Бесплатный фрагмент - The Mind Workshop

The Mind Workshop: Samples of the Best Techniques for Intellectual Development. Part 1

Annotation

This book is a unique collection of samples of the most effective methods for developing thinking. It contains the maximum number of practical techniques, allowing each reader to find what suits them best. You will be able to try each technique, evaluate its effectiveness, and by the end of the book, become familiar with the vast majority of the best practices for intellectual development. This will allow you to choose a direction for further in-depth study. The book is suitable for absolutely everyone, regardless of experience. Even a simple acquaintance with the presented techniques will change the way your brain works, opening up new horizons of thinking. Immerse yourself in the world of effective methodologies and unlock your intellectual potential! Read one book instead of a hundred and save months of time.

Introduction

Welcome to the world of effective thinking! What you now hold in your hands is not just a book. It is the quintessence of knowledge gathered from hundreds of sources: from classical works on psychology to cutting-edge research in cognitive sciences. It is the result of years of practice, countless experiments, and a constant search for the most effective methods of mind development.

But why is all this necessary? Why did I decide to create this project?

Imagine a world where every person is capable of thinking clearly, quickly, and effectively. A world where people understand each other instantly, where complex problems are solved effortlessly, and innovations are born every day. Sounds like a utopia? Perhaps. But I believe we can approach this ideal.

Too often, I encountered situations where people with enormous potential could not realize it due to the lack of proper thinking tools. I saw how brilliant ideas drowned in a sea of ineffective communication. And I decided to change this.

It’s important to emphasize that there are methodologies here whose effectiveness is proven in principle, there are methodologies that cannot be used fully, but in certain situations or individual elements of the methodology work very effectively, there are methodologies where only a small part actually works, but knowing about it and using it is extremely important, even if the entire methodology as a whole is misleading. This book is my way of sharing tools that have helped me in business and life. This is not just theory — each methodology here has been tested in practice and has proven its effectiveness through personal experience.

We live in an era of rapid change. Old business models are becoming obsolete, replaced by new ones that require a completely different approach to thinking and problem-solving. To stay on the crest of the wave, we need to learn to think faster, more efficiently, more creatively. And that’s exactly what this book teaches.

You might ask: «Why should I trust you?» Well, let me tell you. For more than 15 years of studying various areas of psychology, from hypnosis to political thinking, I have collected and tested in practice many techniques. I have read more than 100 books on psychology, from classical NLP to modern research in systems thinking. But the main thing is — I didn’t just study theory, I applied this knowledge in practice in work, negotiations, personal relationships, in working on my health, and I do it well.

I developed my own model of automatic thinking and decision-making based on mental agents, created a business modeling system that I successfully implement in different companies. I developed one of the successful startups in real estate, developed there the first scoring system in Russia for automating real estate sales, work in an international construction company where I manage marketing and artificial intelligence, and also build a company for implementing generative AI in different companies.

But this book is not just a collection of my experience. It’s an attempt to create a universal toolkit for developing thinking, accessible to everyone. Here you will find techniques that will help you:

Achieve high results in your career

— Learn new skills faster

— Find simple solutions to complex problems

— Think strategically and systemically

And, perhaps most importantly, this book will help you teach your children to think in new ways. After all, many of these methods are intuitively understandable to children, you just need to guide them a little and give them the right tools.

Are you ready to discover the world of effective thinking? Then turn the page — your journey begins right now!

I understand, I continue to rewrite the text, preserving all key ideas and structure.

Samples of Effective Thinking

In this book, you will find simple and effective methods of thinking that will help you solve problems faster and easier. This is exactly what is needed in our dynamic world, where we often can’t keep up with the changes happening around us.

It’s important to understand: this is not a detailed description of techniques. You won’t be able to master them perfectly just by reading this book. But you will get an idea of what exists, what works, and what can be learned if desired. Many of the presented techniques are quite simple to master, and some are even elementary.

What unites all these techniques? Their effectiveness. The benefit from their use far exceeds the costs of mastering them. And what’s especially important — to apply them, you need not to strain, but on the contrary, to relax.

I will provide you with specific situations and examples where these techniques worked. But remember: this doesn’t mean they are limited to only these contexts. The main thing in these examples is their clarity.

This book is written in the spirit of the «age of amateurs». Here you won’t find an exhaustive description of techniques, but you’ll be able to try each of them. If some methodology interests you, you can always study it deeper by referring to specialized sources.

Book Structure

— This book covers a wide range of topics related to effective thinking. Here’s a brief overview of what awaits you:

— Memory: the key to effective learning and development

— TRIZ — Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

— NLP: Managing emotions and states

— Systems Thinking: The Art of Seeing the Whole

— Speed Reading: The Art of Effective Information Absorption

— Critical Thinking: The Art of Rational Analysis and Evaluation of Information

— Creative Thinking: The Art of Creating the New

— Profiling: The Art of Reading People

— Social Engineering: The Art of Manipulating Human Behavior

— Hypnosis: A Journey into the Depths of the Subconscious

— Mathematics: The Key to Understanding the World and Developing Thinking

— Intuition: The Key to Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Thinking

— Appendix: Recommended Literature for In-Depth Study

In each section, you will find theoretical information, practical examples, and exercises. We will look at these topics from different angles so that you can get a complete picture of each technique and its application in real life.

Remember that these are just «samples» — a brief introduction to each topic. If some area particularly interests you, don’t stop there. Use this book as a starting point for further, deeper study.

Ready to start the journey into the world of effective thinking? Then turn the page — your adventure begins right now!

How to Get the Most Out of This Book

Reading this book is not just passive absorption of information. It’s an active process that can significantly change your thinking and life. Here are some tips on how to make this process as effective as possible:

1. Active Reading and Goal Setting

After each chapter, take time to reflect. What interested you the most? Where could you apply this knowledge in your life? Write down a brief, specific goal for using this knowledge. For example: «During the next week, I will apply technique X when solving work tasks.»

Why is this important? Global goals can seem overwhelming and reduce motivation. Small, specific goals, on the contrary, provide quick feedback and can become the beginning of an in-depth study of the topic.

2. Practice and Experiments

In each chapter, you will find exercises and examples to do on your own. Don’t skip them! Even if you’re already familiar with the topic, doing the exercises will help refresh and reinforce skills. If the topic is new to you, it’s even more important to try everything in practice. Personal experience is dozens of times more effective than theoretical knowledge.

3. Two Minutes That Will Change Everything

Take just two minutes after reading each chapter to answer a few simple questions. This may seem insignificant, but these two minutes can double the effectiveness of your learning. Imagine: you spent half an hour reading a chapter, and then just two minutes to double the benefit from what you’ve read. Isn’t it worth it?

4. Overcoming Discomfort

If a topic evokes negative emotions in you — fear, dislike, internal conflict — don’t avoid it. On the contrary, pay special attention to it. Often it is in such «uncomfortable» topics that the greatest potential for personal growth is hidden.

5. Reflection and Integration

After reading each chapter, think about what you want to do with the information received. Review the chapter again, this time from end to beginning. Pay attention to ideas and thoughts that arise in the process. Allow a holistic image of the topic to form in your mind.

6. Sleep and Subconscious Processing

Don’t try to deeply analyze what you’ve read right away. Before going to bed, just quickly scroll through the main points in your head and go to sleep. Your subconscious will continue to work on the information during sleep. The next day, you may find that your understanding of the topic has become deeper and clearer.

7. Long-term Effect

Remember that even simply reading this book, without doing the exercises, is already changing your thinking. Over the next few weeks, pay attention to unexpected ideas and insights — they may be the result of these changes.

8. Critical Thinking

If you feel you don’t believe in something, set aside doubts while reading, and then return to this topic and think about it critically. On the other hand, if you tend to believe everything unconditionally, deliberately question what you read. Healthy skepticism will help you understand the material more deeply.

9. Holistic Perception

After reading the entire book and taking a short break (about a week), you will find that a new structure of thinking has formed in your mind. This structure will influence how you perceive the world and process new information.

Remember that the book covers various aspects of thinking: creativity, strategy, logic, personal effectiveness, and communication. Although each chapter can be attributed to a certain category, all these aspects are interconnected and form a unified system of thinking.

Ready to start? Turn the page and immerse yourself in the world of effective thinking!

Memory: The Key to Effective Learning and Development

Memory plays a crucial role in our lives, especially in the process of learning and skill development. Ideally, everything we develop, we translate into skills and mastery that occur automatically. However, to analyze, train, or study something, we first need to remember it. Our ability to use our knowledge effectively depends on whether we can retrieve the necessary information from memory.

The skill of memorization is necessary for learning anything. If we study something for years but still don’t remember it, in most cases, it’s almost useless. It’s much more effective to spend a minute on purposeful memorization than hours rereading the same thing in the hope that the information will somehow stick in memory.

Ask yourself a few questions:

— How much information have you studied but already lost due to poor memory?

— How good do you consider your memory to be?

— How difficult does the process of memorization seem to you?

— How capable do you consider yourself in terms of memorizing information?

The Phenomenon of Memory and Its Multifaceted Nature

Memory is quite a multifaceted substance. On one hand, it doesn’t depend on how many times or how exactly we memorize, because if we saw, heard, or felt something, it was immediately recorded in the brain. This is the first property of memory — a certain block of information storage. This block carries everything, memory about absolutely everything, it’s the foundation on which all our memory is based.

Types of memory:

— Short-term memory stores data for the recent period, and it’s quite easy for us to access it.

— Long-term memory is memory in broader strokes, the ability to remember our history. It doesn’t delve so much into details; in this type of memory, we rather remember some big facts, which is more like a level of understanding.

We can extract information from these types of memory in different ways: somewhere it’s stored in large layers, some things we remember, some we forget (or rather, we can’t retrieve this information), some is stored in more detail, and it’s easier for us to extract information from there (in short-term memory).

Physical Manifestation of Memory

Physically, our memory looks like interconnections between neurons. As soon as an event happens to us, it’s recorded in our head in the form of a connection. When we start to access this memory location, we strengthen these connections. Neurons exchange information through these connections, and these connections deepen, so to speak.

Imagine that one connection is your footprints on a lawn. You experienced some event, and it created a connection. You see these footprints, but if you walked on the lawn only once, the footprints are not clear. The more time passes, the harder it is to understand exactly where you walked, and these footprints gradually begin to diminish and fade. If we start to constantly recall this event, it’s akin to starting to walk in this place constantly. After a couple of months, instead of barely noticeable footprints on this lawn, you will already see a whole trodden path.

The Influence of Emotionality on Memorization

Emotionality plays an important role in the process of memorization. The less emotional events are, the harder it is for people to remember them. If something very good or very bad happened to us, we remember this time very well and can recall it after many years, but what happened a couple of hours before that, we may already not be able to remember.

If we return to our analogy with the path, imagine that you’re not walking on it in shoes, but you have very heavy caterpillar tracks on your feet that press into the soil when you walk and simultaneously plow it. That is, you literally tread this path in one pass, and it remains visible from afar and for a long time.

The Ability to Retrieve Information from Memory

An important characteristic of memory is the ability to retrieve information. When we repeatedly recall emotionally involved moments, it’s as if we’re putting markers on books in our memory library, by which we can find this information. This ability is often more important than the process of memorization itself, because whatever we do, we remember everything, and if we know how to extract information from our memory base, we can remember, and if we don’t know how, we’ll think that we’ve forgotten it.

Memorization methods are about highlighting layers of information in our head so that we can see them from afar. All information is stored in the head anyway, good memory is precisely the ability to access your memory library, find the shelf where the necessary memory is stored, read the book that describes this event.

Memory Distortion

Another property of memory is its distortion, which actually doesn’t affect real memory, as real memory remains as it was initially, but is distorted in the process of recollection. That is, we always have the same books on the shelves of memory that we can always read, but gradually we start to make notes in the margins or read through glasses that distort the text itself. We read about other events, but the original text remains untouched, however, we don’t look at it. Moreover, we begin to distort any memory, all events in our head are distorted under the pressure of our beliefs and thoughts.

Children’s Memory

Children have excellent memory from birth. They simply understand some facts, and memory is stored at the level of understanding, and after some time expands at the level of imagination. Children use certain mental rooms where they see their memory library. That is, they can not blindly address it and try to find the necessary book in the dark, paying attention to the illuminated books, but they see the whole room and can transform it as they like, so their memory is perfect.

Children subconsciously use all the most advanced memory technologies that we can study. But at some point, we begin to create in them the belief that in order to remember, you need to memorize, which leads to the light in this room gradually fading. They lose these mental rooms that they visualized.

When children recall something, they really look with their inner eye at this picture and see it much better than adults. That is, when adults will recall what was written on the pages of some book, they will recall images that they have in their head based on the topic, words, text, but a child can imagine the very sheet on which the text was written, and simply read it.

But when we start telling the child that they need to memorize, they learn to do it. Before, they had no problems with this, they just remembered, and now they understand that they don’t know what it means to memorize, and begin to learn it. And to learn to memorize something when you already remember everything, you need to start forgetting. Thus, we form in children the skill of forgetting information and create negative beliefs that sound positive, because we tell them that they should learn to memorize, and the phrase itself sounds like a positive intention.

In reality, everything we will learn is already in children, and we can analyze how they do it to improve our skills, and to improve their skills, they primarily need not to be hindered, and better to support more associative methods and visualization in the head.

Chain of Associations

The standard model of memory learning is memorization, that is, a model in which we have to walk along the path many, many times to finally tread it. This is quite inefficient and takes a very long time, and while we walk along this path, we can get tired or gradually start to turn, deviate to the side, creating a slightly crooked path. This is now the standard learning model. For children, however, this model consists of associative thinking, mental models of memory. So which path should we take when memorizing? The answer is simple — the children’s way, because the child’s way of perceiving information is what nature created, which is much more effective than the methods we can come up with.

To remember some information, it’s easiest to quickly «plow this path» and remember the information right away. For this, we can create an emotional connection and associations. That is, we have something that we remember very well, something close to us and evoking emotions in us, we connect this with what we need to remember, and remembering the first thing, which we have already remembered long ago, we can recall the information we were trying to remember, because in our head they are connected, and one image appears immediately after the second.

This is how the associative memory system works. We create a chain of events, and this allows us to create a possibility where we need to remember only one event, and the rest will depend on it. That is, there’s no need to remember everything. On the same principle, you can connect two events, if one follows from the other, we can remember both events, and the main thing is to remember the first one. We kind of highlight one book, next to which we put several more. We don’t need to highlight each one, we put a lamp near one book and, finding it, we find the others.

