Waste or Invest Time

Which is a more productive way to spend time, worrying or problem solving. Well if we like to waste time, worry often becomes our choice. However, if we make problem solving our answer than perhaps that can invest our time wisely. I found a very interesting approach in the book The Essence of Success written by Earl Nightingale - Brainstorming.

Here's Nightingale's 11 step Brainstorming Approach:

1. Define the problem (be specific)
   
2. Write everything that you know about the problem (no editing here please)
   
3. Decide who to see (identify who can help you or is involved in the problem)
   
4. Make a note of everything that is germane to the problem (again no editing or elimiting)
5. Conduct a personal brainstorming (make a list of what can you can to do overcome the problem)
6. Consider a brainstorming group (get others together that can help you solve the problem)
   
7. Rate your ideas for effectiveness and facility (disregard cost or speed at this time)
8. Rate your ideas for time and money (now think about dollars and time)
   
9. Evaluate your ideas and take action on them (what steps can you take on those ideas - still not really in any order)
10. Create an action plan (now put together a workable plan of action)
    
11. Give yourself a deadline to putting your plan in action. (target dates help your accountability)

Brainstorming is fun and work, frustrating and rewarding. At least it worth a try, let me know your ideas and issues for brainstorming.