How To Be Ingenious: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Life does not always offer us suitable solutions to the problems and situations we encounter. If you find yourself in a difficult moment, sometimes you have to use what you have available, with a pinch of creativity and inventiveness, to overcome it. No manual can address every possible situation that may arise, but you can find some general suggestions below.

Steps

Step 1. Be prepared

You can't predict everything, but you can predict many things, and the more you can prepare in advance, the more resources you can draw on when facing a problem. Also find ways to limit future problems if possible. Prevention is better than cure.

• Build a toolbox and learn how to use it. The more tools you have to draw on when faced with a challenge, the more ingenious you can be. Depending on where you spend your time, the tools at your disposal could take the form of a real toolbox, or they could be in your bag, survival kit, workshop, kitchen, truck. or even in a selection of camping equipment. Learn to use your tools. So make sure you have them on hand when you need them.

  

• Practice at home. If you don't know how to change a tire, try the driveway to your home before you find yourself with a flat tire when you are many kilometers away from home, in the dark, in the rain. Learn to set up a tent in the backyard or take a day trip to get used to the equipment you have in your backpack. Upgrade both the toolbox and your skills before putting yourself to the test.

  

• Predict potential problems and address them before they become real problems. If you are worried that you might forget your keys and get locked out, hide a spare key in the backyard. Attach the keys to something large and conspicuous so you don't lose them. Organize with others going in and out so you don't accidentally lock each other out.

  

Step 2. Assess the situation

When a difficult situation arises, try to clarify and define the problem as best you can. Finding a solution to the problem is better than worrying. You can learn this by training your mind every time you start worrying.

• How bad is it? Is this really a crisis or is it simply an inconvenience or a hitch? Does it need to be addressed right away or can it be expected to come up with a suitable solution? The more urgent the situation, the more inventive you will have to be. First calm down, think clearly before you act.

  

• What is the nature of the problem? What do you really need? For example, do you have to open the lock or do you have to go in or out? These are two different problems, as the second could be solved by going through the window, climbing the wall, going through the back or removing the hinge pins of the door. In this situation do you necessarily need to enter or could you get what you need somewhere else?

  

Step 3. Evaluate what you have available

Above all, being ingenious means using resources intelligently and creatively. Don't forget that assets aren't just made up of objects. Could you get or have access to any of the following?

• People. Whether you need a bus ticket to go home, some good idea or moral support, the use of the telephone or simply an extra hand involves the involvement of other people. If you look at a topic in all respects together with other people, you might get very good solutions. Ask someone you know and trust. Seek the help of an expert or, if appropriate, contact those directly responsible (authorities, employees, teachers, ushers, …), as these people often have access to additional resources. Even if you end up asking strangers for help, you will probably be pleasantly surprised by the results. If a person or two isn't enough, could you form a team or task force? Could you convince your municipality or another organization to support your cause? "What distinguishes those who are successful from those who do not have it is directly proportional to the ability to ask for help". This quote is from the former CEO of Coca Cola, taken from the movie "The Journey".

  

• Communication. Would you be able to contact someone who might know the answer you are looking for, help you out, etc.? Would you be able to ask a question, start something, or help someone start something, coordinate, collaborate or pity someone?

  

• Information. Has anyone else solved a similar problem before? How does the thing (or system or situation) you are trying to deal with work? What's the way home from here? Who can you contact and how? How do you light a fire?

  

• Money. It can't get you out of any trouble, but it can be very effective in some situations. If you don't have money and you need it, being ingenious could mean either doing without it or getting some. Would you be able to ask people, organize a fundraiser or find a job?

  

• Objects. Don't be afraid to use them in an unconventional way. Metal coat hangers can be very flexible and even if the screwdriver is not really suitable for chiseling, prying, hammering, scraping, it will often be fine if needed.

  

• Intangible assets. Sunshine, seriousness and goodwill are all elements that can work in your favor and can also be used to your advantage.

  

• Weather. If you have it, use it. Again, you may need to figure out where to find more. Depending on the situation you have to overcome, you may have to work longer hours, ask for more time, get others' time, take temporary measures as you develop something more lasting, be patient, or ask others to be patient.

  

Step 4. Look back

Take stock of what you have available, then consider how you can apply it to the problem.

Step 5. Break the rules

It is not a question of walking around indifferently ignoring the law, but of using things in an unconventional way or opposing traditional opinions or social norms, if necessary. Be prepared to take responsibility, right the wrong or explain yourself if you go beyond your limits.

Step 6. Be creative

Think of extravagant possibilities, as well as obvious or practical ones. You may find inspiration to come up with a workable solution.

Step 7. Experiment

Experiments and errors may take some time, but if you have no experience in a specific situation, this is a great way to start. At the very least, you'll learn what's wrong.

Step 8. Use the situation to your advantage if you can

If you missed the bus and the next one will not pass for an hour, could you go for a coffee or take a look at a nearby shop while you wait? If it freezes outside, would you be able to use snow as a shelter or ice as a building material?

Step 9. Improvise

Don't just think that only a permanent solution will work. Use what you have on hand to come up with a temporary solution. For example, fix the bike at least to get home and only then repair it properly.

Step 10. Be an opportunist

If an opportunity presents itself, do your best to seize it. Don't think about it too much.

Step 11. Act quickly

Often an effective solution is the result of a quick response. Be steadfast and when you have made a decision, don't analyze it, take action.

Step 12. Learn from your mistakes

If you've struggled to correct a mistake, take the necessary steps to make sure it never happens again. If you've tried something that didn't work, try a different way next time.

Step 13. Be stubborn

If you throw in the towel before the problem goes away, you haven't solved anything. Try another ten or a hundred different ways, if that's what you need. Do not give up. If you don't succeed on the first try, don't consider it a failure, rather consider it practice. See the bright side in any situation.

Advice

• Don't dwell on the past. If the underlying cause or root problem is something you can't fix, just try to recover as best you can.
• Practice being ingenious before you get the pressure on. Try cooking a meal with whatever you have on hand in the pantry instead of going to the store. Create what you need instead of buying it. Build or create something yourself, even if there is something ready and available.
• Being ingenious is an essential source of knowledge. Sometimes you can turn your attention to a successful person who has a lot of useful experience behind them that helped bring them to where they are now and you can try asking them simple questions about something that might intrigue you.
• Reading and research is also very helpful. Being updated on important things can help you in the future. Concentrate on something you like and look for different links related to that topic or idea, so as not only to learn new notions about it, but also to be able to master the topic.
• Contacts with people, like material tools, can be accumulated when you need them or before. Making contacts or friendships, formal or informal, is one way to start doing this. Also, if possible, do favors for others before you have to ask for them.
• Don't panic. Pressure might be a good stimulus, but not if it blurs your mind. Reflect on why you can't just let it go and that will give you the strength to achieve the perseverance you need to be successful.
• If you have improvised something to overcome an immediate difficulty, be sure to do adequate work to rectify the damage as soon as possible.

Warnings

• In the event of a real emergency (immediate threat to life or property), usually the best and most ingenious thing to do is to contact the appropriate authorities, provide them with the information they need to do their job and avoid getting in the way.
• Make sure you know what you are doing, otherwise you might just create a new problem.