a baby bird maybe that could solve the puzzle, a kitten, write down all the possibilities you can think of. Then focus on the next part of the puzzle "twenty story building" twenty floors, What floor was the baby on? Twentieth floor, ground floor that would also solve the puzzle, Again write everything down you can. But at this point for thi simple example I think correct answer's pretty clear: the baby (what ever kind) fell out of a ground floor window.
When it comes to lateral thinking puzzles the answers are always in plain sight. You simple need to pick it apart and explore each part on its own and the answers will show themselves, no real challenge there.
Hollywood is famous for employing lateral thinking in the movies as the turning point that saves the day. One of my favorite movies, Independence Day is a prime example.
The human race is doomed to be eradicated by an Alien invasion. Actor Jeff Goldblum's character, David, an obsessed environmentalist is feeling defeated, everyone's ideas have failed. Accepting the end is near David gets drunk for the first time in his life and is found by his father on the concrete floor. His dad tells David to get up off the concrete floor before you catch a cold. This sparked an idea in David to plant a virus in the alien's computers.
A little lateral thinking turn the tables on the nasty aliens and you'll have to watch the movie to see how it turns out. Please don't rush out and get drunk, that's not the lesson to be learned here.
The point is it took the random outside stimulus, the word "cold" to trigger the idea of planting a computer virus.
From there logical thinking carried the plan out.
But real life problems we face every day in our lives and our careers are not so easy to solve but the same principles will apply.
Think tank SFI a new tool for the mind 'cracks the code' on how to use Lateral thinking in real time to have fresh new ideas on demand
The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas (Dr. Linus Pauling) and a little random outside stimulation, (the thought provoking kind) to ignite a tsunami of ideas hidden from you is all that's needed.
The biggest obstacle to training your mind to think laterally is your logical mind thinking this is sheer nonsense!
If there is an opposite of logical thinking it would be creative thinking and lateral thinking bridges the two.
Using Random outside stimulus is a very practical way to develop your lateral thinking skills but it won't be easy. Your logical mind will fight you tooth and nail.
Filling your mind with more creative thinking neurons will take time.
You can find out more about how to do that with Lateral thinking at ThinkTankSFI.com a new tool for the mind. This software for innovation is designed to unleash your creative power. Go check it out now!