THE George Clooney PEACEMAKER Nicole Kidman

OneOne of of the the scenes scenes from from the the movie movie The The Peacemaker, Peacemaker,starringstarring George George ClooneyClooney and and Nicole Nicole Kidman, Kidman, shows shows an an old old Russian Russian Farmer Farmer out out in in his his backyardbackyard when when a a military military train train rushes rushes by. by. He He goes goes into into his his house house and and a a shortshort time time later later hears hears a a terrible terrible cras crash.h. The The old old man man and and his his wife wife go go out out to to investigate.investigate. Shortly Shortly afterwards afterwards a a nuclear nuclear explosion explosion engulfs engulfs them. them. THE George Clooney PEACEMAKER Nicole Kidman

TheThe scene scene switches switches to to Washington Washington D.C. D.C. where where intelligence intelligence personal personal are are studyingstudying the the data data from from the the explosion. explosion. Since Since they they think think that that a a train train accident accident causedcaused an an unintended unintended nuclear nuclear detonation, detonation, the the United United States States would would not not be be threatened.threatened. We We would would have have monitored monitored fallout, fallout, as as well well as as sent sent environmentalenvironmental and and medi medicalcal experts experts to to help. help. THE George Clooney PEACEMAKER Nicole Kidman

ThenThen the the character character played played by by Kidman Kidman discovers discovers that that it it could could not not have have been been an an accident.accident. She She believes believes that that it it was was a a terrorist terrorist act. act. Some Some group group had had a a grip grip against against RussiaRussia and and set set the the bomb bomb off off in in an an attempt attempt to to force force political political changes. changes. Again, Again, we we wouldwould probably probably still still monitor monitor fallout fallout and and send send medical medical help. help. We We would would also also offer offer whatwhat knowledge knowledge we we had had on on terrorists terrorists who who had had a a gripe gripe against against Russia. Russia. However, However, wewe would would not not feel feel too too threatened. threatened. THE George Clooney PEACEMAKER Nicole Kidman

ThenThen at at a a debriefing, debriefing, Clooney's Clooney's character character rather rather brazenly brazenly takes takes over. over. He He points points to to picturespictures of of the the train train collision collision and and shows shows that that no no one one had had jumped jumped off off the the train train carryingcarrying the the nukes, nukes, while while people people were were jumping jumping off off the the other other train. train. He He concludes concludes thatthat someone someone killed killed all all of of the the people people on on th thee nuke nuke train train and and stole stole several several nuclear nuclear bombs.bombs. The The explosion explosion was was just just to to throw throw everyone everyone off off track. track. Suddenly, Suddenly, the the United United StatesStates was was in in a a threatening threatening situation. situation. Many Many people people would would like like to to get get their their hands hands on on aa nuclear nuclear bomb bomb and and exploded exploded one one it it the the United United States. States. THE George Clooney PEACEMAKER Nicole Kidman

InIn fact, fact, that that is is the the plot. plot. A A Bosnian Bosnian terrorist terrorist has has bought bought one one of of the the bombs bombs and and plans plans toto blow blow it it up up in in downtown downtown Manhattan Manhattan on on Friday Friday during during rush rush hour hour - - killing killing millions millions ofof people. people. Suddenly Suddenly the the problem problem to to be be solved solved is is tracking tracking down down the the thieves thieves and and gettinggetting our our hands hands on on the the bombs. bombs. If If they they had had focused focused their their problem problem solving solving on on the the environmentalenvironmental and and humanitarian humanitarian issues, issues, as as they they did did at at first, first, many many Americans Americans wouldwould have have died. died. Getting Getting our our problem problem solving solving skills skills correct correct is is very very important important – – notnot only only for for anti-terrorist anti-terrorist forces, forces, but but for for every every day day people. people. SomeSome people people might might think think that that they they do do all all right right with with problem problem solving.”My solving.”My life life isis not not that that complicated. complicated. I I don’t don’t have have to to chase chase terrorists.” terrorists.” Maybe Maybe so, so, but but let let me me askask you you something. something. Are Are you you a a parent? parent? Are Are you you worried worried about about your your children children beingbeing kidnapped kidnapped by by strangers? strangers? A A solution solution ma manyny people