Example of Using a Chain of Associations

For example, we need to remember a list of products that we need to buy in the store: banana, coconut, dragon fruit, potatoes, and egg. We can imagine in our head a picture of how we go to the store and see a person eating a banana, and as soon as he finishes eating it, he throws away the peel, which falls on the floor. Another visitor to the store slips on this peel and crashes to the floor with a bang, flying up on the peel. At the time when he falls, he throws up a coconut, which falls and breaks. And you realize that the crash was just from the coconut falling. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a dragon appears, which at the sight of the coconut begins to lick its lips and quickly flies to it. On the dragon’s head, you see pink skins and green leaves like hair (this is a reference to dragon fruit). The dragon flies up to the coconut and begins to eat it greedily, digging out the pulp from one part of the broken coconut and drinking the juice through a straw from the other half. As soon as the security sees that the dragon is standing in the middle of the store, they begin to surround it and try to attack. Since they have no weapons to attack it, they take potatoes, set them on fire, and throw them at the dragon. The dragon, feeling the hit of the fiery potato, quickly takes off in fright, as it doesn’t understand what’s happening, and hits the shelf where the eggs were with its tail. They all fall to the floor, the whole floor is covered in eggs, the guards grab their heads, and the person who was eating the banana tries to slip away unnoticed.

This text is not so difficult to remember because it’s unusual and evokes an emotional response in the head. The appearance of each event is connected to another, so remembering the person who was eating the banana, you can remember the whole chain. After that, you will remember, based on your associations, the entire shopping list.

It’s important that the associations are close to you, that is, they emotionally resonate with you specifically, so the associations that were convenient for me will probably be inconvenient for you, and it will be more difficult for you to remember my visualization. Therefore, it’s important to create your own associations.

Technique for Remembering Names

How often have you encountered a situation where you met someone and instantly forgot their name? Would you like to always remember the names of people you meet? How difficult do you think this is to do, and can you change this without any training?

When you meet a new person, you usually hear their name, at this moment you already start thinking about what to ask this person and what to say to them, or you concentrate all your attention on what this person continues to say. That is, you are doing the opposite of what we’ve already discussed earlier when talking about memory. You jump from one thought to another, so the brain erases the previous information.

To remember a person, to simply remember people you meet, it’s enough to just repeat their name out loud together with them at the moment when the person says their name. As soon as you repeat their name, your interlocutor gets positive emotions from you pronouncing their name out loud, and you simultaneously remember it and concentrate your attention on it. This is how simply you can improve your memory in terms of remembering names several times over. In addition, if you do this, people will be more willing to talk to you later, because you focus attention on their name, and for a person, their name is very important, it carries a very big emotional message. Every time a person’s name is pronounced, they react in any case.

However, if you just repeat a person’s name, you won’t necessarily remember it forever. To increase the percentage of memorizing information in the form of names, you can do the following exercise:

— As soon as the person pronounces their name, imagine in your head how it’s written, and enlarge the picture of writing this name on your inner screen.

— After that, read what’s written there, and then mentally ask this person if that’s their name, pronouncing their name once again inside your head.

— Then imagine that the person answers you and says: «My name is so-and-so».

— After that, say in your head: «Nice to meet you» and say their name.

— It would be ideal if their name is associated with something. This association can be placed on the image of this person in your head. That is, you can literally place somewhere on their body a picture with a visual association like a badge, or create their caricature image, where you add associations related to their name.

For example, if the name is Sergey, it sounds similar to «seriy» (gray in Russian), and gray is associated with a wolf, so you can visually attach a wolf’s tail or mouth to the person to immediately remember the name. And if a woman’s name is Alice, you can attach an orange fox tail to her, as there’s a memory connection from the cartoon «Fox Alice». But the fact that I have such associations doesn’t mean that you will have the same ones, always choose your own.

Body as a Memory Storage

To remember some information and quite easily access it after a long period of time, you can create associations with some events that you need to remember and place them on your body. Imagine yourself, look at yourself from all sides and identify the most important points of your body where you can place information in some way. It can be the head, shoulders, elbows, knees, stomach, feet, palms. This list can be like this, it can be more or less, it doesn’t matter.

As soon as you remember some event, create its image and some association to make it easier to emotionally remember this event. Once you’ve created this image, just place it somewhere on your body and fix it there. After some time, you can fill your entire body. You can increase the scale and place something, for example, not on the forehead, but above one eye and above the other, but don’t get too close, as it may be more difficult later to remember where on your body a particular event lies. Then you will be able to operate this memory very easily, retrieve information from memory at the moment when you need it.

Weights for Your Caterpillar Tracks

To strengthen your memory, you can add the maximum number of your senses to the memorization process itself. If you’ve just tried to remember something, and you don’t have an emotional response or some developed technologies, consider that you’ve just walked on the grass. If you’ve used associative thinking and some images, then you can consider that you’ve walked on this grass with caterpillar tracks on your feet. If you started memorizing and added, besides images, also sensations, some sound information, then you can consider that you’ve tied additional weights to your caterpillar tracks and added spikes.

That is, your track will be much deeper, it will be stored longer, and it will also be better visible from everywhere. This process applies not only to memory, but also to everything else, to any of our actions related to thinking. We will discuss this a bit later, that if we change the hemispheres of the brain and engage various systems, then the assimilation of information increases many times over, the same happens with memory.

The more senses, the more possibilities of perception of information we add to the memory event, the easier it will be for us to remember it. That is, as soon as you add to the visual image some sensations that you feel in relation to this event, and also if you add some sounds, whether it’s music in your head that could correspond to this event, or some words that people say within this event and within this memory image, or you just create some sounds while remembering this event, then your ability to remember it will increase multiple times.

This process is not unique to memory, but applies to all our mental activities. As we’ll discuss later, when we engage different brain hemispheres and various systems, our information assimilation increases dramatically. The same principle applies to memory.

The more senses and perception possibilities we incorporate into a memory event, the easier it becomes to remember. When you add sensations to a visual image — feelings you associate with the event — and include sounds like music in your head that fits the event, or words spoken by people in the event, or even create sounds while memorizing, your ability to remember multiplies significantly.

Consider this method as adding extra weight to your mental caterpillar tracks. The basic act of memorization is like walking on grass — it leaves a faint impression. Using associative thinking and imagery is like wearing caterpillar tracks — it leaves a deeper imprint. But when you engage multiple senses — visual, auditory, kinesthetic — it’s like adding weights and spikes to those tracks. The resulting impression is deeper, lasts longer, and is more easily accessed from various angles in your mind.

This multi-sensory approach doesn’t just make memories stronger; it makes them richer and more vivid. It creates a network of associations that makes recall easier and more comprehensive. So, next time you want to remember something important, don’t just try to memorize it — see it, hear it, feel it. Create a full sensory experience in your mind, and watch how much easier it becomes to recall later.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to store information, but to create memories that are easily accessible when you need them. By engaging multiple senses, you’re essentially creating multiple pathways to the same memory, increasing the likelihood that you’ll be able to recall it when needed.

This technique can be particularly useful for studying, preparing presentations, or remembering important life events. The more senses you engage, the more vivid and lasting your memories will be.

Memory Improvement Techniques

1. Mind Mapping

Mind maps, described by Tony Buzan, create a structure that is easier to memorize as all elements are interconnected. Notes are made using one or two words, which means the brain remembers them more easily as it remembers images, not words. Meaning and images are much easier to remember. The logical structure and associative thinking allow for memorizing a much larger layer of information.

Plus, when you draw a mind map, the structure is automatically created in your mind, and if you leave empty branches that you don’t know how to fill, the brain will subconsciously think about what to put there, as it doesn’t tolerate incompleteness and always needs to fill the void. Thus, this function works as a button to launch creative thinking or forces the brain to make decisions.

This method has become very popular and is often used in business, where people draw mind maps, which is certainly pleasing. However, when we transfer this strategy to a computer, we lose a lot — creativity, the ability to memorize, creating a strategy for getting an automatic response. When we draw it by hand, we engage the part of the brain responsible for writing, we feel the kinesthetic signals of how we hold the pen, move it, we feel how it presses into the paper. These may seem like unimportant things if looked at from a logical point of view, but those who know how thinking works realize how important such details are.

This is also the basis for the fact that we better perceive, understand, and remember what is written in a paper book rather than a digital one. In addition, if we draw everything in reality, we engage creative thinking to draw some pictures, involving another part of the brain. And ultimately, this involvement immerses us in certain trance states, where we are more likely to give our brain the task of filling in all the remaining problems in this map.

2. Associations

To remember information, it needs to be somehow transformed in the brain into images, sensations that are easier to remember. Initially, there was no language, there was sight, hearing, sensations, etc., and it was with these types of thinking that we communicated with ourselves, and this is the «language in which the brain thinks.» Therefore, to remember information or reach the subconscious, you need to communicate with it in its language.

For memory to be stronger, you need to create associations that suit you, not someone else’s, but your own. And the more non-standard your associations are, absurd, sexual, the better it will be stored in the brain. Just don’t use negative associations, as it will be unpleasant to remember.

3. The «Memory Palace» Method

One of the most effective memorization techniques is the «Memory Palace.» You should choose a familiar place and place information there in the form of associations, and when you need to remember it, you will have a palace to enter and see where everything is, what it’s doing, thereby remembering what you need. To remember a story, all characters should interact, and the interactions should also be associations to what needs to be remembered. To remember the order, you need to create other associations near the heroes that will indicate the ordinal number in the palace.

For example, one sounds like «Odin» — a god from Norse mythology, and 10 is like «10 little Indians,» so you create images where these images interact. The most difficult thing is to come up with characters that correspond to ordinal numbers. It may take up to an hour to come up with a hundred such numbers, but once you create them, you can easily remember up to a hundred events, and you can learn to use the palace in just 15 minutes.

There is a complication of this system by tying it to territory. For example, my palace was in a place I remember well, it was the road to home. There, Odin was standing on the platform, and if, for example, I was given the word «apple,» I imagined the most absurd situation where Odin was sitting sprawled at the entrance, chewing an apple so that sprays were flying in all directions, and he was asking everyone what they were carrying, where they were going, and whether they should be allowed further. This was instantly memorable. Then I just had to repeat this for all words or associations and remembered everything. And if I was asked what was under number 1, I could immediately say it was an apple, as I remembered Odin, knew where he was «territorially» in my memory palace, and if asked under which number was the apple, I could also easily remember who was eating it and that it was number 1. When I memorized stratagems, the first one was «deceive the emperor to cross the sea,» so Odin was already associated with the emperor, he was standing at the entrance, there was security, so I imagined pointing to the side and running through while Odin was distracted, this was the deception of the emperor, there was no need to add the sea there, as this was enough to remember.

If you memorize something, you have to strain your brain to remember the necessary information, but in this method, you don’t think at all, you just watch a movie, it’s like reading from a cheat sheet. You can remember 100 positions and instantly answer what is in the 50th position, or in which position a certain event is, absolutely calmly.

If you «walk through the palace» after five minutes, then after half an hour, after a couple of hours, after a day, and after a week, this information can be stored in your head for years, and you will be able to access it at any time.

All these technologies can be used to memorize reports, phone numbers, birth dates, scientific works — anything. Here’s an example from personal experience:

I remember how I made myself a small memory palace when I was defending my thesis at the institute. When defending a thesis, it was necessary to remember everything that was in the thesis and to be able to jump from one part to another to answer questions. After all, after you’ve told everything, or even worse — if in the middle of your report, you can be asked about another part. This was the most difficult for everyone.

People partially remembered what to tell from beginning to end, but if someone suddenly interrupted them, they could no longer remember what they were talking about, what to say next, and got confused. To make it easier for students to navigate the report, to make it easier to tell, they could hang several posters with some tables, diagrams on the board, this helped a lot.

However, I used my palace. It consisted of only 20 positions. I learned my report quite quickly. There were no problems in telling it all, I realized how much easier it was for me to return to the report after I was interrupted, or I could even jump to another topic, then to another one and return, which couldn’t be done before.

At one time, I created a memory palace for myself, to which I then simply added all the necessary information for memorization. My list consisted of 100 words, and I didn’t work towards this for years — it was training for just a month. I studied stratagems using these methods and still remember them

Exercise: Memorize a List in 3 Seconds

You can show a trick about your super memory. Using the memory palace method, you’ll be able to memorize each new word in just a few seconds. Tell people that you can almost instantly memorize any list. If you tell your friends that you can memorize a list of 20 words in less than a minute, they will be surprised and probably won’t believe you.

Here’s how to do it:

— Ask them to write down some randomly chosen words and make a list of 20 words.

— Put an ordinal number before each word.

— Ask them to memorize these words and check how many they can remember.

— If they remember the words well, ask which word is in the 12th position; they probably won’t be able to say.

— Once they’ve tried to remember everything, ask them to give you the paper and look at it for a few seconds.

— Memorize the words you didn’t have time to memorize earlier.

— Look at this list for 3—5 seconds and return it to your friends.

— Then tell them to watch and recall all the words from first to last.

— When they start asking how you did it and express their amazement, read this list in reverse order.

— When they are even more impressed, ask them to name any number, and you’ll say the word, or let them say a word, and you’ll give the ordinal number.

In fact, using the memory palace method, you can’t memorize all the words in 3 seconds; this is just done to surprise. You should memorize them as soon as someone comes up with a word, says it, and writes it down. To prevent this from happening too quickly, say that first, you need to pronounce and write down the word, then dictate another, and if necessary, distract them along the way. By the time the list is compiled, you will have already learned everything. And use those 3 seconds to memorize what you didn’t have time to while they were writing, if there are such words.

Your friends won’t understand that you were memorizing words while they were coming up with them; they will only remember the picture of you staring intently at the sheet for 3 seconds and will be sure that’s when you memorized everything. For greater effect, you can casually remind them about the list a couple of days later, and if they ask you to name some word from the list, you can surprise them again.

Once I showed a trick where I memorized a list of 10 random words. I memorized the list and reproduced it according to the rules, with memorization intervals. The next day I was asked to repeat it again, and I was able to reproduce the entire list without errors. A month later, one of my friends accidentally found a sticker with this list on my shelf, and I effortlessly named all the words that were written there. There’s nothing supernatural or difficult about this — if you use memory correctly, information is memorized automatically, and reproduction doesn’t cause any difficulties.

Main Tools for Improving Memory

— Association Method: Essence: Linking new information with already known information. Application: Imagine that the name of a new acquaintance «Victor» is associated with the image of a winner (from Latin «victor» — winner). Visualize him with a gold medal.

— Method of Loci (Memory Palace): Essence: Binding information to familiar places. Application: Mentally place items from your shopping list in the rooms of your house. For example, milk in the kitchen, bread in the hallway.

— Chunking: Essence: Breaking down a large volume of information into smaller, easily memorable groups. Application: Phone number 9876543210 is easier to remember as 987-654-32-10.

