Creative Problem-Solving Notes

A compact workbook for reframing challenges and testing practical ideas.

Inside this sample

Three practical ideas, written as original placeholder content for demonstration and
personal use.

Original sample document Page 1

 1. Describe the challenge clearly
Describe the challenge clearly is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by
making the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then
turn it into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends
on ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What is one small action you could take this week?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 2

 2. Identify assumptions
Identify assumptions is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by making the
situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then turn it into a
small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends on ideal
conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What would make this idea easier to repeat?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 3

 3. Collect useful observations
Collect useful observations is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by making
the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then turn it
into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends on
ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What information would help you decide what to try next?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 4

 4. Generate many possibilities
Generate many possibilities is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by making
the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then turn it
into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends on
ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What is one small action you could take this week?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 5

 5. Group ideas by learning value
Group ideas by learning value is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by
making the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then
turn it into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends
on ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What would make this idea easier to repeat?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 6

 6. Choose a small experiment
Choose a small experiment is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by making
the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then turn it
into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends on
ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What information would help you decide what to try next?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 7

 7. Decide what success looks like
Decide what success looks like is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by
making the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then
turn it into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends
on ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What is one small action you could take this week?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 8

 8. Run and document the test
Run and document the test is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by making
the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then turn it
into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends on
ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What would make this idea easier to repeat?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 9

 9. Share and improve the result
Share and improve the result is a useful step in a sustainable problem-solving practice. Start by
making the situation visible in plain language. Choose one observation you can verify this week, then
turn it into a small action. A clear, modest action is easier to carry out than a perfect plan that depends
on ideal conditions. Keep the action specific: name when it will happen, what materials or information it
requires, and what would count as a helpful result. As you work, pay attention to friction. If the step
feels hard to repeat, reduce its size or remove one obstacle rather than giving up on it. Write down
what you noticed, including surprises. This record becomes a practical guide for your next decision and
helps you distinguish a temporary setback from a pattern worth addressing. Progress in a
problem-solving practice usually comes from repeated adjustments, not one dramatic change.

Reflection prompt
What information would help you decide what to try next?

Notes: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Original sample document Page 10