people take take for for this this problem problem is is toto drive drive their their kids kids to to and and from from school. school. WellWell the the reality reality is is that that kidnappings kidnappings by by strangers strangers is is very very rare. rare. 95% 95% of of all all missingmissing children children are are runaways. runaways. The The othe otherr 5% 5% is is almost almost all all kidnappings kidnappings by by non- non- custodialcustodial parents. parents. Kidnappings Kidnappings by by strang strangersers is is very very rare. rare. In In a a small small town town of of 30,00030,000 people, people, if if they they had had one one missing missing ki kidd a a week, week, which which would would be be a a lot, lot, it it wouldwould be be 100 100 years years between between kidnapping kidnappingss by by strangers. strangers. We We know know about about kidnappingskidnappings when when they they happen, happen, because because it it makes makes all all the the papers. papers. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, mostmost parent parent would would rather rather be be safe safe than than so sorry.rry. We We wouldn’t wouldn’t want want our our child child to to be be thethe statistic. statistic. HaveHave you you ever ever been been by by a a middle middle school school wh whenen it it lets lets out? out? There There are are cars cars two two andand three three layers layers deep, deep, all all jockeying jockeying for for position. position. Kids Kids are are weaving weaving in in and and out out ofof all all this this trying trying to to get get to to their their cars. cars. Y Youou can can be be sure sure that that more more kids kids are are hurt hurt or or killedkilled by by our our solution solution to to the the kidnapping kidnapping problem problem than than will will ever ever be be hurt hurt by by kidnappers.kidnappers. So, So, we we really really do do have have to to take take a a good good look look at at how how we we solve solve problemsproblems if if we we want want our our lives lives to to go go well. well. IfIf you you remember remember the the way way the the emotiona emotional lmind mind makes makes decisions decisions and and solves solves problemsproblems is is by by automatically automatically telling telling us: us:

ThereThere is is no no thinking. thinking. There There are are no no choices choices – – things things just just flow. flow. The The emotional emotional mind mind solvessolves short-term, short-term, surface surface problems problems without without consideration consideration for for anything anything else else that that may may bebe import import to to you.. you.. OnOn the the other other hand, hand, you you reasoning reasoning mind mind makes makes decisions decisions by by asking: asking: ThisThis is is what what we we will will be be studying studying - - problem-solving problem-solving using using your your reasoning reasoning mind mind and and howhow to to keep keep your your emotional emotional mind mind from from interfering. interfering. TheThe first first step step in in this this problem-solving problem-solving skill skill is is to to ask ask What What is is really really going going on. on. You’ll You’ll rememberremember that that your your emotional emotional mind mind automa automaticallytically tells tells you you what what is is going going on. on. But But it it doesn’tdoesn’t always always get get things things right. right. ThereThere are are three three sub-steps sub-steps to to What What is is Really Really Going Going On On that that will will help help you you be be more more accurate:accurate: How How do do you you know know when when you you have have a a problem? problem? How How to to identify identify the the main main problem?problem? And And how how to to separate separate facts facts from from assumptions. assumptions. HowHow do do you you know know when when you you have have a a problem? problem? “What “What do do youyou mean? mean? I I know know when when I I have have a a problem. problem. I I don’t don’t need need toto mess mess around around thinking thinking about about it.” it.” Ok, Ok, let let me me tell tell you you somethingsomething that that evil evil scientists scientists found found out. out. IfIf you you take take a a frog, frog, put put it it in in a a pot pot of of water water a andnd then then put put the the pot pot on on the the stove, stove, the the frog frog willwill boil boil to to death. death. By By the the time time the the frog’s frog’s little little brain brain realizes realizes that that it it is is in in trouble, trouble, its its systemsystem is is all all ready ready paralyzed paralyzed and and it it cannot cannot jump jump out. out. People People sometimes sometimes act act like like frogs.frogs. We We wait wait until until we we are are in in hot hot water water before before we we decide decide we we need need to to act. act. In In other other wordswords we we wait wait until until our our problems problems are are bad bad before before we we recognize recognize that that we we need need