— Acronyms and Mnemonic Phrases: Essence: Creating abbreviations or sentences from the first letters of words to be remembered. Application: The order of rainbow colors «Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain» (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).

— Keyword Method: Essence: Creating an association between the sound of a word and its meaning. Application: To remember the English word «cat», imagine a cat in a hat (cat — cap).

— Visualization: Essence: Creating vivid mental images. Application: To remember a grocery list, imagine a surrealistic picture where all these products interact.

— Spaced Repetition: Essence: Repeating information at increasing intervals. Application: Repeat new information after 1 hour, then after a day, a week, a month.

— Mind Mapping: Essence: Graphical representation of information in the form of a tree-like scheme. Application: Draw a central concept and branches coming from it with subtopics and details.

— Story Method: Essence: Combining elements to be remembered into a coherent story. Application: Create a story that includes all the items on your to-do list for the day.

— Active Recall Technique: Essence: Attempting to recall information rather than just rereading. Application: After reading a text, close it and try to retell the main ideas.

Practical Application of Memory Methods

Let’s consider an example of how to remember complex information using several memory improvement methods. Suppose we need to memorize the main stages of photosynthesis:

— Light absorption

— Electron excitation

— Water splitting

— ATP formation

— Carbon fixation

— Glucose synthesis

Step 1: Creating a visual image (visualization method) Let’s imagine a plant as a food production factory.

Step 2: Applying the method of loci (Memory Palace) Let’s use rooms in a house to place the stages:

— Garden (light absorption): Bright sun illuminating plants.

— Hallway (electron excitation): Electric light bulbs start flashing.

— Bathroom (water splitting): A water tap from which oxygen bubbles burst out.

— Kitchen (ATP formation): A stove on which an energy dish «ATP» is being cooked.

— Living room (carbon fixation): A large safe in which carbon dioxide is locked.

— Bedroom (glucose synthesis): A bed on which candies (glucose) are lying.

Step 3: Creating a story (story method) On a sunny morning, you go out into the garden where the bright light makes you squint (light absorption). Returning home, you notice that the lights in the hallway are flashing (electron excitation). Passing into the bathroom, you see oxygen bubbles bursting from the tap (water splitting). In the kitchen, you’re cooking a special energy dish ATP (ATP formation). In the living room, you lock harmful carbon dioxide in a safe (carbon fixation). Finally, tired, you go to the bedroom and discover delicious candies on the bed — your reward in the form of glucose (glucose synthesis).

Step 4: Creating an acronym PEARC P — Photons absorbed E — Electrons excited A — ATP formed R — Reduction of carbon dioxide C — Carbohydrates created

S (Synthesis) — we add separately to remember the last step.

Step 5: Spaced repetition

— Immediately after creating the images, repeat the information.

— Repeat again after an hour.

— Before going to bed, walk through your «Memory Palace».

— Repeat the next morning.

— Do another repetition in a week.

Step 6: Active recall Try to explain the process of photosynthesis to a friend or write it down on paper, relying only on your memory.

Parting Words

Imagine how your life will change when you master even basic memory improvement skills. You’ll start to notice that the world around you becomes brighter and richer, and your mind sharper and more receptive. The names of new acquaintances will no longer slip from your memory, and important details of meetings and conversations will stay with you for a long time. You’ll become more confident because now you’ll be able to easily operate with facts and figures, surprising colleagues and friends with your erudition. Learning and work will cease to be an exhausting struggle with forgetfulness, turning into an exciting journey through the expanses of knowledge. You’ll discover that you’re able to absorb new information with incredible ease, be it a foreign language, professional skills, or a hobby. Your productivity will increase because you’ll no longer have to spend time searching for forgotten data or re-studying material. But most importantly, you’ll feel how the boundaries of your world expand, because now every new impression, every book read or movie seen will become part of your inner wealth, which you can access at any moment. Improving memory is not just a skill, it’s the key to a fuller, richer, and more successful life, and this key is now in your hands.

Advanced Methods for Advanced Users

For those who have already mastered the basic memory improvement techniques, there are more complex and powerful methods. Here are some advanced methods for «upgraded» mnemonists:

Major System: This system allows you to memorize long sequences of numbers by turning them into meaningful phrases or stories. Each digit from 0 to 9 is assigned a certain sound. For example: 0 — s, z 1 — t, d 2 — n 3 — m 4 — r 5 — l 6 — j, sh 7 — k, g 8 — v, f 9 — p, b

To remember the number 1906, you can compose the phrase «Tough giraffe». This system requires practice but allows you to memorize huge volumes of numerical information.

Cicero’s Method (advanced version of the memory palace): In this method, you create not just rooms, but entire routes with multiple stops. Each stop contains several elements of information linked by a mini-story. This allows you to store and reproduce much more information than in a regular memory palace.

«Compound Images» Technique: This method is used to memorize long lists of words. You create vivid, surrealistic images combining several elements of the list. For example, to remember the sequence «book-lamp-cat-clock», you can imagine a cat reading a glowing book while sitting on giant clock.

Mnemonic Dominant: This technique is used to memorize complex scientific or technical terms. You break the word into parts and create a vivid image from each part, linking them into a single story. For example, to remember the term «photosynthesis», you can imagine a camera (photo) from which a plant grows (synthesis).

Dominic O’Brien’s System: This system combines elements of the memory palace, the Major system, and O’Brien’s own innovations. It allows you to memorize huge volumes of heterogeneous information, including numbers, dates, names, and facts, linking them into a single spatio-temporal structure.

Phonetic Association Method for Language Learning: This method is used for memorizing foreign words. You create a story in your native language that phonetically resembles the word to be memorized and reflects its meaning. For example, the English word «bread» can be remembered through the phrase «Bred kakoy-to, yest’ nechego» («What nonsense, there’s nothing to eat» in Russian, where «bred» sounds similar to «bread»).

«Magazine Rack» Technique: This technique is used for memorizing lists where the order of elements is important. You imagine a rack with magazines, where each magazine represents an element of the list. To recall the list, you mentally «flip through» the magazines on the rack.

Roman Room Method: An advanced version of the memory palace, where each room represents a specific topic or category of information. Inside each room, you place related information, creating a complex but well-organized system of knowledge storage.

These advanced methods require more time to master but allow you to achieve truly impressive results in memorizing and reproducing information. They are especially useful for professionals working with large volumes of data, students preparing for complex exams, or memory technique enthusiasts seeking to expand the boundaries of their cognitive abilities.

Practical Assignment

Choose important information that you need to remember. It could be a to-do list, key points of a presentation, new names of colleagues, or main provisions of a subject you’re studying. Apply one of the learned methods to memorize this information. Try to reproduce this information after a day and evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen method.

Imagine how your life will change when you master the art of memory at a professional level. Your mind will turn into an endless repository of knowledge, where every bit of information will be available on demand. In your personal life, you’ll become the life of the party, easily remembering names, dates, and interesting facts, surprising friends and acquaintances with your erudition. At work, you’ll shine, easily operating with complex data, remembering important details of meetings and presentations without a single note. Learning new languages, mastering musical instruments, or complex professional skills will become an exciting journey for you, not an exhausting routine. You’ll be able to read books at an incredible speed, retaining every important detail in memory, which will open up whole worlds of knowledge and opportunities to you. Your self-confidence will skyrocket because you’ll know that you can rely on your memory in any situation. This is not just a skill — it’s a superpower that transforms every aspect of your life, making you more effective, successful, and, most importantly, a happier person. And remember, the path to this amazing future begins with the first step, which you can take right now.

Time for Memorization

To properly use memory, you need to understand the basic principles of memorization. There are several stages when a person remembers information well in time:

— The beginning of memorization

— The end of memorization

— Connections between parts of memorized information

— Extraordinary things

For example, associative thinking that goes towards sexuality, hypertrophy, absurdity — this is precisely about extraordinary things.

That is, if you’re listening to a lecture, the longer it goes on, the worse you’ll remember it. If you have a lecture that lasts an hour, then in the middle of the lecture, you will remember less than 30%, and at the beginning and end, it will be about 75%. If you divide everything into parts of 15 minutes, the decrease in memorization will be insignificant, such that it can be neglected. That is, at the beginning 75%, and in the middle about 70%.

Using this principle, for example, mini-learning directions were created through training videos that are created with a maximum duration of 15 minutes. If learning takes place in a classroom, then the optimal time breakdown between lessons is 45 minutes. If it’s longer, we stop remembering the middle, if we shorten it too much, we have too much distraction, too much rest, then one topic may not be correctly linked with another, a «big picture» may not appear.

That’s why lessons in institutes go according to academic hour, which equals 45 minutes. Of course, if something amazing happens in the middle, it will stir up the students, and they will remember this moment.

One of the options to reduce the time between the beginning and the end is to divide parts within one lesson on related topics or change the lesson itself. For example, students listen to a lecture for 15 minutes, and then ask questions, do exercises, etc. for 15 minutes. This is a completely different brain work, and due to switching, this can be considered as rest. That is, we create waves on the graph and reduce the amplitude of oscillations, accordingly, we increase the overall memorability of the lesson from 50% to 65—70%.

It’s important to increase the intervals between repetitions. That is, if you repeat something, make a repetition after 5 minutes, then after 15, then after half an hour — an hour, after 3 hours, the next day, after 3 days, after a week, and after a month. This will maintain the learning and memorization graph, and as a result, after a month, all after the 8th repetition, you will be able to remember the information for a month and even years.

Let’s return to the tasks and try to apply the memory techniques we’ve learned:

— Recall lists or sequences that you’ve recently tried to memorize. This could be a shopping list, presentation plan, or stages of some process. Try to apply the «Memory Palace» method or the «Compound Images» technique to memorize them.

— Think about an upcoming meeting or event where you’ll need to remember the names of new people. Prepare by using the name association technique.

— If you have important dates or numbers to remember, practice with the Major system.

— Do you have an upcoming presentation where you need to memorize a speech? This is an ideal event to prepare for using the «Memory Palace» or «Roman Room» method. In addition to remembering everything and not getting lost during the presentation, this will also give confidence to your performance, as the meaning of what you’re going to say won’t worry you at all.

Now let’s think about how you can practice in the near future:

— Daily practice: Choose one technique and apply it every day for a week. For example, use the association method to remember three new facts each day.

— Improving work skills: At work or in your studies, try using mind maps to structure information for a project or topic you’re studying.

— Social interactions: When meeting new people, consciously apply the name memorization technique.

— Language learning: If you’re learning a foreign language, try the phonetic association method for memorizing new words.

— Everyday tasks: Use the «Compound Images» technique to remember your to-do list for the day or shopping list.

— Numerical data: Practice memorizing phone numbers or other important numbers using the Major system.

— Presentation preparation: If you have an upcoming presentation or report, create a «Memory Palace» for the key points of your speech.

Remember that regular practice is the key to success. Start small and gradually increase the complexity of tasks. Don’t be afraid to experiment and combine different techniques. Observe your progress and note which methods work best for you. Good luck with your memory training!

Conclusion

Developing memory is a skill that can significantly improve the quality of your life and work. Regular application of the described techniques will allow you to more effectively assimilate new information, better navigate already studied material, and increase overall productivity.

Remember that even a simple acquaintance with these methods already changes your thinking and makes it more effective. At an unexpected moment, this knowledge can «surface» in your memory and help solve an important task.

Imagine how your life will change when you master even basic memory improvement skills. You’ll begin to notice that the world around you becomes brighter and richer, and your mind sharper and more receptive. The names of new acquaintances will no longer slip from your memory, and important details of meetings and conversations will stay with you for a long time. You’ll become more confident because now you’ll be able to easily operate with facts and figures, surprising colleagues and friends with your erudition.

Learning and work will cease to be an exhausting struggle with forgetfulness, turning into an exciting journey through the expanses of knowledge. You’ll discover that you’re able to absorb new information with incredible ease, be it a foreign language, professional skills, or a hobby. Your productivity will increase because you’ll no longer have to spend time searching for forgotten data or re-studying material.

But most importantly, you’ll feel how the boundaries of your world expand, because now every new impression, every book read or movie seen will become part of your inner wealth, which you can access at any moment. Improving memory is not just a skill, it’s the key to a fuller, richer, and more successful life, and this key is now in your hands.

Stories of People Professionally Using Memory

Dominic O’Brien, an eight-time world memory champion, once demonstrated his abilities by memorizing the order of a shuffled deck of cards in just 38 seconds. But his skills go far beyond card tricks. O’Brien used his memory techniques to learn languages, memorizing up to 320 new foreign words per hour. This allowed him to master the basic level of a new language in just a few weeks of intensive study.

Shereshevsky, a famous mnemonist, had a phenomenal memory that allowed him to memorize complex mathematical formulas, long lists of words, and even whole pages of text after a single reading. His abilities were so outstanding that he could reproduce information heard 15 years ago with accuracy down to the smallest details.

A modern example is Joshua Foer, a journalist who, after a year of training in memorization techniques, was able to win the US Memory Championship. In the process of preparation, he developed the ability to memorize a sequence of 167 digits in 5 minutes and the order of a shuffled deck of cards in less than 2 minutes. He successfully applied these skills in his journalistic work, easily remembering complex facts and details of interviews.

Tony Buzan, the author of the mind mapping concept, used his techniques to write more than 140 books on self-development and cognitive skills. His methods have helped millions of people improve their memory and increase learning efficiency. Buzan himself could remember the names of all participants at a conference with hundreds of people and easily recall them even years later.

These stories show that professional mastery of memory techniques opens up truly amazing possibilities, allowing one to achieve outstanding results in various spheres of life — from academic achievements to professional and personal growth.

To evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of the memory techniques you’ve learned, ask yourself the following questions

— On a scale of 1 to 10, how useful did you find the information about memory improvement methods?

— How difficult do these techniques seem to you to master? (1 — very easy, 10 — extremely difficult)

— How many points out of 10 would you give to the potential improvement of your life with regular use of these methods?

— How much more effective do you feel already, just having read about these techniques? (from 1 to 10)

— Which of the described methods seemed to you the most applicable in your daily life or work?

— Can you imagine a specific situation from your life where applying these techniques could significantly ease the task?

— On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely is it that you will start applying these techniques in the near future?

— In your opinion, how much has your understanding of memory processes improved after reading this information? (from 1 to 10)

Remember that developing memory is a process that requires time and practice. Don’t get upset if you can’t achieve impressive results right away. Every attempt to apply a new technique is a step towards improving your cognitive abilities.

Start small — choose one technique and practice it daily for a week. Then add another one. Gradually you’ll notice how your ability to memorize and reproduce information improves.

