur. This means leaving the cloister of the still unresolved difficulty. Rather than trying to structure a solution, the idea is to disperse it. This is accomplished, first, by moving away from the problem as such.
Second, broaden your perspective. To do this, we can ask other people who may have encountered a similar difficulty. Having someone who has successfully used a new strategy for us will undoubtedly give us an extra dose of security, which is sometimes needed.
On the other hand, sometimes someone offers an absurd and unworkable solution. But his vision ends up igniting the flame of a good idea to get out of the quagmire.
Chances are, that by blurring, anyway, you will stand up so that the anxiety is reduced. A calm mind is much more able to see and find viable ways to overcome mental obstacles.
2. Exaggerate it to the max
The second of the counterintuitive strategies is to use hyperbole, or exaggeration, in a constructive way. The idea is to oversize the problem. This means assuming that its effects and consequences are as severe as they could be. The goal, also in this case, is to take a new perspective.
The mental exercise of exaggerating a problem is something that on its own helps to see it in more detail and, perhaps, to find aspects that had not been seen before. Therefore, in this effort to exaggerate as much as possible, the situation may be better understood. And the key points detected more accurately.
Likewise, this is one of the counterintuitive strategies that somehow increases the pressure. However, in this case, this pressure can help us. Therefore, you can give us a helping hand to better frame the thought, without causing the same effects that anxiety would generate.
These two counterintuitive strategies are especially useful when faced with puzzling issues. Also, as stated, when after much thought, no solution is found.
Our thoughts How do you identify a person with emotional intelligence? How to tell if we are facing a skillful and efficient mind