to to do do something.something. It It is is much much easier easier to to take take care care of of things things early early before before they they get get bad. bad. But But how how dodo we we know know early early on on that that a a problem problem is is br brewing?ewing? Write Write the the number number 1 1 on on a a piece piece of of paperpaper and and then then write write how how you you know know when when you you have have a a problem. problem. OneOne way way we we know know when when WeWe feel feel angry, angry, sad, sad, wewe have have a a problem problem is is afraidafraid or or worried. worried. If If we we thatthat we we feel feel angry, angry, learnlearn to to pay pay attention attention to to anxious,anxious, fearful fearful or or sad. sad. howhow we we feel, feel, we we can can OurOur emotional emotional mind mind jumpjump in in when when we we first first providesprovides an an early early recognizerecognize we we have have a a warningwarning that that we we have have problemproblem rather rather than than wait wait problems.problems. untiluntil it it gets gets out out of of hand. hand. NextNext we we need need to to identify identify the the main main problem. problem. Rather Rather than than explainexplain what what this this means, means, let let me me give give an an example. example. ImagineImagine you you went went to to college college and and got got a a degree degree in, in, let’s let’s say, say, computer computer programming.programming. You You did did well well and and had had high high hopes. hopes. Then Then you you found found out out there there were were nono jobs jobs for for computer computer programmers programmers in in your your town town and and you you ended ended up up working working at at a a minimumminimum wage wage job. job. You You are are really really bummed bummed out. out. Then Then one one day day you you saw saw an an ad ad for for aa programmer programmer at at the the local local plant. plant. It It pays pays real real good. good. You You called called them them up up and and told told themthem your your qualifications. qualifications. They They said said you you were were a a good good candidate candidate and and set set you you an an appointment.appointment. On On the the way way there, there, your your car car broke broke down. down. Write Write the the number number 2 2 on on your your paperpaper and and then then write write what what the the problem problem is. is. IfIf you you thought thought the the problem problem was was th thatat your your car car was was broken, broken, you you would would havehave focused focused on on fixing fixing your your car. car. In In reality, reality, you you want want to to fix fix you you car car so so you you cancan get get to to the the interview interview on on time. time. Fixi Fixingng you you car car is is only only one one option option for for gettinggetting to to the the interview interview on on time. time. Your Your emotional emotional mind mind is is short-term short-term focusedfocused and and you you have have to to deliberate deliberatelyly look look at at the the big big picture picture for for good good problem-solving.problem-solving. If If you you fix fix the the car, car, you you might might get get to to the the interview interview on on time,time, but but be be a a mess. mess. Or, Or, you you might might fix fix it it but but be be late. late. Or, Or, you you might might not not be be ableable to to fix fix it it at at all. all. IfIf you you focus focus on on how how to to get get to to the the interview interview on on time, time, you you might might come come up up withwith options options that that will will accomplish accomplish y yourour goal goal and and do do not not have have these these drawback.drawback. So So when when you you have have a a probl problem,em, ask ask yourself yourself what what is is really really importimport here here and and focus focus on on solving solving that. that. TheThe next next step step is is gathering gathering facts. facts. It It has has three three sub-steps: sub-steps: Careful Careful observations,observations, asking asking the the right right ques questionstions and and separating separating facts facts from from assumptions.assumptions. InIn the the movie, movie, only only George George Clooney Clooney look look at at the the pictures pictures close close enough enough to to noticenotice that that no no one one was was jumping jumping off off the the train train carrying carrying the the nukes. nukes. Your Your emotionalemotional mind mind sees sees what what it it thinks thinks is is there there - - not not always always what what is is really really there.there. The The good good problem problem solver solver takes takes a a second second and and a a third third systematic systematic looklook at at things things to to decide decide what what is is really really going going on. on. AtAt first first glance, glance, these these two two pictures pictures are are th thee same, same, but but a a close close look look shows shows 11 11 differences. differences. WhatWhat