Memory is an amazing tool that we use every day, often without noticing it. By developing and perfecting it, you open up new horizons of possibilities in learning, work, and personal life. Remember that your brain is capable of much more than you might have imagined. Dare, experiment, and enjoy the process of improving your memory!

And you know what you could use all these techniques for? For example, to remember everything you’ll read further in this book. This will increase your productivity many times over and allow you to get the most out of the presented information.

TRIZ — Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

What is it and where did it come from?

Imagine you’re a little researcher in a huge laboratory of ideas. In this laboratory, there’s a magical tool that helps to come up with the most incredible solutions for complex problems. This tool is called TRIZ — the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving.

TRIZ was created by a very smart and curious person named Genrich Altshuller. He worked in a patent office where people register their inventions. Genrich noticed that many inventors use similar ways of thinking to create something new. He thought, «What if we collect all these methods together and create an instruction manual for inventing?» That’s how TRIZ was born.

Altshuller began developing this theory back in 1946 in the Soviet Union. He studied thousands of patents to understand how people come to their discoveries. TRIZ became known not only in the USSR but also beyond its borders. For example, Samsung actively used this methodology to create new technologies.

What is TRIZ used for?

TRIZ is like a magic wand for solving complex problems. It helps:

— Find unusual solutions to common problems.

— Invent new things and improve existing ones.

— Develop creative thinking.

— Solve technical and non-technical problems in business, science, and everyday life.

Imagine you have a problem: you want to make ice cream that doesn’t melt in the sun. Usually, people think: «We need to add more cold!» But with TRIZ, you can think differently: «What if we make ice cream that becomes tastier when it heats up?» This is TRIZ thinking — finding unexpected solutions where others don’t see them.

TRIZ teaches us to think like brilliant inventors, even if we don’t consider ourselves particularly creative. It’s like a set of tools for our brain that helps us see the world in a new way and find amazing solutions.

At the core of TRIZ is the idea that the ideal solution is when the problem solves itself, without additional effort and resources. Sounds like magic, right? But in fact, it’s just a very smart approach to problem-solving.

TRIZ can be applied everywhere: in science, technology, business, art, and even in everyday life. For example, you can use TRIZ principles to figure out how to make room cleaning more fun or how to organize a party so that everyone is interested.

The most important thing in TRIZ is the ability to see contradictions in tasks and find ways to overcome them. For example, we want an umbrella to be big to protect from rain, but at the same time small to carry conveniently. How to solve this contradiction? TRIZ offers various methods and techniques that help find an original solution.

TRIZ is not just a set of rules, it’s a whole philosophy of creative thinking. It teaches us not to be afraid of complex tasks, but to see opportunities in them to create something new and amazing.

How TRIZ works — a generalized algorithm

TRIZ works like a kind of map for finding creative solutions. Here’s a simplified algorithm that will help understand the general path:

— Problem definition: Clearly formulate what exactly you want to solve or improve.

— System analysis: Figure out what parts your problem or system consists of, how they interact.

— Finding contradictions: Find where conflicts or inconsistencies arise in the system. For example, we want something to be both light and durable.

— Ideal Final Result: Imagine an ideal solution where the problem solves itself, without additional costs or complications.

— Use of resources: Think about what resources are already in the system and how they can be used in a new way.

— Application of TRIZ techniques: Use special TRIZ techniques (for example, «the principle of fragmentation» or «the principle of unification») to generate ideas.

— Evaluation and selection of solution: Analyze the obtained ideas and choose the most effective one.

— Improving marketing strategies

Example: 3M used TRIZ to create new adhesive materials. Applying the «asymmetry» principle, they developed an adhesive that sticks firmly but is easily detachable, which led to the creation of the famous Post-it notes.

In science and technology:

— Solving complex engineering problems

— Creating new materials

— Developing medical technologies

Example: NASA used TRIZ methods to solve the problem of spacecraft overheating when entering the atmosphere. Applying the «preliminary action» principle, they developed a heat shield that starts working even before entering the dense layers of the atmosphere.

In education:

— Developing new teaching methods

— Solving classroom discipline problems

— Creating interactive learning materials

Example: A teacher can use the «reverse» principle from TRIZ, suggesting that students create problems themselves instead of solving them, which increases engagement and understanding of the subject.

In art:

— Creating new forms and genres

— Solving technical problems in painting, sculpture, music

— Generating ideas for plots and characters

Example: An artist can apply the «dynamism» principle of TRIZ, creating paintings that change depending on the viewing angle or lighting.

In ecology:

— Developing environmentally friendly technologies

— Solving waste recycling problems

— Creating energy-efficient systems

Example: Using the «taking out» principle from TRIZ, engineers developed solar panels that can be integrated into house roofs, making them almost invisible and more efficient.

TRIZ is not just a set of tools, but a whole philosophy of creative thinking. It teaches us to look at problems from a new angle, find non-obvious solutions, and constantly improve the world around us. By applying TRIZ in various areas of life, we can not only solve specific problems but also develop our creative thinking, becoming more inventive and effective in any activity.

Questions for the TRIZ reader — how would you solve the following problems?

Dear reader, here are several interesting tasks. Try to apply the TRIZ principles we discussed earlier to find non-standard and effective solutions. Remember that in TRIZ, we strive for the ideal final result, using available resources and resolving contradictions. Don’t rush with answers, think about each task, consider different aspects of the problem, and try to find an unexpected solution.

— «Robin Hood» Task: Imagine you’re a director filming «Robin Hood». In one of the key scenes, Robin must shoot an arrow and hit one of the criminals. You want this shot to look as realistic as possible and be filmed in one take. A small wooden board is attached to the actor playing the criminal, which the arrow should hit. The problem is that even the best archers can’t guarantee hitting the target on the first try, especially when they know that a miss could injure the actor. They are afraid of missing the board and hitting the person.

How can you solve this task, considering the following contradictions:

— The arrow must guaranteed hit the target, but the archer can’t guarantee precise hitting.

— The shooting must be realistic but safe for the actors.

— The scene must be shot in one take, but without risk to the participants.

Think about how you can use the available resources (bow, arrow, board) in an unconventional way? How can you change the filming process to achieve the desired result?

— «Painting Forgery» Task: You’re a security consultant at a museum, and you’ve learned about an impending crime. A group of fraudsters plans to sell a forgery of a famous painting, but they have an unusual problem: they have access to the original. The fraudsters’ scheme is as follows: they want experts to evaluate the painting as authentic. After the evaluation, a special stamp is placed on the painting confirming its authenticity. But here’s the catch:

— If they show the experts the original and then replace it with a forgery, the forgery won’t have the experts’ stamp.

— If they switch the painting during the transfer to the buyer, there’s a risk that the deception will be discovered later, leading to serious problems.

Your task is to figure out how the fraudsters can carry out their plan. Remember, you’re not encouraging crime, but trying to anticipate the criminals’ actions to prevent them.

Think about the following questions:

— How can the evaluation process itself be used to the fraudsters’ advantage?

— Is there a way to somehow combine the original and the forgery in the evaluation process?

— How can the authenticity stamp itself be manipulated?

— «Ancient Vase» Task: Imagine you’re a museum curator, and you need to transport a very valuable ancient vase to another country for an exhibition. However, there’s a strict ban on exporting this specific artifact from the country.

Your task is to find a way to legally export the vase without directly violating the law. Here are some conditions and restrictions:

— The vase must physically leave the country and arrive at the exhibition.

— You can’t bribe officials or use illegal methods.

— You can’t damage or alter the vase itself.

— You can’t create an exact copy of the vase (this is considered forgery and is also illegal).

Think about the following questions:

— How can you use the very system of prohibitions and permissions to your advantage?

— Is there a way to change the status of the vase without changing the object itself?

— Can you find a loophole in the wording of the export ban law?

For each of these tasks, try to apply TRIZ principles:

— Define the ideal final result

— Find contradictions in the system

— Think about how to use available resources in an unconventional way

— Try to apply some of the TRIZ techniques (for example, the principle of preliminary action, the «reverse» principle, the principle of intermediary)

Remember that in TRIZ, often the most effective solutions seem paradoxical or impossible at first glance. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

Levels of Invention Complexity

In the TRIZ system, inventions and problems are classified according to levels of complexity and the scale of changes they introduce to existing systems. Understanding these levels helps determine the approach to solving the problem and assess the potential impact of the invention. Let’s look at these levels in more detail:

— Smallest inventions

Characteristics:

— Simple improvements to existing systems

— Solved within one specialty

— Require minimal changes

What to do:

— Analyze the existing system

— Look for obvious improvements

— Apply simple TRIZ techniques

Example: Improving a pen by adding a comfortable grip zone.

— Small inventions

Characteristics:

— Small changes in the system

— Can have dozens of solution options

— Usually solved within one industry

What to do:

— Analyze the system and its components more deeply

— Look for non-standard applications of known solutions

— Use more complex TRIZ tools

Example: Creating a folding umbrella that combines compactness and functionality.

— Medium inventions

Characteristics:

— Significant changes in the system

— May involve several fields of knowledge

— Have hundreds of possible solution options

What to do:

— Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the system and supersystem

— Identify and resolve deep contradictions

— Apply a complex of TRIZ tools

Example: Developing an e-book that combines the advantages of paper books and digital technologies.

— Large inventions

Characteristics:

— Radical changes in the system

— Affect multiple industries

— Can have thousands of solution options

What to do:

— Analyze not only the system but also industry development trends

— Look for fundamentally new approaches

— Combine various TRIZ methods and other innovative approaches

Example: Creating 3D printing technology, which changed the approach to production in various industries.

— Largest inventions

Characteristics:

— Creation of fundamentally new systems

— Can lead to the emergence of new industries

— Often based on new scientific discoveries

What to do:

— Think at the level of global systems and trends

— Look for solutions at the intersection of various sciences and technologies

— Apply all available methods of creative thinking, including TRIZ

Example: The invention of the internet, which revolutionized communications and created a new digital economy.

Key differences between levels:

— Scale of impact: From local improvements to global changes.

— Solution complexity: From simple techniques to complex interdisciplinary approaches.

— Number of options: From several obvious solutions to thousands of possible variants.

— Level of contradictions: From superficial to fundamental contradictions in the system.

— Required knowledge: From narrow specialization to interdisciplinary.

— Time and resources: From quick solutions to long-term research projects.

— Potential impact: From minor improvements to creating new industries and changing people’s way of life.

Understanding these levels helps inventors and problem solvers correctly assess the scale of the problem, choose appropriate TRIZ tools, and determine the necessary resources for the solution. It’s important to remember that even small inventions can have a significant impact, and major discoveries often arise from simple ideas that are developed and applied in the right context.

Basic TRIZ Tools for Beginners

TRIZ offers many tools for solving inventive problems. For beginners, it’s important to start with the simplest and most universal methods. Here are several key TRIZ tools that are relatively easy to understand and apply:

— Ideal Final Result (IFR) Essence: Imagine an ideal solution to the problem, where the system itself performs the necessary function without costs and negative effects. How to apply:

— Formulate what should ideally happen

— Describe the result as if it has already been achieved

— Use this vision as a reference point for finding solutions Example: The ideal toothbrush cleans teeth by itself without effort, doesn’t need replacement, and adapts to each tooth.

— Contradictions Essence: Identify and resolve the conflict between two incompatible requirements for the system. Types of contradictions:

— Technical: improving one parameter worsens another

— Physical: the system must have mutually exclusive properties How to apply:

— Determine what exactly conflicts in your task

— Formulate the contradiction clearly

— Look for ways to satisfy both requirements simultaneously

Example: An umbrella should be large (to protect from rain) and small (to carry conveniently). Solution: a folding umbrella.

— Resources Essence: Use all available resources of the system and the surrounding environment to solve the problem. Types of resources:

— Substance (materials, objects)

— Field (energy, information)

— Time

— Space

— Functional How to apply:

— Make a list of all available resources

— Think about how to use each resource in a non-standard way

— Look for hidden or non-obvious resources Example: Using the heat from car exhaust gases to heat the cabin.

— Techniques for Resolving Contradictions Essence: Application of typical solutions to eliminate technical contradictions. Some basic techniques:

— Fragmentation: Divide the object into independent parts

— Taking out: Separate the interfering part or property

— Merging: Connect homogeneous objects or operations

— Universality: Make the object multifunctional

— Preliminary action: Perform the required action in advance How to apply:

— Identify the contradiction in your task

— Review the list of techniques and choose suitable ones

— Try to apply several techniques to your problem Example: Applying the «taking out» technique to create headphones with an external microphone.

— System Operator (9 screens) Essence: Analysis of the system in the context of its development over time and interconnection with super- and subsystems. How to apply:

— Draw a 3x3 table

— Vertically: subsystem, system, supersystem

— Horizontally: past, present, future

— Fill in the cells with corresponding information

— Analyze connections and trends Example: Analysis of telephone evolution from a stationary device to a smartphone and predicting future forms of communication.

— Smart Little People Essence: Modeling the problem using imaginary little people performing the functions of system elements. How to apply:

— Imagine that the system consists of many little people

— Describe what each group of people does

— Think about how to change their actions to solve the problem Example: Imagine soap as a group of people repelling dirt. How to make their work more effective?

— Size-Time-Cost Operator Essence: Mental change of object or process parameters to find new ideas. How to apply:

— Imagine that the object has become huge or microscopic

— Change the process time (instantaneous or infinitely long)

— Imagine that resources are unlimited or absent Example: How would the cooking process change if the stove became the size of a house or shrunk to the size of a matchbox?

These TRIZ tools are accessible for beginners to understand and can be applied to a wide range of tasks — from household problems to professional challenges. It’s important to remember that TRIZ effectiveness grows with practice. Start by applying these tools to simple tasks, gradually moving to more complex ones. Regular use of these methods will help develop creative thinking skills and make the problem-solving process more structured and effective.

Examples of TRIZ Application

Let’s look at a specific example of applying the TRIZ methodology to create an invention. Suppose we want to improve an ordinary coffee cup. We’ll go through the main stages of TRIZ, using the tools we discussed earlier.

Task: Improve a coffee cup for home use.

Step 1: Defining the Ideal Final Result (IFR) IFR: The ideal coffee cup maintains the optimal coffee temperature by itself, doesn’t burn hands, doesn’t break, is easy to wash, and doesn’t take up space when not in use.

Step 2: Identifying contradictions Technical contradiction 1: The cup should be heat-insulating to keep coffee hot, but shouldn’t burn hands. Technical contradiction 2: The cup should be durable to avoid breaking, but light for convenience. Physical contradiction: The cup should exist (to hold coffee) and not exist (to not take up space).

