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Preppers try to anticipate problems that will occur from disasters such as prolonged power blackouts. No matter how well prepared a prepper is, however, Murphys Law also will require a prepper to be adaptable. Being adaptable means being creative, and this article will discuss how preppers can approach problems creatively.

One way to become more creative is to learn from mistakes. If a prepper family, for example, voluntarily goes one or two days without electrical power, they can learn how well prepared they are for a real power blackout. By finding the flaws in their power blackout preparations, they can fix those problems before the real power blackout occurs.

Another way to be creative is to overcome mistakes by slightly altering coping behaviors. If, for example, a critical piece of equipment breaks during a practice exercise, similar to the one just described, the prepper needs to buy more expensive, higher quality equipment. Also, the prepper should have back up equipment to provide redundant capabilities.

In addition, preppers should be willing to piggy back with the creativity of other people. For example, the prepper family members could brainstorm solutions to a problem. One family member might come up with the solution. If the problem is very complex, however, the family might best solve the problem by taking ideas from two or more family members and combining them in a way that best solves the problem.

If the problem is very difficult, however, the family members might need to take a break and let the problem incubate in their minds for a while. When the family members get back together, after a break, they might have come up with a good solution to the problem.

Such incubation periods also work well for preppers who are trying to solve a problem alone, when brainstorming is not practical. During the incubation period, the preppers can capture ideas as they occur. These ideas might occur at odd times, such as when the preppers are doing other, unrelated activities.

By carrying a small notebook or miniature recorder, preppers can capture and preserve these ideas. Later review of these ideas will reveal that not all of them lead to good solutions, but some of them probably will be worthwhile.

During an emergency such as a power blackout, stress will be a major barrier to creative problem solving, which is best fostered by a relaxed, almost playful attitude. Thus, stress management should be a high priority for preppers.

What do you do to harness your creativity when you are solving problems? Please comment below.

http://www.examiner.com/article/preppers-should-become-creative-problem-solvers-iv