How can Creative Problem Solving help you identify your values and priorities?

2 Step 2: Generate ideas

In the second step of CPS, you need to use creative thinking techniques to generate ideas that can solve the problem, such as career options that match your values and priorities. Brainstorming is a great way to get started, writing down as many ideas as you can without judging or filtering them. Mind mapping is also useful, drawing a map of your career ideas and how they relate to each other and to your values and priorities. You can also use SCAMPER, an acronym to modify your career ideas by asking yourself how you can Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, or Reverse them. Or you can pick a random word from a dictionary or book and use it to inspire new career ideas. All of these techniques can help you generate a variety of possibilities and expand your options.

3 Step 3: Evaluate ideas

The third step of CPS is to evaluate the ideas that you have generated and select the best ones. To do this, you need to use analytical thinking techniques such as SWOT analysis, listing the pros and cons of each career option, ranking them according to how well they fit your values and priorities, and creating a decision matrix. This matrix should have your career options as rows and your values and priorities as columns. Assigning a score to each option for each criterion and calculating the total score can help you evaluate the feasibility, suitability, and desirability of each career option and choose the most promising ones. Ultimately, the best ideas are those career options that meet your criteria of values and priorities.

4 Step 4: Implement solutions

The fourth and final step of CPS is to implement the solutions that you have selected, or in this case, the action plans that will help you achieve your career change. To do this, you need to use some planning and execution techniques such as SMART goals, action steps, resources, and feedback. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals for your career change. Action steps involve breaking down your goals into smaller and manageable tasks that can be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Resources refer to the skills, knowledge, tools, mentors, or networks that you need to support your career change. Lastly, feedback involves monitoring your progress and results and seeking feedback from yourself and others to improve your performance and adjust your plans. By using these techniques you can increase your chances of finding a career that fulfills your personal and professional needs and aspirations.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?