are are they? they? Write Write the the number number 3 3 on on your your paper paper and and then then list list the the differences. differences. PicturePicture on on left left::1)1) arrow arrow on on upper upper left left points points up, up, 2) 2) triangle triangle near near lightning lightning in in upper upper centercenter missing, missing, 3) 3) arrows arrows in in lines lines on on upper upper right right is is in in the the middle, middle, 4) 4) lasso lasso with with loop loop in in middlemiddle has has a a dot dot in in it, it, 5) 5) arrow arrow to to right right of of lasso lasso loop loop is is longer, longer, 6) 6) the the N Ninin and andisis capitalized,capitalized, 7) 7) hourglass hourglass on on lower lower left left is is smalle smaller,r, 8) 8) oval oval in in block block on on lower lower left left is is on on left left sideside of of block, block, 9) 9) arrow arrow pointing pointing to to oval oval in in center center bottom bottom is is missing, missing, 10) 10) oval oval above above think think isis horizontal, horizontal, 11) 11) box box with with arrow, arrow, at at the the top top center, center, has has a a thinner thinner boarder. boarder. NextNext you you ask ask the the right right questions. questions. Remember, Remember, ask ask the the person person who who is is mostmost likely likely to to have have the the correct correct information. information. Don’t Don’t ask ask you you plumber plumber aboutabout a a heart heart problem problem or or your your doctor doctor about about problems problems with with your your pipes. pipes. Melissa’sMelissa’s deaddead nakednaked bodybody laylay onon thethe floor.floor. SheShe isis inin aa puddlepuddle ofof water.water. TheThe windowwindow isis openopen andand thethe breezebreeze isis blowingblowing thethe curtainscurtains about.about. ThereThere isis brokenbroken glassglass everywhere.everywhere. WhatWhat happenedhappened toto Melissa?Melissa? WriteWrite the the number number 4 4 on on your your paper paper and and write write whatwhat questions questions you you would would ask ask to to get get the the answer. answer. MelissaMelissa was was a a fish. fish. The The wind wind blew blew over over her her fish fish bowel bowel and and it it broke broke onon thethe floor.floor. SheShe suffocated..suffocated.. MostMost of of the the time time people people make make guesses guesses about about what what happened happened rather rather thanthan ask ask questions questions that that gather gather information. information. That’s That’s the the way way the the emotionalemotional mind mind works. works. It It jumps jumps from from idea idea to to idea idea - - in in a a hurry. hurry. It It doesn’tdoesn’t like like to to go go slow slow and and systematically. systematically. CCatholic colleges and universities pro b star airli Pennsylvania man nev arrested with 141 ero de pounds of pot to t The Associated Press the Cov Next we will do another story light Next we will do another story hou andand ask ask specific specific fact fact finding finding sev eryo questions.questions. u. Ro Did you take journalism in gold Did you take journalism in "Hel school?school? What What are are the the specific specific purs ever typestypes of of questions questions reporters reporters are are year coll taughttaught to to ask? ask? Write Write the the number number eve 5 on your paper and then answer n 5 on your paper and then answer tayl the question (if you don’t know "W the question (if you don’t know Gib – write don’t know) s – write don’t know) tota addi CCatholic colleges and universities pro b star airli Pennsylvania man nev arrested with 141 ero de pounds of pot to t The Associated Press the Cov light hou sev Write the number 6 on youreryo Write the number 6 on youru. paper and then write downRo some: paper and then write downgold some: who,who, what, what, where, where, when, when, wh "Helwhyy purs andand how how questions questions that that – –ifeverif year answeredanswered – –wouldwould tell tell the the collstory story of this newspaper article. eve of this newspaper article. n tayl "W Gib s tota addi CCatholic colleges and universities pro b star WouldWould airli answers to Pennsylvania man nev answers to arrested with 141 ero your de your pounds of pot to t questionsquestions The Associated Press the Cov havehave given given MUSCATINE 01/05/99 A light Pennsylvania man accused of hou youyou the the gist gist transporting more than 100 sev of the story? pounds of marijuana will be eryo of the story? arraigned on drug charges later u. this month. John Doe 44, of Ro gold Hermitage, Pa., is charged "Hel with possession of a controlled purs substance with the intent to ever deliver. Doe was arrested year during a routine traffic stop coll near Wilton Monday after the eve Iowa State Patrol found 141 n pounds of marijuana in his car. tayl If convicted, Doe faces up to "W 10 years in prison on the Gib possession charge. s tota addi NextNext wewe willwill looklook intointo separatingseparating factsfacts fromfrom assumptions.assumptions. ImagineImagine you