The Invisible Mentor Weekly Newsletter: Brain Food Fridays Number 72: How Good Are You at Problem Solving?

Dear Reader,

In the past, have you attended conferences, bought books from speakers you loved, then promptly placed them on your bookshelf when you returned home? Or have you bought books based on recommendations from people you trust, yet they remain unread on your beautiful bookshelf, gathering dust? Additionally, how many unread books are starting to topple over on your nightstand?

Some books contain information that could solve urgent problems and pressing issues. How much is not reading the books costing you?

On June 1, 2021, I started another round of a reading challenge in my Facebook group. This one is different because participants are reading eight books during June, and they’ll be learning how to read selectively as well as synthesize the information from the books they read. In fact, I recorded a special training for them yesterday and dropped it in my Facebook group. Many of you joined this list because you participated in one of my previous reading challenges.

The new reading challenge is meant to help you put a dent in the number of unread books that are taunting you every day. They’re silently chanting “Please read me, please read me.” Now you have the opportunity to start reading them. You can put a dent in your list of unread books in no time because you’ll be reading like a leader. Leaders don’t read books sequentially, instead they only read what they need to know.

Join today! This training will make a difference in your career and business.

This morning, as I was revisiting work I did in 2014, I was once again reminded of the importance of lifelong learning and tapping into your creativity. When you’re learning continuously, you’re building your general knowledge, which will help you to creatively problem solve.

The blog post I was updating was based on a lecture I attended at the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management. The speaker, Marty Neumeier, based his presentation off his book, 46 Rules of Genius.

He defines genius as:

“Anyone who turns insights into innovation and in the process changes our view of what is possible.”

When you participate in the reading challenge I started yesterday, one of the things you’ll be doing is to pick out the big ideas from the books you read. You’re also asked to combine the ideas across the books you read, and in that process, you’re increasing your chances to innovate. Innovation also happens when you combine two or more old elements in different ways. Additionally, you see what others miss, and that’s a very good thing.

[Marty Neumeier’s Rules of Genius Presentation]

Ask Avil

How Good Are You at Problem Solving?

This question came to me as I was reading Bulletproof Problem Solving. For the past several years, problem solving has been on the list of top skills the World Economic Forum says you need to thrive. Learning this one skill can and will make a difference in your life.

How would you rank yourself on your ability to problem solve on a scale of 1 to 10? One would be you don’t have a clue how to problem solve and 10 would be a master at problem solving. How would someone who knows you well rank your problem solving ability?

A simple way to become better at problem solving is to incorporate a daily practice of getting ideas. The way to do that is to consume what Rohit Bhargava calls “brainful” media. If you spend just 15 minutes each day feeding your mind, you’ll have a pool of ideas to draw on when you face a problem. Anyone can find 15 minutes each day. If you don’t believe me, track your time use for a month. You’ll be surprised by how much time you waste on activities that don’t take you closer to your goals.

In the MacGyver Secret there’s a 3-step process to solve any problem you may have. You learn how to tap into your Inner Mac to find the best solution to your problem – you rely on yourself.

Write down the problem you have to solve. Be as specific as possible.
Tell you Inner Mac to work on the problem for you. Set a time limit to solve the problem , then let it go. Do unrelated activities that are physical and unimaginative.
When the time is up, ask your Inner Mac for the answer. Start writing everything that comes to you.

[Summary: The MacGyver Secret by Lee David Zlotoff]

What I’m Reading

I finished reading Hook Point by Brendan Kane. Today, I’ll finish reading Bulletproof Problem Solving, then I’ll return to The Art of Opportunity.

Hook Point by Brendan Kane

Hook Point had some really good information that could be a game changer for you. However, overall, I did not like the book. It’s filled with too many case studies and examples, and links that lead back to the author’s resources. It’s important to have case studies and examples to show what you’re saying. But how many case studies would be enough?

The book is overly promotional. Brendan Kane includes his email address in several sections of the book, promoting his services.

There was no clear definition of a hook point. The author tells you what it’s composed of and by way of his examples, you need to figure it out for yourself. On the other hand, if you master the art of creating hook points, you can engage your audience and increase the number of followers. I particularly liked the 5-step process Kane outlined to create hook points.

I read Hook Point by Brendan Kane because I wanted to learn how to effectively create hook points. I’m the first to admit that I’m not the most engaging person and my message often goes unheard. Has that ever happened to you? Here are a few tidbits from the book.

The purpose of a hook point is to get people interested in learning more about your content or business.
Hook points are important for standing out within online clutter in today’s fast-paced world.
You can use hook points both online and offline to grab attention in the shortest amount of time possible.
If/Then Formula can be used for a powerful hook. An example: IF you have unread books that you bought at conferences, or books you bought based on recommendations, that have information that could solve pressing issues and urgent problems, THEN I can help you get through them in record time.

The Invisible Mentor Blog

I’ve mentioned The One Problem Series that I’ve been doing and it’s slowly getting traction. People are sharing the interviews on social media and some of them are now reaching out to me to interview them. I think that’s news worth sharing. The videos are short, so they’re easy enough to listen to.

Here are the Episodes that I’ve published on my blog so far.

Blog Series On Selective Reading

5 Common Reading Mistakes You Don’t Realize You’re Making

How I Came to Teach Professionals How to Read Selectively to Accelerate Their Business

5 Things You Never Knew about Reading Books

Before And After You Learn How to Read Selectively

Thinking About Investing in the Business Knowledge Accelerator Program?

Product Alert

7 Day Reading Makeover Challenge is a great product to start off with. You’ll learn how to read like a leader, as well as how to synthesize information.

Reading Makeover Challenge

Until Next Week,

Avil Beckford, Founder, The Invisible Mentor!

theinvisiblementor.com

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The Invisible Mentor Weekly Newsletter: Brain Food Fridays Number 72: How Good Are You at Problem Solving?

Some books contain information that could solve urgent problems and pressing issues. How much is not reading the books costing you?​​

​Join today! This training will make a difference in your career and business.​​

“Anyone who turns insights into innovation and in the process changes our view of what is possible.”

[Marty Neumeier’s Rules of Genius Presentation]

Ask Avil

​

[Summary: The MacGyver Secret by Lee David Zlotoff]

What I’m Reading​

Hook Point by Brendan Kane​

The Invisible Mentor Blog​