Step 3: Resource analysis Material resources: cup material, air, coffee Field resources: coffee’s thermal energy, gravity Spatial resources: cup volume, space around the cup Time resources: coffee cooling time

Step 4: Applying contradiction resolution techniques «Fragmentation» technique: Divide the cup wall into two layers. «Taking out» technique: Create a removable heat-insulating shell. «Preliminary action» technique: Pre-cool the outer layer of the cup.

Step 5: Using the system operator Past: ceramic mugs → Present: thermal mugs → Future: «smart» mugs with temperature control Supersystem: kitchenware, coffee consumption culture System: coffee cup Subsystem: cup material, shape, handle

Step 6: Applying the Smart Little People method Imagine that the cup walls consist of little people. Some retain heat inside, others don’t let it out, and the third group regulates the external temperature.

Step 7: Using the Size-Time-Cost Operator Size: What if the cup were the size of a thimble or a bucket? Time: What if the cup could maintain coffee temperature forever? Cost: What if the cup cost as much as a car?

Step 8: Formulating the solution Based on the analysis conducted, we can propose the following invention: «Transformable thermal cup with active temperature control» Description:

— The cup consists of two layers: an inner ceramic and an outer transformable.

— The outer layer is made of a flexible shape memory material that can compress for compact storage.

— Between the layers is a layer with electronic temperature control that actively regulates heat transfer.

— The cup handle has a built-in temperature sensor and display showing the current drink temperature.

— In the cup’s bottom is a small battery charged from a wireless charging station. How it solves contradictions:

— The double layer solves the problem of heat insulation and hand burn protection.

— The flexible outer layer allows the cup to «not exist» when not in use, solving the storage problem.

— Electronic temperature control maintains optimal coffee temperature for a long time.

— Using ceramics for the inner layer retains the traditional properties of a coffee cup. This invention combines several ideas obtained during the TRIZ methodology analysis. It resolves identified contradictions, uses available resources, and approaches the ideal final result.

Step 9: Evaluating the solution Now we need to assess how close our solution is to the IFR and how it resolves the identified contradictions. In this case, the invention solves the main problems but can be further improved, for example, in terms of battery longevity or the use of more environmentally friendly materials.

This example demonstrates how step-by-step application of TRIZ tools can lead to the creation of an innovative product that solves multiple problems simultaneously.

Let’s look at a real example of using the TRIZ methodology to create an invention. We’ll take as a basis the story of creating Post-it self-adhesive notes, developed by 3M company. This invention was the result of applying principles similar to TRIZ, although the company itself didn’t use this term.

Task: Create a new type of sticky notes that can be easily attached and detached without damaging the surface

Step 1: Defining the Ideal Final Result (IFR) IFR: Ideal notes stick to any surface, easily detach without leaving marks, don’t lose adhesive properties with multiple uses, and don’t require additional attachment tools.

Step 2: Identifying contradictions Technical contradiction 1: The adhesive must be strong enough to hold the note but weak enough not to damage the surface when detached. Technical contradiction 2: The note must be thin and light, but durable enough for multiple uses. Physical contradiction: The adhesive layer must be (to hold the note) and not be (to easily detach) at the same time.

Step 3: Resource analysis Material resources: paper, various types of adhesives Field resources: adhesion, friction force Spatial resources: note surface Time resources: adhesive drying time, note usage time

Step 4: Applying contradiction resolution techniques «Fragmentation» technique: Using adhesive not on the entire surface, but in spots. «Preliminary action» technique: Applying adhesive to the note before its use. «Changing physico-chemical parameters» technique: Developing an adhesive with special properties.

Step 5: Using the system operator Past: ordinary paper notes → Present: sticky notes → Future: digital notes Supersystem: office supplies, information organization systems System: sticky note Subsystem: paper, adhesive layer

Step 6: Applying the Smart Little People method Imagine that the adhesive layer consists of little people. Some hold onto the note surface, others — onto the surface to which it’s attached, but can easily let go of it.

Step 7: Using the Size-Time-Cost Operator Size: What if the adhesive layer were microscopic? Time: What if the adhesive only worked for a certain time? Cost: What if the notes were practically free?

Step 8: Formulating the solution In reality, the solution came to Dr. Spencer Silver, a researcher at 3M, who accidentally created an adhesive that was «not sticky enough». This adhesive formed small spheres that stuck to surfaces but easily detached. Invention description:

— Paper base with a special adhesive composition applied.

— The adhesive composition forms microscopic spheres that provide temporary adhesion.

— The adhesive is applied only to part of the note surface, making it easier to detach.

— Notes are collected in blocks for convenient use. How it solves contradictions:

— The special adhesive solves the problem of «sticking but easily detaching».

— Partial application of adhesive allows the note to be sufficiently durable but easily removable.

— Adhesive microspheres ensure multiple uses without losing adhesive properties.

Step 9: Evaluating the solution The solution turned out to be very successful. Post-it notes became a widely used office product that solved the problem of temporarily attaching notes without damaging surfaces. They approached the IFR, providing easy attachment and detachment, multiple uses, and no traces on surfaces. Further development:

— Creating notes of different sizes and shapes

— Developing colored versions

— Creating eco-friendly versions

— Integration with digital technologies (for example, Post-its with the ability to scan into an app)

This real example shows how principles similar to TRIZ can lead to the creation of an innovative product. Although the invention of Post-it was largely accidental, the analysis of the problem and solution demonstrates how a systematic approach to innovation can help in developing and improving products.

Levels of Invention Complexity

In the TRIZ system, inventions and problems are classified according to levels of complexity and the scale of changes they introduce to existing systems. Understanding these levels helps determine the approach to solving the problem and assess the potential impact of the invention. Let’s look at these levels in more detail:

— Smallest inventions

Characteristics:

— Simple improvements to existing systems

— Solved within one specialty

— Require minimal changes

What to do:

— Analyze the existing system

— Look for obvious improvements

— Apply simple TRIZ techniques

Example: Improving a pen by adding a comfortable grip zone.

— Small inventions

Characteristics:

— Small changes in the system

— Can have dozens of solution options

— Usually solved within one industry

What to do:

— Analyze the system and its components more deeply

— Look for non-standard applications of known solutions

— Use more complex TRIZ tools

Example: Creating a folding umbrella that combines compactness and functionality.

— Medium inventions

Characteristics:

— Significant changes in the system

— May involve several fields of knowledge

— Have hundreds of possible solution options

What to do:

— Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the system and supersystem

— Identify and resolve deep contradictions

— Apply a complex of TRIZ tools

Example: Developing an e-book that combines the advantages of paper books and digital technologies.

— Large inventions

Characteristics:

— Radical changes in the system

— Affect multiple industries

— Can have thousands of solution options

What to do:

— Analyze not only the system but also industry development trends

— Look for fundamentally new approaches

— Combine various TRIZ methods and other innovative approaches

Example: Creating 3D printing technology, which changed the approach to production in various industries.

— Largest inventions

Characteristics:

— Creation of fundamentally new systems

— Can lead to the emergence of new industries

— Often based on new scientific discoveries

What to do:

— Think at the level of global systems and trends

— Look for solutions at the intersection of various sciences and technologies

— Apply all available methods of creative thinking, including TRIZ

Example: The invention of the internet, which revolutionized communications and created a new digital economy.

Key differences between levels:

— Scale of impact: From local improvements to global changes.

— Solution complexity: From simple techniques to complex interdisciplinary approaches.

— Number of options: From several obvious solutions to thousands of possible variants.

— Level of contradictions: From superficial to fundamental contradictions in the system.

— Required knowledge: From narrow specialization to interdisciplinary.

— Time and resources: From quick solutions to long-term research projects.

— Potential impact: From minor improvements to creating new industries and changing people’s way of life.

Understanding these levels helps inventors and problem solvers correctly assess the scale of the problem, choose appropriate TRIZ tools, and determine the necessary resources for the solution. It’s important to remember that even small inventions can have a significant impact, and major discoveries often arise from simple ideas that are developed and applied in the right context.

Basic TRIZ Tools for Beginners

TRIZ offers many tools for solving inventive problems. For beginners, it’s important to start with the simplest and most universal methods. Here are several key TRIZ tools that are relatively easy to understand and apply:

— Ideal Final Result (IFR) Essence: Imagine an ideal solution to the problem, where the system itself performs the necessary function without costs and negative effects. How to apply:

— Formulate what should ideally happen

— Describe the result as if it has already been achieved

— Use this vision as a reference point for finding solutions Example: The ideal toothbrush cleans teeth by itself without effort, doesn’t need replacement, and adapts to each tooth.

— Contradictions Essence: Identify and resolve the conflict between two incompatible requirements for the system. Types of contradictions:

— Technical: improving one parameter worsens another

— Physical: the system must have mutually exclusive properties How to apply:

— Determine what exactly conflicts in your task

— Formulate the contradiction clearly

— Look for ways to satisfy both requirements simultaneously Example: An umbrella should be large (to protect from rain) and small (to carry conveniently). Solution: a folding umbrella.

— Resources Essence: Use all available resources of the system and the surrounding environment to solve the problem. Types of resources:

— Substance (materials, objects)

— Field (energy, information)

— Time

— Space

— Functional How to apply:

— Make a list of all available resources

— Think about how to use each resource in a non-standard way

— Look for hidden or non-obvious resources Example: Using the heat from car exhaust gases to heat the cabin.

— Techniques for Resolving Contradictions Essence: Application of typical solutions to eliminate technical contradictions. Some basic techniques:

— Fragmentation: Divide the object into independent parts

— Taking out: Separate the interfering part or property

— Merging: Connect homogeneous objects or operations

— Universality: Make the object multifunctional

— Preliminary action: Perform the required action in advance How to apply:

— Identify the contradiction in your task

— Review the list of techniques and choose suitable ones

— Try to apply several techniques to your problem Example: Applying the «taking out» technique to create headphones with an external microphone.

— System Operator (9 screens) Essence: Analysis of the system in the context of its development over time and interconnection with super- and subsystems. How to apply:

— Draw a 3x3 table

— Vertically: subsystem, system, supersystem

— Horizontally: past, present, future

— Fill in the cells with corresponding information

— Analyze connections and trends Example: Analysis of telephone evolution from a stationary device to a smartphone and predicting future forms of communication.

— Smart Little People Essence: Modeling the problem using imaginary little people performing the functions of system elements. How to apply:

— Imagine that the system consists of many little people

— Describe what each group of people does

— Think about how to change their actions to solve the problem Example: Imagine soap as a group of people repelling dirt. How to make their work more effective?

— Size-Time-Cost Operator Essence: Mental change of object or process parameters to find new ideas. How to apply:

— Imagine that the object has become huge or microscopic

— Change the process time (instantaneous or infinitely long)

— Imagine that resources are unlimited or absent Example: How would the cooking process change if the stove became the size of a house or shrunk to the size of a matchbox?

These TRIZ tools are accessible for beginners to understand and can be applied to a wide range of tasks — from household problems to professional challenges. It’s important to remember that TRIZ effectiveness grows with practice. Start by applying these tools to simple tasks, gradually moving to more complex ones. Regular use of these methods will help develop creative thinking skills and make the problem-solving process more structured and effectiveExamples of TRIZ Application

Let’s look at a specific example of applying the TRIZ methodology to create an invention. Suppose we want to improve an ordinary coffee cup. We’ll go through the main stages of TRIZ, using the tools we discussed earlier.

Task: Improve a coffee cup for home use

Step 1: Defining the Ideal Final Result (IFR) IFR: The ideal coffee cup maintains the optimal coffee temperature by itself, doesn’t burn hands, doesn’t break, is easy to wash, and doesn’t take up space when not in use.

Step 2: Identifying contradictions Technical contradiction 1: The cup should be heat-insulating to keep coffee hot, but shouldn’t burn hands. Technical contradiction 2: The cup should be durable to avoid breaking, but light for convenience. Physical contradiction: The cup should exist (to hold coffee) and not exist (to not take up space).

Step 3: Resource analysis Material resources: cup material, air, coffee Field resources: coffee’s thermal energy, gravity Spatial resources: cup volume, space around the cup Time resources: coffee cooling time

Step 4: Applying contradiction resolution techniques «Fragmentation» technique: Divide the cup wall into two layers. «Taking out» technique: Create a removable heat-insulating shell. «Preliminary action» technique: Pre-cool the outer layer of the cup.

Step 5: Using the system operator Past: ceramic mugs → Present: thermal mugs → Future: «smart» mugs with temperature control Supersystem: kitchenware, coffee consumption culture System: coffee cup Subsystem: cup material, shape, handle

Step 6: Applying the Smart Little People method Imagine that the cup walls consist of little people. Some retain heat inside, others don’t let it out, and the third group regulates the external temperature.

Step 7: Using the Size-Time-Cost Operator Size: What if the cup were the size of a thimble or a bucket? Time: What if the cup could maintain coffee temperature forever? Cost: What if the cup cost as much as a car?

Step 8: Formulating the solution Based on the analysis conducted, we can propose the following invention: «Transformable thermal cup with active temperature control» Description:

— The cup consists of two layers: an inner ceramic and an outer transformable.

— The outer layer is made of a flexible shape memory material that can compress for compact storage.

— Between the layers is a layer with electronic temperature control that actively regulates heat transfer.

— The cup handle has a built-in temperature sensor and display showing the current drink temperature.

— In the cup’s bottom is a small battery charged from a wireless charging station. How it solves contradictions:

— The double layer solves the problem of heat insulation and hand burn protection.

— The flexible outer layer allows the cup to «not exist» when not in use, solving the storage problem.

— Electronic temperature control maintains optimal coffee temperature for a long time.

— Using ceramics for the inner layer retains the traditional properties of a coffee cup. This invention combines several ideas obtained during the TRIZ methodology analysis. It resolves identified contradictions, uses available resources, and approaches the ideal final result.

Step 9: Evaluating the solution Now we need to assess how close our solution is to the IFR and how it resolves the identified contradictions. In this case, the invention solves the main problems but can be further improved, for example, in terms of battery longevity or the use of more environmentally friendly materials.

Let’s look at a real example of using the TRIZ methodology to create an invention. We’ll take as a basis the story of creating Post-it self-adhesive notes, developed by 3M company. This invention was the result of applying principles similar to TRIZ, although the company itself didn’t use this term.

Here are a few more interesting examples of TRIZ application

— Problem with bird nests on power line poles Situation: Birds were building nests on power line poles, which led to short circuits and power supply interruptions. Solution using TRIZ: Applied the principle of «turning harm into benefit». Instead of fighting the birds, energy workers began installing special platforms for nests on the poles. This not only solved the problem with short circuits but also helped preserve populations of rare bird species.