you are are a a school school teacher. teacher. You You walk walk out out onto onto the the play play groundground and and find find two two kids kids fighting. fighting. On On is is black black and and one one is is white. white. If If youyou think think to to yourself, yourself, “why “why is is that that black black kid kid picking picking on on the the white white kid?”youkid?”you would would be be making making an an as assumption.sumption. A A raciest raciest assumption assumption thatthat black black people people are are trouble trouble make makers.rs. On On the the other other hand, hand, you you might might think,think, “why “why is is that that white white kid kid pi pickingcking on on the the black black kid?” kid?” also also an an assumptionassumption - - that that white white people people are are r racistsacists and and go go out out of of their their way way to to harmharm black black people. people. Either Either way, way, the the assumptions assumptions will will color color your your judgmentjudgment and and get get in in the the way way of of finding finding out out what what actually actually happened. happened. WriteWrite the the number number 7 7 on on your your paper paper and and then then write write the the known known facts facts ofof this this story? story? TheThe only only facts facts we we have have so so far far are are that that two two kids kids are are fighting fighting in in the the playgroundplayground – – one one is is black black and and one one is is white. white. Any Any other other ideas ideas are are assumptions.assumptions. ByBy the the way way did did you you think think in in you you mind mind that that they they were were boys? boys? Most Most people people assumeassume that. that. HereHere is is a a picture. picture. Write Write the the number number 8 8 on on your your paper paper and and thenthen write write facts facts about about it it - -nono assumptions. assumptions. TheThe man man on on the the left left has has a a prosthesis prosthesis (an (an artificial artificial arm). arm). HeHe is is black. black. Is Is he he an an African African American? American? We We don’t don’t know know he he could could be be French. French. HeHe is is wearing wearing an an Army Army shirt. shirt. Was Was he he in in the the Army? Army? We We don’t don’t know. know. Anyone Anyone can can buy buy a a used used armyarmy shirt. shirt. IsIs his his name name Franks? Franks? We We don’t don’t know know for for the the same same reason. reason. TheThe little little black black girl girl is is holding holding his his hand. hand. Wh Whatat is is their their relationship? relationship? We We don’t don’t know. know. He He couldcould be be her her father, father, brother brother or or even even baby baby sitter. sitter. SheShe is is wearing wearing bibs. bibs. ThereThere is is a a little little girl girl in in the the lower lower right right hand hand corner corner holding holding a a doll. doll. TheThe older older man man has has glasses glasses on. on. Is Is he he old? old? Old Old is is relative. relative. HeHe has has what what some some call call on on overseas overseas cap cap on. on. Was Was he he in in the the military? military? We We don’t don’t know. know. HeHe has has a a bow bow tie tie and and a a jacket jacket on. on. AreAre the the two two men men saluting? saluting? This This is is real real techni technical,cal, but but we we don’t don’t know. know. To To salute salute you you have have to to bebe saluting saluting at at something something and and we we cannot cannot see see that that they they are. are. The The best best we we can can say say is is that that they they havehave their their hands hands to to their their forehead forehead in in a a saluting saluting position. position. AreAre they they at at parade? parade? We We don’t don’t know. know. ThereThere is is a a lawn lawn chair chair behind behind the the black black girl. girl. TheThe number number 8 8 and and balloons balloons behind behind the the older older man. man. YourYour emotional emotional mind mind assumes assumes that that what what it it decides decides is is fact fact and and thenthen doesn’t doesn’t continue continue to to check check things things out. out. It It often often ignores ignores evidenceevidence that that is is inconsistent inconsistent w withith it’s it’s assumptions. assumptions. That That is is why why itit is is so so important important to to make make yourself yourself take take a a second second or or third third check check onon what what you you think think is is really really the the situation. situation. While While it it is is impossible impossible toto gathergather allall ofof thethe facts.facts. SometimesSometimes youyou havehave toto workwork withwith assumptions,assumptions, but but at at least least label label them them as as such such in in you you mind mind so so that that youyou are are not not blinded blinded by by them them and and ignore ignore the the possibility possibility that that they they mightmight bebe wrong.wrong. AfterAfter you’ve you’ve got got a a good