When it comes to solving problems, the greatest obstacle is often failure to see beyond Thats all I can do or Thats the way its always been done. We often fail to open our minds and examine all possible solutions to the problem. Sure, some may not be feasible; some may even be impossible. But until you have examined all possible solutions to the problem, you are restricting your thinking and therefore the results. One wild, seemingly off-the-wall idea might lead to the discovery of a realistic alternative. The process of generating and considering all possible solutions to a problem is called brainstorming. To practice your brainstorming skills, consider the following situation:

The driver of an 18-wheel semi-trailer truck lost control of his rig on an icy Midwestern interstate. The load, ten tons of empty walnut shells, poured into the highways median. Your team at work has been assigned the project of deciding how to make use of the worthless shells. I want you individually to Brainstorm all possible solutions. You will need to develop at least ten (10) possible solutions.