A graduation, a wedding, and a funeral — all in a two week span, all evoking strong emotional reactions calls for Creative Problem Solving (CPS) skills and tools.
When we talk about how great CPS is, we often talk about how companies apply the process to create more profit, or save more time, or other impressive, business-y applications. All of that is cool stuff, and it helps people get over the word “creative” so they see the work as legitimate and meaningful. But CPS is more than a business application.
CPS is a process, a way of thinking, and a way of using your brain to help you be present, connected, and effective in your life. For the last little bit of time, I have been grappling with joyous and sad life events, and I will have to do this “dealing with it” in public and in front of others who need my support.
To prepare for these interactions that are so laden with emotion, I have been using CPS to keep myself regulated and in my problem solving prefrontal cortex with use of the invitational stem “How Might I…”.
Here is where I landed: How might I balance my time, energy, and emotions so I can show up meaningfully at each event? The more you practice CPS the better you will get at it, and the more it will help. I feel ready, and well equipped for the weekend ahead.
How might you use CPS today to prepare for challenges ahead of you?