good handle handle on on what what is is really really going going on, on, you you need need to to give give yourselfyourself some some options. options. You You emotional emotional mind mind does does not not give give you you options. options. It It automaticallyautomatically tells tells you you what what is is going going on on and and automatically automatically tell tell you you what what to to do do aboutabout it. it. Your Your reasoning reasoning mind mind however, however, is is creative. creative. It It can can think think of of many many things things youyou can can do do and and you you can can pick pick form form them them to to get get the the best best deal deal under under the the circumstances.circumstances. ThereThere are are two two sub-steps sub-steps for for What What are are my my options: options: brainstormingbrainstorming andand short-termshort-term andand long-temlong-tem consequentialconsequential thinking. thinking. BrainBrain storming storming is is a a way way to to way way to to take take advantage advantage of of your your creativity.creativity. But But let’s let’s do do something something before before we we get get into into that. that. Buffalo Wings...... order of 12...... $4.99 Pizza...... 1 topping...... small...... …...$6.85 Breadsticks...... order of 5..….....$1.80 medium...... $9.95 order of 10...... $2.99 large....…...... $12.15 extra sauce...... $ .85 additional toppings: Garlic Bread...... order of 2.….....$ .95 small...$ .90 each with cheese...... $1.20 medium..$1.10 each order of 4..…...$1.60 large...$1.35 each with cheese...... $2.40 Toppings: Pepperoni Sausage Hamburger Ham Salad Bar...... with a meal..…..$2.80 Mushrooms Onions Olives Green Peppers as a meal...... $3.45 Spaghetti...... ………....$3.85 Soft Drinks...... glass...…....…...$ .99 with meat sauce $4.50 pitcher...... $2.90 Lasagna...... ………...$4.75 Beer...... glass....……….....$1.30 AreAre you you hungry? hungry? Following Following is is a a menu. menu. pitcher...... $4.90 FigureFigure out out what what you you want want to to eat. eat. Write Write the the number 9 on your paper and then place your Coffee/Tea...... glass....……...... $ .60 number 9 on your paper and then place your order.order. MostMost people people study study the the menu, menu, look look at at all all of of the the choices choices and and then then order. order. Surprisingly,Surprisingly, however, however, many many people people tackle tackle problems problems by by thinking thinking of of possiblepossible solutions, solutions, evaluating evaluating each each so solutionlution as as they they came came up up with with them them andand then then stopping stopping once once they they come come up up with with an an idea idea that that seems seems good. good. IfIf you you did did this, this, it it would would be be like like read readinging the the menu menu and and stopping stopping at at Buffalo Buffalo WingsWings because because you you like like Buffalo Buffalo Wings, Wings, then then later later kicking kicking yourself yourself when when youyou found found out out that that you you could could have have ha hadd pepperoni pepperoni pizza pizza instead. instead. And And you you lovelove pepperoni pepperoni pizza pizza more more than than anything. anything. IfIf you you are are trying trying to to come come up up with with ideas ideas, ,just just come come up up with with ideas. ideas. Do Do not not evaluateevaluate them them until until you you cannot cannot co comeme up up with with any any more. more. Stopping Stopping to to evaluateevaluate as as you you go go disrupts disrupts creativ creativityity and and temps temps you you to to stop stop before before you you havehave explored explored the the options options thoroughly thoroughly. .You You can can evaluate evaluate your your ideas ideas later, later, butbut at at first first just just brainstorm. brainstorm. ThereThere is is one one more more thing thing you you should should know know about about brainstormingbrainstorming before before you you try try it. it. Think Think of of the the names names of of fivefive family family members, members, friends friends or or acquaintances. acquaintances. ThinkThink about about five five more more family family members, members, friends friends or or acquaintances.acquaintances. Write Write the the number number 10 10 on on your your paper paper and and thenthen write write their their first first names. names. NowNow write write five five more.more. AndAnd now now writewrite five five more.more. AfterAfter you you came came up up with with the the first first few few names, names, you you probablyprobably thought thought you you were were out out of of names. names. However, However, if if youyou kept kept at at it, it, you you came came up up with with more. more. You You tapped tapped into into youryour creativity. creativity. Do Do not not give give up up when when you you first first run run out out of of ideasideas while while brainstorming. brainstorming. Keep Keep at at it, it, even even if if it it seems seems silly.silly. New New and