— Innovative method of extinguishing oil fires Problem: Traditional methods of extinguishing burning oil wells were expensive and dangerous. Solution using TRIZ: Used the principle of «using strong oxidizers». Instead of trying to smother the fire, a method was developed where a high-pressure water jet was directed into the burning well. This led to a powerful explosion that «blew out» the flame, like a candle on a cake.

— Self-cleaning paint Lotusan Problem: The need for frequent cleaning and repainting of building facades. Solution using TRIZ: Applied the principle of copying natural systems. Engineers studied the structure of lotus leaves, which always remain clean. Based on this, a paint was developed with a microscopic surface structure similar to a lotus leaf. Water droplets roll off such a surface, taking dirt with them.

— Solving the problem of zipper jamming on clothes Problem: Zippers often jammed due to fabric getting caught in them. Solution using TRIZ: Used the principle of preliminary action. A zipper with angled teeth was developed. When zipping, they first push the fabric away and then close, preventing jamming.

— Innovative method of drilling oil wells Problem: Traditional drilling methods were inefficient in complex geological conditions. Solution using TRIZ: Applied the «nested doll» principle (placing one system inside another). A coiled tubing drilling method was developed, where instead of a composite drill string, a continuous flexible tube is used, inside which another tube for drilling fluid supply is placed.

— Creating «smart» packaging for products Problem: The need to control the freshness of food products. Solution using TRIZ: Used the feedback principle. Packaging with an indicator that changes color depending on the product’s freshness was developed. The indicator reacts to pH changes or the presence of certain bacteria.

— Innovative method of cleaning large tanks Problem: Cleaning large tanks for oil and petroleum products was a dangerous and labor-intensive task. Solution using TRIZ: Applied the «intermediary» principle. Instead of sending people inside the tank, a system was developed using the force of liquid vortex flows. Special nozzles create vortices that clean the tank walls without direct human involvement.

These examples demonstrate how TRIZ helps find non-standard and effective solutions in various fields — from everyday problems to complex technical tasks. They show that often the key to innovation lies in rethinking the problem and using available resources in a new, unexpected way.

Practical assignment for the reader Dear reader, now it’s time to apply the knowledge gained in practice. This assignment will help you not only better understand TRIZ principles but also possibly solve a real problem you’re facing.

— Identify the problem Think about your current life or work. What problem or task needs solving right now? It can be anything: from household inconveniences to work challenges or personal goals. Choose something that’s really important to you. Examples:

— How to organize a workspace in a small apartment?

— How to find time for self-development with a busy work schedule?

— How to motivate a team to achieve ambitious goals?

— Formulate the Ideal Final Result (IFR) Imagine an ideal solution to your problem. What should it be like if there were no limitations? Remember that ideally, the system should perform the necessary function by itself without costs and negative effects. IFR Example: «The workspace organizes itself at the right moment and disappears when not in use, not taking up space in the apartment.»

— Identify contradictions Determine what contradictory requirements exist in your task. What should be simultaneously and what should not be? Contradiction Example: «The workspace should be large enough for comfortable work, but at the same time not take up much space in a small apartment.»

— Analyze resources What resources do you already have to solve the problem? Think about material, time, spatial, and other types of resources.

— Apply TRIZ techniques Use the TRIZ techniques you’re familiar with to generate ideas. For example:

— Fragmentation: How can you divide the problem into parts?

— Taking out: Can you separate the interfering part?

— Merging: Can you combine something to solve the problem?

— Universality: How to make the solution multifunctional?

— Generate ideas Write down all the ideas that come to your mind, even the craziest ones. Don’t evaluate them immediately, just write them down.

— Evaluate and choose a solution Review your ideas and evaluate them in terms of approaching the IFR and resolving contradictions. Choose the most promising solution.

— Develop an implementation plan Think about how you can implement the chosen solution. What steps need to be taken? Remember that often the most effective solutions seem paradoxical at first glance. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

Tip: Dedicate at least 20—30 minutes to this task. Often the best ideas don’t come immediately, but after some time of reflection. After completing the assignment, share your experience with friends or colleagues. Discussion can lead to even more interesting ideas and solutions.

Good luck in solving your task! Remember that TRIZ is a skill that develops with practice. The more you apply these principles, the easier it will be for you to find creative solutions in the future.

Imagine how your life will change when you start seeing solutions where you previously only saw problems. Having mastered even the basic principles of TRIZ, you’ll find that your brain has received a new operating system, so to speak. Everyday tasks that used to cause frustration will now become exciting puzzles waiting for your creative approach. You’ll start noticing hidden opportunities in ordinary things, finding unexpected resources for solving problems, and creating innovative ideas literally out of thin air. Your ability to analyze situations and find non-standard solutions will surprise not only you but also those around you. At work, you’ll become the person people turn to for a fresh perspective on long-standing problems. In your personal life, you’ll easily find compromises and turn conflicts into opportunities for growth. TRIZ will teach you not to fear contradictions, but to use them as a springboard for jumping to brilliant solutions. And most importantly, you’ll feel your confidence in your own abilities growing, because now you have a reliable tool for overcoming any obstacles. By mastering TRIZ, you’re not just solving problems — you’re becoming an architect of your own reality, creating a world where the ideal final result is not a dream but an achievable goal.

More Complex and Powerful Tools For those who have already mastered the basic principles of TRIZ and are ready to dive deeper, there are more complex and powerful tools. These advanced methods allow solving more complex problems and finding truly innovative solutions. Let’s consider some of them:

— ARIZ (Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving) ARIZ is a comprehensive methodology representing a step-by-step algorithm for analyzing and solving complex technical problems. Methodology description:

— Analysis of the initial situation

— Resource analysis

— Determining the Ideal Final Result (IFR)

— Identifying and resolving contradictions

— Applying the TRIZ information fund

— Changing and/or replacing the task

— Analyzing the method of eliminating the physical contradiction

— Applying the obtained answer

— Analyzing the solution process Example: When developing a new type of submarine, engineers faced a problem: how to make the boat simultaneously strong (to withstand pressure at depth) and light (for maneuverability). Applying ARIZ allowed developing a design with variable hull geometry, which compresses under pressure, maintaining strength, but remains light at shallow depths.

— Function-Cost Analysis (FCA) FCA is a method of systematic investigation of object functions with the aim of finding a balance between cost and utility. Methodology description:

— Defining the object of analysis

— Collecting information about the object

— Building a functional model

— Determining the significance of functions

— Determining the costs for functions

— Building a function-cost diagram

— Searching for ways to reduce costs Example: A smartphone manufacturing company used FCA to optimize the device design. The analysis showed that some components could be combined or simplified without loss of functionality, which led to a 15% reduction in cost while maintaining quality.

— TRIZ-based forecasting methodology This methodology allows predicting the development of technical systems and the emergence of new technologies. Methodology description:

— Analyzing system evolution

— Determining the S-shaped development curve

— Identifying contradictions and resolving them

— Forecasting based on the laws of technical systems development Example: Using this methodology, Tesla predicted the development of electric vehicles and developed technologies in advance that became industry standard several years later.

— Focal Objects Method (advanced version) This method allows generating new ideas by attaching properties of other, randomly selected objects to the original object. Methodology description:

— Choosing the focal object

— Selecting 3—5 random objects

— Compiling a list of attributes of random objects

— Generating ideas by attaching attributes of random objects to the focal one

— Developing the obtained combinations through free associations

— Evaluating the obtained ideas and selecting useful solutions Example: When developing a new type of urban transport, properties of a «cloud» (random object) were attached to a «bus» (focal object). This led to the idea of creating a light, eco-friendly air-cushion transport for urban conditions.

— Function-Oriented Search This is a method of searching for the most effective solutions by analyzing systems performing similar functions in other areas of technology or nature. Methodology description:

— Formulating the function in a generalized form

— Searching for objects with similar functions in different areas

— Analyzing the working principles of found objects

— Adapting the found principles to the problem being solved

Example: When developing a new water purification system, engineers studied how whales filter water. This led to the creation of an innovative membrane technology mimicking the natural process.

These advanced TRIZ methods require a deeper understanding of the theory’s principles and more time to master. However, they provide powerful tools for solving complex technical and organizational problems, allowing to find truly innovative solutions and foresee future technology development.

40 techniques for eliminating technical contradictions with brief explanations and examples

— Segmentation principle Divide the object into independent parts or make it disassemblable. Example: Modular furniture that can be assembled in different configurations.

— Taking out principle Separate the interfering part from the object. Example: Moving the car radiator outside the engine.

— Local quality principle Transition from a homogeneous structure to a heterogeneous one. Example: A toothbrush with bristles of varying stiffness for different zones.

— Asymmetry principle Transition from a symmetrical form to an asymmetrical one. Example: Asymmetrical ski poles for better balance.

— Merging principle Combine homogeneous objects or operations. Example: Multifunctional kitchen appliance.

— Universality principle Make the object perform several functions. Example: A smartphone combining the functions of a phone, camera, computer.

— «Nested doll» principle Place one object inside another. Example: Telescopic fishing rod.

— Anti-weight principle Compensate for the object’s weight by interaction with the external environment. Example: Using helium’s lifting force in airships.

— Preliminary anti-action principle Apply tensions to the object opposite to undesirable ones in advance. Example: Pre-stressed concrete for increased strength.

— Preliminary action principle Perform the required action in advance. Example: Prepayment for goods to speed up delivery.

— «Beforehand cushioning» principle Compensate for the object’s low reliability with pre-prepared emergency means. Example: Airbags in cars.

— Equipotentiality principle Change the working conditions so that the object doesn’t need to be raised or lowered. Example: Locks on canals to equalize water levels.

— «The other way round» principle Instead of an action dictated by the task conditions, implement the opposite action. Example: A vacuum cleaner working on blowing out to clean hard-to-reach places.

— Spheroidality principle Transition from straight parts to curved ones, from flat surfaces to spherical ones. Example: Using convex mirrors to increase the viewing angle.

— Dynamics principle Make the characteristics of the object or external environment changeable. Example: Height-adjustable furniture.

— Partial or excessive actions principle If it’s difficult to obtain 100% of the required effect, achieve «a little less» or «a little more». Example: Excessive amount of paint when painting to guarantee full coverage.

— Another dimension principle Difficulties related to moving an object along a line are eliminated if the object acquires the ability to move in two dimensions. Example: Multi-story parking instead of single-level parking.

— Mechanical vibration principle Make the object oscillate, use vibration. Example: Vibrating conveyors for transporting bulk materials.

— Periodic action principle Transition from continuous action to periodic action. Example: Intermittent windshield wipers in a car.

— Continuity of useful action principle Carry out work continuously, eliminate idle and intermediate moves. Example: Assembly line production.

— Skipping principle Conduct the process or certain stages at a high speed. Example: Rapid quenching of metals to improve properties.

— «Blessing in disguise» principle Use harmful factors to achieve a positive effect. Example: Using production waste as raw material for another process.

— Feedback principle Introduce feedback into the system. Example: Thermostat in a heating system.

— «Intermediary» principle Use an intermediate object-carrier. Example: Using a catalyst in chemical reactions.

— Self-service principle Make the object serve itself, performing auxiliary and repair operations. Example: Self-sharpening knives.

— Copying principle Instead of an unavailable, complex, or expensive object, use its simplified copies. Example: Using 3D models in architecture instead of physical mockups.

— Cheap short-living objects principle Replace an expensive object with a set of inexpensive ones. Example: Disposable tableware for mass events.

— Mechanical system substitution principle Replace a mechanical scheme with an optical, acoustic, or «odor» one. Example: Using optical sensors instead of mechanical switches.

— Pneumatics and hydraulics principle Use gas and liquid parts of an object instead of solid parts. Example: Inflatable life rafts.

— Flexible shells and thin films principle Use flexible shells and thin films instead of three-dimensional structures. Example: Vacuum packaging products for better preservation.

— Porous materials principle Make an object porous or add porous elements. Example: Porous filters for water purification.

— Color changes principle Change the color of an object or its external environment. Example: Reflective elements on clothing for safety in the dark.

— Homogeneity principle Objects interacting with a given object should be made of the same material. Example: Using fluoroplastic seals in aggressive chemical environments.

— Discarding and recovering principle Make portions of an object that have fulfilled their functions go away or modify them during operation. Example: Discarding stages of a carrier rocket.

— Parameter changes principle Change the object’s aggregate state, concentration, consistency, degree of flexibility, or temperature. Example: Freezing products for long-term storage.

— Phase transitions principle Use phenomena occurring during phase transitions. Example: Using crystallization heat in crystallizer heaters.

— Thermal expansion principle Use thermal expansion or contraction of materials. Example: Bimetallic plates in thermostats.

— Strong oxidants principle Replace common air with oxygen-enriched air, use pure oxygen, ozone, or peroxides. Example: Oxygen enrichment in metallurgy to increase combustion efficiency.

— Inert atmosphere principle Replace the normal environment with an inert one. Example: Using inert gas when welding active metals.

— Composite materials principle Change from uniform materials to composite ones. Example: Using carbon fiber in aircraft construction to reduce structure weight.

These techniques are not just a list, but part of a broader system. They are used in combination with the «table of technical contradictions,» which helps choose the most appropriate techniques for a specific task.

It’s important to note that although these techniques were initially developed for solving technical problems, many of them can be successfully applied in non-technical areas — business, marketing, social innovations, and even in personal life.

For effective use of these techniques, it is recommended to:

— Clearly formulate the problem and identify the contradiction.

— Use the table of technical contradictions to select the most suitable techniques.

— Apply the chosen techniques, generating various ideas.

— Evaluate the obtained ideas and choose the most effective solution.

These techniques represent a powerful toolkit for solving inventive problems and stimulating creative thinking in various fields.

Imagine that you have mastered TRIZ at a professional level. You don’t just solve problems — you anticipate them, create innovations, and change the world around you. Your mind becomes a real laboratory of ideas, where the most complex tasks turn into exciting puzzles, and each contradiction becomes an opportunity for a breakthrough.

Having become a TRIZ master, you will be able to:

— Develop revolutionary technologies capable of changing entire industries. Just as Elon Musk reimagined electric cars and space flights, you’ll be able to find unexpected solutions in your field.

— Create products of the future, anticipating consumer needs even before they realize them themselves. Your ideas will not just be innovative, but truly ahead of their time.

— Solve global problems of humanity, finding elegant and effective solutions where others see only a dead end. Whether it’s issues of ecology, energy, or healthcare — your approach will be able to offer unexpected perspectives.

— Optimize business processes with such efficiency that it will border on magic. You’ll be able to find hidden reserves and turn the company’s weaknesses into its strengths.

— Become an indispensable expert in any team, capable of looking at a problem from an angle that opens up completely new horizons of solutions.

— Develop your creative thinking to a level where generating innovative ideas becomes as natural a process as breathing.

