First Blog

 I'm often asked how I think about a new problem, like what come to mind.  A couple of thoughts come to mind when I first get a problem to solve. A. Comparison. Is this problem similar to problems I know how to solve? If yes, work to convert or transform the problem to one familiar. B. Simplify. If I simplify the problem some way, can I then solve it? If yes, then solve the simpler problem and try to work up to the actual problem. C. Eliminate. Learn how to eliminate solving ideas that will fail. Otherwise, you can get bogged down on a false trail. (Geniuses excel at this.) D. Read. If nothing rings a bell, I look at references about or related the problem and work from there. Hope for A or B. Yet, at any time reading up on materials can stimulate thinking. All in all, lots of problem solving experience is most important.

  Read too much, and you become dependent and lazy in your thinking. Read too little, and you become vulnerable to specious ideas. -------------------- Unresolved what are: too much? too little?  Beware of questions easy to ask and impossible to answer. 

Lots of help is available for keeping your brain healthy and sharp. Below are the tips from two websites – brief version. All have merit. Go to the sites for details. Here is the first block of seven tips. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249752 1. Play a musical instrument. 2. Read anything. 3. Exercise regularly. 4. Learn a new language.  5. Test your cumulative learning. 6. Work out your brain, e.g games. 7. Meditate.  At another website we gain more tips, this time numbering eight. http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1011439-8-ways-keep-brain-sharp-age 1. Learn Something New and Complex. 2. Re-Train Your Body. 3. Practice Public Speaking. 4. Use Two Senses Together. 5. Flex Your Short- and Long-Term Memory. 6. Connect and Be Affectionate. 7. Declutter Your Brain. 8. Get Treatment if Necessary. All of these have value. In both sets there is commonality. Extras: Note the overlap and possible recast of some of the above a. Get enough sleep. b. Don’t dwe