and creative creative ideas ideas are are just just waiting waiting to to pop pop out, out, ifif you you stick stick with with it. it. Now,Now, think think back back to to the the job job interview interview and and broken broken car car problem. problem. Brainstorm Brainstorm "How"How can can I Imake make it it to to the the interview interview on on time?" time?" Remember, Remember, just just come come up up withwith ideas. ideas. Do Do not not stop stop to to think think if if they they are are good good or or bad. bad. Write Write the the number number 1111 on on your your paper paper and and then then write write them them down, down, even even if if they they seem seem silly. silly. fix the car take a cab hitch hike call a friend Here is a list some call an enemy Here is a list some brainstormers came up run brainstormers came up with.with. walk steal a bike steal a car hop skip jump use a pogo stick take a plane take a bus take a jet ask somebody to carry you call 911 call the interviewer and tell him you will be late call a tow truck ask people on the street for help stand on the corner and hope the interviewer walks by take the subway take a train take a boat fax the interviewer e-mail the interviewer have Scotty beam you there borrow a horse steal a horse buy a horse buy a car buy a bike pray make an animal sacrifice call your minister call your mom call your dad call your brother call your sister ManyMany of of these these are are just just call your wife plainplain stupid. stupid. But But some some call your ex-wife ofof them them are are good. good. We We would have missed call a doctor would have missed thethe good good ones ones if if we we wish yourself there hadhad just just stopped stopped with with ask a cop for help “fix“fix the the car.” car.” call your mechanic AfterAfter you’ve you’ve got got your your call AAA listlist –– cross cross offoff thethe call AA dumbdumb ones. ones. call an old drinking friend call one of your coworkers NowNow were were ready ready to to do do some some long long term-short term-short term term consequential consequential thinking.thinking. WhileWhile some some ideas ideas might might solve solve the the problem problem in in the the short short term, term, they they cancan cause cause problems problems over over time. time. ForFor example, example, you you might might have have gott gottenen to to the the interview interview on on time time if if youyou had had stolen stolen a a car. car. But But what what good good would would all all of of that that be, be, if if you you werewere shortly shortly thereafter thereafter sent sent to to prison? prison? AA good good real real life life example example is is what what happened happened to to Australia. Australia. In In th thee late late 1600’s 1600’s the the BritishBritish colonized colonized Australia. Australia. They They set set up up huge huge plantations plantations and and were were getting getting rich.rich. But But the the English English gentlemen gentlemen were were bo bored,.red,. Back Back home home they they liked liked to to fox fox hunt hunt andand shooting shooting kangaroos kangaroos didn’t didn’t seem seem cric cricket.ket. They They brought brought over over some some rabbits rabbits forfor hunting hunting and and food. food. They They solved solved their their problem problem in in the the short short run. run. Unfortunately,Unfortunately, there there were were no no natural natural predatory predatory enemies enemies for for rabbits rabbits in in Australia,Australia, so so theythey breedbreed andand breedbreed untiluntil theirtheir numbersnumbers nearlynearly destroyeddestroyed the the economy. economy. In In the the long long run, run, their their solution solution was was disastrous.. disastrous.. Today'sToday's solutions solutions should should not not become become tomorrow’s tomorrow’s problems. problems. And And they they won’twon’t be, be, if if we we stop stop and and think think of of the the consequences consequences before before we we decide decide whatwhat to to do. do. TheThe last last step step is is What What is is the the best best deal deal under under the the circumstances. circumstances. MostMost people people think think they they know know what what they they want want and and oftenoften they they do. do. However, However, approaching approaching this this questionquestion carefullycarefully makesmakes suresure thatthat youyou dodo notnot skipskip anythinganything before before you you decide decide what what you you want want to to do. do. YouYou can can do do this this with with two two thinking thinking skills: skills: MostMost of of the the problems problems you you face face involve involve other other people. people. You You mightmight think think a a good good plan plan would would make make other other people's people's views views unimportant.unimportant. After After all, all, a a good good plan plan is is a a good good plan. plan. However, However, peoplepeople think, think, feel feel and and want want diffe differentlyrently than than each each other other and and