— Create patents and intellectual property that can become the basis for creating new companies or entire industries.

— Solve personal life tasks with the same efficiency with which you solve technical problems, turning each challenge into an opportunity for growth and development.

— Become a thought leader in your field, whose ideas and approaches will be studied and copied by others.

— Get deep satisfaction from work, knowing that every day you are not just performing tasks, but creating the future.

Mastering TRIZ at a professional level is not just acquiring a new skill. It’s a transformation of your thinking that will allow you to see the world in a completely new light. You’ll become not just a problem solver, but a true architect of innovation, capable of changing the world for the better. Your potential will become truly limitless, and your impact on the world around you — invaluable.

Let’s return to the tasks we considered earlier, and try to solve them using TRIZ principles. After that, I’ll provide answers to these tasks.

Tasks to solve

— «Robin Hood» Task: How to film an archery scene so that it’s both realistic and safe at the same time?

— «Painting Forgery» Task: How to sell a forged painting while getting confirmation of its authenticity?

— «Ancient Vase» Task: How to export a valuable vase from a country where there’s a ban on its export?

Try to apply the TRIZ principles we discussed to these tasks:

— Define the Ideal Final Result (IFR)

— Identify contradictions

— Use system resources

— Apply some of the 40 principles for eliminating technical contradictions

Think about each task for a few minutes, trying to find a non-standard solution. After that, we’ll look at the answers.

Answers to the tasks:

— Solution to the «Robin Hood» task: The «taking out» and «preliminary action» principles are applied. A thin fishing line is attached to the arrow and the wooden target on the actor’s back. The archer can shoot in any direction, but the arrow, thanks to the fishing line, will always hit the target. This ensures both realism and safety simultaneously.

— Solution to the «Painting Forgery» task: The «nested doll» principle is used. During the evaluation by experts, the forgery is placed under the original. Thus, when experts put a stamp on the back of the «original», they are actually stamping the forgery. After this, the forgery can be sold as a certified original.

— Solution to the «Ancient Vase» task: The principle of «changing the physical and chemical parameters of the object» is applied. The vase temporarily «transforms» into another object. For example, it can be used as a container for transporting other items, with appropriate documentation. Or an exact copy of the vase can be created from modern materials, documented as a copy and exported, while in reality, the original is being exported.

These solutions demonstrate how applying TRIZ principles allows finding non-standard and effective solutions to complex problems, overcoming seemingly contradictions and using the available resources of the system.

Practice applying TRIZ in everyday life

— Home tasks: Choose a small problem in your home — for example, organizing space, improving kitchen functionality, or optimizing a workspace. Apply TRIZ principles to find a non-standard solution.

— Work challenges: At work, pay attention to a process or task that seems inefficient. Use TRIZ methods to analyze the situation and generate ideas for improvement.

— Personal goals: Think about a personal goal you want to achieve. Apply TRIZ to develop a new approach to achieving it.

— Communication and relationships: Analyze a difficult communication situation using TRIZ tools. Try to find a solution that will satisfy all parties.

— Creative project: If you have a hobby or creative pursuit, use TRIZ to generate new ideas or overcome creative block.

— Ecological habits: Think about how you can apply TRIZ to improve your ecological habits or reduce waste.

— Learning a new skill: Choose a skill you want to master and use TRIZ to develop an effective learning strategy.

— Conflict resolution: When a conflict situation arises, try to apply TRIZ to find a mutually beneficial solution.

Important:

— Start small. Choose small, specific tasks.

— Write down your ideas and solutions.

— Discuss your findings with others, this can lead to new insights.

— Don’t be afraid to experiment and try non-standard approaches.

— Practice regularly. TRIZ is a skill that develops with experience.

Remember, the goal of these exercises is not only to find a solution but also to develop the skill of applying TRIZ thinking in various situations. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of creative problem-solving!

Examples of TRIZ application at a professional level

— Samsung Electronics Samsung has been actively using TRIZ since the 1990s. The company has trained thousands of its engineers in TRIZ methods, which has led to a significant increase in the number of patents and innovations. Result: Samsung has become one of the leaders in consumer electronics and semiconductors. For example, using TRIZ, Samsung engineers developed a new method for producing large LCD screens, which allowed the company to become a leader in the TV market.

— Procter & Gamble P&G uses TRIZ to develop new products and improve existing ones. Result: The company has developed many innovative products, including Pampers diapers with adhesive fasteners. Using TRIZ helped P&G increase the number of successful innovations from 15—20% to 50—60%.

— NASA NASA uses TRIZ to solve complex technical problems in the space industry. Result: Using TRIZ, NASA engineers developed a new drilling method in zero gravity conditions, which was critically important for Mars missions.

— Intel Intel applies TRIZ to solve problems in microprocessor production. Result: The company was able to significantly reduce the size of transistors, which led to the creation of more powerful and energy-efficient processors.

— Siemens Siemens uses TRIZ to develop new technologies in energy and automation. Result: The company was able to develop more efficient wind turbines, significantly increasing energy production with the same turbine size.

— Genrich Altshuller (TRIZ creator) Altshuller himself used TRIZ to solve various technical problems. Result: He received numerous patents, including an invention for diving equipment that allowed diving to great depths without the risk of decompression sickness.

— Ford Motor Company Ford uses TRIZ to optimize production processes and develop new automotive technologies. Result: The company was able to significantly improve the car painting process, reducing production time and costs.

— Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce applies TRIZ in the development of aircraft engines. Result: The company was able to develop new cooling methods for turbine blades, which significantly increased the efficiency and durability of engines.

These examples show how TRIZ can be applied in various industries to solve complex technical problems and create innovative products. TRIZ allows engineers and inventors to systematically approach problem-solving, which often leads to unexpected and effective solutions.

Evaluate your experience with TRIZ by answering the following questions

— How useful did you find learning about TRIZ on a scale from 1 to 10?

— Rate the difficulty of understanding the basic principles of TRIZ from 1 to 10, where 1 is very easy and 10 is extremely difficult.

— On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you think your life could improve if you start regularly applying TRIZ methods?

— How much more effective do you feel already, just by familiarizing yourself with these concepts? Rate from 1 to 10.

— Which ideas or principles of TRIZ seemed most interesting or applicable to your life?

— Can you imagine a specific situation from your life or work where TRIZ methods could be particularly useful?

Remember that even if you’ve just familiarized yourself with this information without actively applying it, you’ve already changed your thinking. Knowledge about TRIZ is now part of your intellectual baggage, and it may unexpectedly «surface» at the right moment, helping you find a non-standard solution.

The brain is an amazing tool that continues to process received information even when we’re not thinking about it. Perhaps, after some time, you’ll notice that you’ve become more attentive to contradictions in everyday situations or have begun to intuitively search for ideal final results in your projects.

Moreover, just knowing about the existence of structured methods for solving complex problems can give you confidence when facing challenges. You now know that almost any problem has a solution, you just need to approach its analysis correctly.

Even if you feel now that you haven’t fully understood all aspects of TRIZ, don’t worry. This method is designed for gradual mastering and improvement. Every application of TRIZ principles in life, even the smallest one, will develop your creative and analytical thinking.

Remember that genius often lies not in possessing unique knowledge, but in the ability to look at familiar things in a new way. TRIZ gives you tools for such a new perspective. And who knows, maybe you’ll become the author of the next revolutionary solution that will change the world for the better!

NLP: Managing Emotions and States

What is NLP and where did it come from?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy, developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in California. NLP is based on the idea that there is a connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns that have been learned through experience. This connection can be programmed to achieve specific life goals.

NLP is interpreted in various ways: some consider it psychology, others see it as a manipulation technique, while others view it as a method of managing one’s own brain or a form of psychotherapy. For many practitioners, NLP is primarily a modeling tool applicable to both brain function and business processes.

NLP is used for:

— Improving communication

— Personal development

— Overcoming phobias and negative emotions

— Changing unwanted habits

— Increasing efficiency in work and study

— Improving interpersonal relationships

Imagine that your brain is a big computer that controls everything you do and feel. NLP is like a magic instruction book that helps you understand how this computer works. With these instructions, you can learn to «reprogram» your brain to better handle different situations, be happier, and achieve your goals.

State and Emotion Management

Our emotional state is the result of our perception of the world around us. In reality, there is no «good» or «bad,» there is only our attitude towards events, which is formed based on how we think about them. Our reactions depend on beliefs, experiences, and opinions, but the reaction itself is created only through internal images, sounds, and bodily sensations.

In NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), these components are called submodalities. An emotional reaction arises due to a certain trigger — a program embedded at the subconscious level. When the trigger is activated, we see internal images, hear sounds, and experience sensations that create emotions and prompt actions.

We can change these automatic programs by changing the reaction to the trigger, or simply by changing the internal images, which will automatically affect our emotions and, consequently, our behavior and actions.

We have several representational systems:

— Visual (images in our head)

— Kinesthetic (our sensations)

— Auditory (sounds we hear)

— Digital (internal dialogue)

— Vestibular (sense of balance and position in space)

Submodalities are the parameters of these representational systems. For example, for the visual system, these can be brightness, contrast, color, movement or static nature of the image, size, speed, location, presence of a frame, clarity, etc. These parameters may differ for each person in different situations.

A pleasant memory might be represented as a large, bright, moving picture, while an unpleasant one might be small, gray, static, with blurred edges. If you change the submodalities of a negative memory to positive ones, the attitude towards this event will also change.

It’s important to remember about «ecology» when working with such techniques. Most negative memories, fears, and problems carry some positive intention (this is one of the presuppositions of NLP). Therefore, before changing anything, you need to understand why it appeared in the first place and preserve the positive aspect.

Practical exercise:

— Recall something unpleasant. Try to imagine it as accurately as possible, see all the details, feel the emotions. Remember this state.

— Now look at yourself from the side in this memory, as if you’re watching a movie. Notice how your sensations have changed.

— Try to remove all colors from this memory, and then, conversely, make the picture very bright and contrasting. Choose the more comfortable option.

— Now try to mentally distance this «movie». Make it as small as possible, but so that you can still distinguish what’s happening there.

— Pay attention to your sensations. Do you experience the same negativity as at the beginning? Most likely, the sensations have changed, which demonstrates your ability to control them.

This is the basis of NLP techniques. In a short time, you can learn to remove negative states, replace them with positive ones, or induce a state of creative insight. All this is achieved through fairly simple techniques that allow us to better understand and control our emotional reactions.

Where NLP can be used:

— In business to improve sales and negotiations

— In education to increase learning efficiency

— In psychotherapy for treating phobias and psychological problems

— In sports to improve results

— In personal life to improve relationships and self-esteem

— In politics and advertising for more effective communication

Questions for the reader

— How well can you control your emotions?

— Do you think it’s possible to fully manage your states?

— How strongly, in your opinion, do our emotional states influence events in our lives?

— Have you had situations where changing your attitude towards a problem helped solve it?

Examples of NLP application

Teaching spelling rules Remember how you write, you can write something right now, or read a few lines. at the moment when you do this and when you read these sentences, you involuntarily pay attention to how words are written, whether there are enough commas, to literacy.

Let’s consider the process of perception and processing of written information by our brain. Remember how you usually write or read. You can write a few words or read a few lines of text right now. Note that when you do this or read these sentences, you involuntarily pay attention to how words are written, whether there are enough commas, to overall grammatical correctness.

Now let’s analyze what exactly happened when you read the previous paragraph. You probably noticed some mistakes immediately, and some — not. Perhaps you read the entire text and felt that something was wrong, and then began to look for where exactly the error was. This phenomenon is called inhibition, and it represents a slight trance state. You might have caught a glimpse of some image, heard a sound, or experienced an uncomfortable sensation. This is your subconscious signaling you about the presence of an error. Perhaps you quickly identified the word with the error, and then began to analyze where exactly in this word the error was and what exactly it was. This process indicates that understanding the correctness of writing does not occur at a conscious level, but is a subconscious reaction. Thus, the ability to see errors is a program embedded in the subconscious, but you can consciously pay attention to it or ignore it.

Obviously, you studied spelling rules back in school, and now you know them and can track errors, some easier, some harder. But have you thought about exactly how you do this? When you saw several errors in the text, you understood that they were there, but how? Did you immediately remember the rules or how you learned these words? Most likely, you just intuitively understood that the word was misspelled and should be written differently.

Let’s conduct an experiment. Read the word «maloko» (misspelled Russian word for milk). It grates on your eyes, doesn’t it? You immediately understood that it was written incorrectly, but how exactly did you determine this? Take a moment away from the text and imagine this word in your imagination. How does it look in your head? Not the image of a milk carton, but the word itself. Now imagine the correct spelling — «moloko». It doesn’t cause discomfort, right? Imagine it in your imagination as well. What sensations does it evoke? Now mentally place these two words side by side: «maloko» and «moloko». How do they differ in your perception? How do you understand that the first word is incorrect?

Usually, the erroneous letter in our mental representation stands out in color or size, sometimes we see it crossed out. In addition, there is almost always physical discomfort, some sensation in the body signaling incorrectness. When you realize how correct and incorrect spellings differ in your perception, you’ll understand how exactly your brain highlights errors. This will allow you not to recall the rules every time you need to check spelling, but simply mentally imagine the phrase and see where the error is.

This method significantly accelerates the process of learning spelling for children, as they become aware of how the verification process works. This is modeling the work of your consciousness.

It’s important to understand that learning is not just memorizing rules, but the ability to work effectively with your brain. This explains the difference in performance between students in school or university. There are always those who study poorly, can’t learn anything — these are people who don’t know how to use their thinking effectively. There are those who study poorly due to lack of motivation. There are those who study well but put in a lot of effort. There are so-called «crammers» or «nerds» who spend a lot of time studying and often just memorize the material — they model the studied issue well in their head. And there are those who don’t study very much, but easily solve any problems, quickly understand and remember everything, spending many times less time on learning with high results.

The last category is people who know how to effectively use their thinking for modeling solutions and memorization. They automatically use similar systems, as we considered above, just without thinking about it. Such effective thinking programs are potentially available to everyone, you just need to learn to use them. By default, our brain already has effective and easy strategies for solving various tasks, but you need to learn to apply them by studying the very concept of thinking and its mechanisms.

The Forer Letter (Barnum Effect)

This effect demonstrates how people accept general descriptions as accurate characteristics of their personality. Here’s an example of such a description:

«You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You pride yourself as an independent thinker and do not accept others’ statements without satisfactory proof. You have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be pretty unrealistic.»

Most people, after reading this description, find it very accurate. This happens because our brain tends to look for correspondences and confirmations. We cling to those parts of the description that seem to fit us and ignore those that don’t match our self-perception.

