Image credit: a__n
I am preparing a short (20 minutes or so) program on how to think quickly under pressure.
Normally I have a lot more time to work with in my presentations (60 to 90 minutes for a keynote, and up to half a day for a creativity/innovation training), so I have to distill it down into the key elements.
It’s challenging. Fun, but definitely challenging.
At a fundamental level, here are the three principles of quick thinking:
- All people have a creative genius inside of them. Yes, even you! They just block it with excessive thinking and analysis.
- Quick thinking is actually about deciding quickly. It’s not that you can’t think of an idea quickly. It’s that you haven’t practiced quickly evaluating, deciding, and letting go of the ideas you don’t use.
- High emotion blocks creativity and promotes tunnel vision. This is why you feel like you “freeze up” under pressure. Relaxing before beginning any exercise that will require fast thinking and decision making will serve you well.
If you want to think more quickly on your feet, focus on these three things, and practice often!
If you, your team, or your organization could use some help becoming comfortable with fast decision-making, let’s talk!