if if youyou want want to to get get other other people people to to cooperate, cooperate, on on this this and and other other problems,problems, you you have have to to add add that that to to your your plan. plan. InIn the the extreme, extreme, a a bad bad solution solution might might cr createeate enemies enemies that that will will sabotage sabotage you you nownow and and even even later later on. on. For For example, example, if if your your car car broke broke down down on on the the way way to to anan interview, interview, one one possible possible solution solution is is to to call call your your brother. brother. He He could could come come andand give give you you a a ride. ride. That That would would certainly certainly solve solve your your problem. problem. However, However, it it isis 1 1 PM PM and and he he works works nights. nights. This This is is the the middle middle of of his his sleeping sleeping time. time. He He mightmight help, help, but but he he might might also also feel feel he he was was being being pestered. pestered. Maybe Maybe another another solutionsolution would would just just as as well well and and not not create create new new problems.. problems.. TheThe last last thinking thinking tool tool is is Pluses Pluses and and Minuses. Minuses. It It is is easy easy to to get get stuck stuck on on aa solution solution that that you you like like and and only only think think of of why why it it is is good. good. It It is is just just as as easyeasy to to reject reject an an idea idea that that you you do do no not tlike like and and only only look look at at the the negative negative side.side. Doing Doing Pluses Pluses and and Minuses Minuses for forcesces you you to to intentionally intentionally look look at at bothboth the the good good side side and and the the bad bad side. side. Pluses Pluses and and Minuses Minuses keeps keeps you you fromfrom deciding deciding the the value value of of an an idea idea based based on on your your initial initial feelings feelings rather rather thanthan on on the the value value of of the the idea. idea. AfterAfter you you looked looked at at both both sides sides of of the the issue, issue, your your original original feelings feelings might might be be the the same.same. Then Then again, again, they they might might have have changed. changed. You You would would never never have have known known which which positionposition was was best best if if you you had had just just stopped stopped thinking thinking after after you you initially initially thoughts. thoughts. Let’sLet’s try try this this with with marijuana. marijuana. Write Write the the number number 12 12 on on your your paper paper and and then then write write 5 5 reasonsreasons marijuana marijuana should should be be legalized legalized and and 5 5 reasons reasons why why it it should should not. not. The The idea idea is is toto think think about about both both sides sides of of the the issue issue (whether (whether you you agree agree with with the the other other side side or or not)not) NowNow it it is is a a simple simple step step to to look look over over the the choices choices and and pick pick the the one one that that hashas the the most most to to gain gain at at the the least least costs. costs. YouYou might might be be thinking thinking that that positivepositive problemproblem solvingsolving isis OK,OK, butbut "who"who hashas timetime toto gogo through through all all of of this?" this?" Or Or maybe maybe you you are are thinking, thinking, "this "this is is just just too too much much work." work." IfIf a a truck truck is is zooming zooming at at you you 70 70 miles miles per per hour, hour, you you don’t don’t have have time time to to “Hey “Hey what what isis really really going going on on here?” here?” You You do do not not have have tim timee to to do do all all of of this this and and it it is is too too much much work.work. You You are are better better off off relying relying on on your your gut gut reactions reactions under under these these circumstances. circumstances. ButBut how how many many times times a a day day do do you you have have to to make make split split second second decisions decisions concerning concerning importantimportant matters? matters? How How much much time time do do you you have have to to make make most most of of the the decisions decisions youyou face face daily? daily? Few Few of of your your problems problems rea reallylly require require split split second second decisions. decisions. Most Most ofof the the time time we we have, have, minutes, minutes, hours hours and and days days to to make make decisions. decisions. WriteWrite thethe numbernumber 1313 onon youryour paperpaper andand wrwriteite aboutabout somethingsomething thatthat happened happened inin youryour lifelife thatthat wouldwould havehave turnedturned outout bebettertter ifif youyou hadhad donedone justjust a a littlelittle ofof thisthis problemproblem solving solving first first – – before before you you acted. acted.

Remember – Don’t burn your bridges!