Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is not to think too deep when you are looking for a solution to a problem. It's an art to think simple and common thoughts, and a whole lot more difficult than you are willing to admit.nnIt is in our human nature to think deep and complex, yet the answers to most of our problems are really easy and right in front of us. The trick is to develop a way not to think too complex.nnNow if you think it is easy to think "simple", think again. Way, way back 3700 years ago the Greeks already invented toilets that could flush waste away, yet it took another 3600 years before toilet paper (as we know it) was invented in 1903 by Kimberly Clark. Toilet paper was actually invented in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty but it was not until 1903 that "splinter free" (ouch!) toilet paper was invented.nnTo make my point a little more clear perhaps I should illustrate with the light bulb not invented by Thomas Edison but he managed to make the first "perfect" incandescent lamps . It took old Thomas many years to perfect the light bulb and thousands of experiments with different materials. Ok, I know you all know the story of persistence... but let me explain how Thomas Edison could have completed his invention in the very first year if he did not think too deep.nnWhen he started his experiments in inventing the light bulb two things were already common knowledge:nn1. If you send an electric current through resisting material it will burn bright white and give of light. Unfortunately it burns to ashes so the light is more like a camera flash - it only lasts for a second. Same principle a fuse works on.nnNow this is where Edison got stuck - he was searching for the ultimate material that would not burn out.nn2. At the same time it was also common knowledge that if material is burned in the absence of oxygen, then this material would not oxidise and burn out, but it will form charcoal. And charcoal as we all know when we braai (barbeque for the Americans), will burn for a long time.nnYet, it took Thomas Edison many years to bring the second thought into place. He was thinking so deep and looking for the ultimate material that he never thought of the absence of oxygen and charcoal in his experiments. Only when he brought the two common thoughts together did he succeed. Thomas was a bright boy, but he was thinking too deep. Of course it sounds totally logical now, but it did cost Thomas Edison a good number of years of his life.nnThe humble Hot Dog as one legend has it, was invented in 1904. A German entrepreneur sold sausages to visitors at the world fair in St Louis. He loaned his clients white gloves to eat the sausages with (to distinguish himself from the other sausage sellers). Problem was that the clients walked off with his white gloves. So he asked his brother in law (a baker) to bake him long rolls to put the sausages into. Thus the hot-dog was created with a simple thought. The history of the hot dog is highly debatable, but I like the above versionnnThe Ice Cream cone was only invented 300 years after the invention of ice-cream. What can you think of today (by not thinking too deep) that can change the way we do things today?nnWe are so pre-occupied and prejudiced in our thinking that we seldom walk around with open minds. The trick is to think like a child again, curious, and open minded, not cluttered with "superior" knowledge and pre-conceived garbage. Think silly things.... your fortune may be in these silly thoughts. Ask these questions when you ponder - how, why, what, if, could, when, and then "why?" again. nnChildren who ask the question why?... why?... why?... are on the right track. Don't you ever get annoyed or irritated. Listen to them when you try and answer their simple questions. Your next fortune or break in life may very well be in the answer your provide to this child. And like in the case of the light bulb, it will be a combination of common thoughts that will create the answer. nnCan you come up with a combo of common knowledge to make life easier for mankind and create your fortune in the process?nnAs always, my sincere wishes for a great life. nTheo PistoriusnP.S. And you are welcome to flame me if you disagree with me. I am also learning when I speak, so there is great room for improvement in my life.nP.P.S. If you like what you read, (or hate it, but it entertains you) join our Bwise Mastermind for free. The articles I publish via email to members are even better. I guarantee personal and business growth if you really want it. If you are already a member, no need to join again. Please tell your friends to join if you think they will profit through these articles.nn© 2004, Theo Pistorius.nYou are welcome to copy and publish my articles as long as you give me full credit and refer your readers to
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