This principle is widely used in horoscopes, fortune-telling, and some psychological tests. For example, if you give a person a horoscope to read that doesn’t correspond to their zodiac sign, they may still find it very accurate.

To demonstrate this effect, you can conduct a simple experiment. Choose a quality horoscope and give it to people whose zodiac sign differs from the one described. You’ll be surprised how often people will be sure that the description is exactly about them, especially if you tell them that this is indeed their zodiac sign.

One of the basic principles of human thinking is generalization and searching for similarities. When a person encounters new information, they automatically look for similar moments in their experience and draw parallels. Instead of evaluating the situation from scratch, the brain primarily looks for correspondences with previous experience. This is an evolutionary mechanism that helps structure information and survive.

Horoscopes and similar techniques exploit this principle by describing common situations that don’t necessarily relate to a specific person, but the reader themselves finds where exactly this statement is true for them. It’s important to note that people tend to relate positive statements to themselves, while negative ones may be rejected.

The simple principle of creating such descriptions is to use general statements. For example, the phrase «there are people who have a negative attitude towards you and hinder your life» applies to almost everyone, as it’s hard to find a person whom everyone without exception loves. Another method is to use opposites. For example, «you’re quite an open person, but there are situations when you close off». Such a description will suit both extroverts and introverts, each will find something of their own in it.

Similar techniques are used by fortune-tellers and psychics. They often talk about common fears and dreams, allowing the client to interpret these general statements in relation to their own life. They also use methods of «cold» and «hot» reading to adjust their predictions on the fly.

Another effective method is description by life cycles. For example, you can tell an adult: «Previously, you dreamed of global goals, wanted to change the world, and now you more often analyze your past decisions and think about the correctness of current actions». Such a description will resonate with most adults, as it reflects the general path of growing up and gaining life experience.

Understanding these mechanisms not only helps improve communication skills but also allows for a better understanding of how one’s own brain works. This knowledge can help avoid the traps of generalization and be more critical of various «personalized» descriptions and predictions.

Name «Reading» Technique: A Detailed Guide for Beginners

This technique allows you to surprise the interlocutor by seemingly revealing their personality by name. Here’s a step-by-step instruction:

— Ask the person to say their name.

— Mentally break the name into separate letters.

— Start with the first letter. For example, the name «Anna» starts with «A».

— Come up with a positive characteristic starting with this letter. For «A» it could be «accuracy».

— Say something like: «A» at the beginning of a female name often means accuracy. You are very attentive to details, especially in matters important to you».

— Carefully observe the interlocutor’s reaction. If you see a smile or nod, continue in the same vein.

— If you notice doubt or disagreement, immediately clarify: «But this is not ordinary accuracy. In some situations, you can create creative chaos, but in really important matters, you show exceptional attention».

— For a stronger effect, you can start with an unexpected statement. For example: «A» is often associated with aggressiveness». When you see surprise or disagreement, quickly explain: «But in your case, it’s a special form of aggression — the ability to act decisively when it’s really necessary. You know how to gather strength and achieve your goals in important situations».

— Continue with the rest of the name letters, using the same approach. For each letter, come up with a positive character trait or ability.

— Always leave room for maneuver. Use phrases like «often», «in most cases», «usually». This will allow you to easily adapt the description if you notice disagreement.

— Conclude the «reading» with a summary: «Your name says that you are [list 2—3 of the brightest characteristics you mentioned]. This makes you a unique person with great potential».

Most people, after reading this description, find it very accurate. This happens because our brain tends to look for correspondences and confirmations. We cling to those parts of the description that seem to fit us and ignore those that don’t match our self-perception.

This principle is widely used in horoscopes, fortune-telling, and some psychological tests. For example, if you give a person a horoscope to read that doesn’t correspond to their zodiac sign, they may still find it very accurate.

To demonstrate this effect, you can conduct a simple experiment. Choose a quality horoscope and give it to people whose zodiac sign differs from the one described. You’ll be surprised how often people will be sure that the description is exactly about them, especially if you tell them that this is indeed their zodiac sign.

One of the basic principles of human thinking is generalization and searching for similarities. When a person encounters new information, they automatically look for similar moments in their experience and draw parallels. Instead of evaluating the situation from scratch, the brain primarily looks for correspondences with previous experience. This is an evolutionary mechanism that helps structure information and survive.

Horoscopes and similar techniques exploit this principle by describing common situations that don’t necessarily relate to a specific person, but the reader themselves finds where exactly this statement is true for them. It’s important to note that people tend to relate positive statements to themselves, while negative ones may be rejected.

The simple principle of creating such descriptions is to use general statements. For example, the phrase «there are people who have a negative attitude towards you and hinder your life» applies to almost everyone, as it’s hard to find a person whom everyone without exception loves. Another method is to use opposites. For example, «you’re quite an open person, but there are situations when you close off». Such a description will suit both extroverts and introverts, each will find something of their own in it.

Similar techniques are used by fortune-tellers and psychics. They often talk about common fears and dreams, allowing the client to interpret these general statements in relation to their own life. They also use methods of «cold» and «hot» reading to adjust their predictions on the fly.

Another effective method is description by life cycles. For example, you can tell an adult: «Previously, you dreamed of global goals, wanted to change the world, and now you more often analyze your past decisions and think about the correctness of current actions». Such a description will resonate with most adults, as it reflects the general path of growing up and gaining life experience.

Understanding these mechanisms not only helps improve communication skills but also allows for a better understanding of how one’s own brain works. This knowledge can help avoid the traps of generalization and be more critical of various «personalized» descriptions and predictions. b) Changing beliefs using submodalities: Imagine a limiting belief (for example, «I can’t learn a foreign language») as a picture. Then change its characteristics: make it less bright, smaller, move it further away. At the same time, create a bright, large, and close picture with a positive belief («I am capable of learning a foreign language»).

c) Using the «Milton model» to improve communication: Application of generalized phrases and metaphors to create rapport and influence the interlocutor’s subconscious. For example, instead of «You must do this», use «People often find that when they do this, the results exceed their expectations».

d) Experiment with lucky and unlucky people: This experiment was conducted by British psychologist Richard Wiseman, who studied the phenomenon of luck from a scientific perspective. Here’s a detailed description of the experiment:

— Wiseman placed an advertisement in a newspaper, inviting people who considered themselves very lucky or very unlucky to participate in a study.

— 400 people of different professions aged 18 to 84 participated in the experiment.

— Wiseman studied these people for a long time, conducting surveys, tests, and interviews.

— The «unlucky» group constantly talked about their failures and negative experiences, while the «lucky» ones talked about constant luck in all areas of life.

— In one of the experiments, Wiseman gave participants a newspaper and asked them to count the number of photographs in it.

— On the second page of the newspaper, it was printed in large font: «Stop counting. There are 43 photographs in this newspaper».

— In the middle of the newspaper, there was another message: «Stop counting. Tell the experimenter that you saw this message and get $250».

— The results were striking: the «unlucky» ones spent about two minutes on counting, while the «lucky» ones found the message within seconds.

— As a result, the «unlucky» ones didn’t get the money, while the «lucky» ones earned, as it seemed to them, by chance.

This experiment clearly showed how our beliefs affect the perception of reality and the use of opportunities. «Lucky» people were more open to new information and opportunities, while «unlucky» ones were so focused on the task that they missed obvious chances.

Wiseman concluded that luck is not a mystical property, but the result of a certain way of thinking and behavior that can be learned.

Technique for managing experience perception to achieve success

This simple but powerful NLP technique allows changing attitudes towards successes and failures, which in turn affects a person’s overall success. Many successful people intuitively use this strategy, which consists of the following:

1. Attitude towards failures:

— Consider failures as valuable experience, not as a reason for upset.

— Analyze them from the position of an outside observer, extracting lessons.

— Rejoice in the opportunity to learn something new.

2. Attitude towards successes:

— Fully immerse yourself in positive moments.

— Experience them emotionally, enjoying every aspect.

The key aspect of this technique is the use of dissociation and association:

Dissociation (with failures):

— Imagine that you’re looking at the situation from the side, as if it’s happening to someone else.

— This allows you to distance yourself from emotions and look at the situation more objectively.

— You can notice mistakes and aspects that you usually overlook.

— This approach prevents the formation of negative beliefs about yourself (for example, «I’m a failure»).

Association (with successes):

— Fully immerse yourself in the situation, experiencing it «from your eyes».

— This enhances positive emotions and creates strong positive associations.

— Positive beliefs about yourself and your abilities are formed.

— Motivation for further achievements is strengthened.

Advantages of the technique:

— Allows extracting benefits from any experience, both positive and negative.

— Prevents the formation of limiting beliefs.

— Enhances motivation and self-confidence.

— Contributes to a more objective analysis of situations.

— Helps maintain emotional balance.

Practical application:

— Start with conscious application of this technique in everyday situations.

— When faced with failure, mentally «step aside» and look at the situation as an observer.

— With success, on the contrary, fully immerse yourself in experiencing the moment.

— Regularly practice this approach until it becomes automatic.

It’s important to remember that although this technique seems simple, its effective application requires practice and mindfulness. Over time, with regular use, it can significantly change your perception of life situations and increase overall success.

e) Future modeling This NLP technique is a powerful tool for programming the subconscious to achieve desired goals. Unlike general recommendations on visualization that can be found in many popular self-development books, NLP offers a precise algorithm that takes into account the subtleties of how our brain works.

Detailed description of the process:

— Transforming a dream into a goal: Start by clearly defining what you want to achieve. A dream is usually vague and seems unattainable. Your task is to transform it into a specific, measurable, and achievable goal. For example, instead of «I want to be rich», formulate «I want to earn $100,000 a year in 3 years».

— Creating belief in achievability: It’s important to believe that your goal is really achievable. Think about similar goals you’ve already achieved in the past. This will help create a belief that the new goal is within your power.

— Working with submodalities: Create a vivid, detailed image of achieving the goal. Pay attention to all sensory modalities:

— Visual: what do you see? What colors, shapes, movements?

— Auditory: what sounds accompany the achievement of the goal?

— Kinesthetic: what sensations in the body do you experience?

— Olfactory and gustatory: are there any smells or tastes associated with achieving the goal?

Adjust the submodalities of the image:

— Make the image bright, contrasting, clear

— Increase the size of the image

— Make sounds loud and clear

— Intensify pleasant sensations in the body

— Determining the timeline: Each person has their own unique «timeline» — a way of representing the past, present, and future in space. Determine your timeline:

— Think about an event that will happen tomorrow. Where in space do you see it?

— Now think about an event in a week. Where is it?

— And where is an event in a month?

— Where is an event in a year?

Usually, the future is located in front and to the right, but you may have it differently. It’s important to determine your individual timeline.

5. Placing the goal on the timeline: Determine exactly when you want to achieve your goal. Find the corresponding point on your timeline and «place» the image of achieving the goal created earlier there.

6. Creating a «bridge to the future»: Imagine the path from the present moment to the point of achieving the goal. Note key stages and actions necessary to achieve the goal. This can be like creating a mental «roadmap».

7. Association with the future: Mentally «step into» the image of the future where the goal is achieved. Fully immerse yourself in this state. What do you see, hear, feel, being a person who has already achieved this goal? How has your life changed? How do you feel?

8. Returning to the present: Return to the present moment, maintaining a sense of inevitability of achieving the goal. This feeling should be similar to how you would remember something that will definitely happen in the future, for example, a planned vacation.

9. Ecological check: This step is critically important. Imagine that you have already achieved the goal, and analyze how this will affect other aspects of your life. Will there be any conflicts or undesirable consequences? For example, if your goal is career growth, will your family life suffer from this? If you discover conflicts, adjust the goal or find a way to harmonize it with other aspects of life.

10. Regular practice: Repeat this visualization regularly, especially before sleep, when the brain is most receptive to programming. Gradually, the image of the future will become clearer and more real for your subconscious.

11. Letting go: After programming, it’s important to «let go» of the goal, trusting the process. Paradoxically, excessive desire and obsession with the goal can block its achievement. The subconscious works better when you are calm and confident in the result.

How it works: After such programming, your subconscious begins to actively work towards achieving the goal. It can:

— Draw your attention to relevant information and opportunities that you might not have noticed before.

— Influence your decisions, pushing you towards actions that contribute to achieving the goal.

— Adjust your behavior and reactions so that they work towards achieving the result.

— Increase your creativity in solving tasks related to the goal.

As a result, events may occur that seem like random coincidences or «luck», but are actually the result of your programmed subconscious work.

It’s important to remember that this technique does not replace real actions, but significantly increases their effectiveness, guiding you towards the goal in the most optimal way.

By regularly practicing this technique, you can significantly increase your chances of achieving desired results in various areas of life, be it career, relationships, finances, or personal development

8. Practical assignment:

Think about a problem or goal you would like to solve or achieve. It can be anything: from overcoming fear of public speaking to improving relationships with colleagues. Try to apply NLP tools:

— Clearly formulate your goal.

— Visualize the desired result, making the image bright and attractive.

— Determine what beliefs or emotions are preventing you from achieving the goal.

— Apply the reframing technique, finding a positive meaning in the current situation.

— Create an anchor (for example, squeezing your fingers) and associate it with a feeling of confidence and ability to achieve the goal.

— Use the «Cinema» technique if your goal is related to overcoming fear.

— Apply future modeling to program your subconscious to achieve the goal.

Write down your observations and feelings after completing this exercise.

Basic level of NLP mastery

Having mastered even basic NLP techniques, you can significantly improve the quality of your life. You will learn to better understand yourself and others, communicate more effectively, and manage your emotions. This will help you feel more confident in various situations, whether it’s an important interview, public speaking, or personal relationships.

You will be able to achieve your goals faster as you learn to overcome internal barriers and limiting beliefs. NLP will give you tools for deeper self-knowledge and personal growth, allowing you to unleash your potential in various areas of life.

You will notice that you have become more attentive to details in communication, learned to better «read» people and find an approach to different personality types. This will make you more successful at work and help build more harmonious relationships with others.

Even basic NLP skills can become your secret weapon in everyday life, helping you to be more effective, happy, and confident.

Advanced NLP methods for advanced users

a) Walt Disney Strategies: A method of creative thinking that includes three roles: Dreamer, Realist, and Critic. Each role considers the idea from different perspectives, allowing for the creation of innovative solutions.

b) Neurological levels: A model describing the hierarchy of levels at which changes occur: environment, behavior, capabilities, beliefs, values, identity, spirituality.

c) Integration of conflicting parts: A technique for resolving internal conflicts through dialogue between different «parts» of the personality.

Professional level of NLP mastery

Having mastered NLP at a professional level, you will become a true master of communication and personal development. In the professional sphere, you will be able to achieve impressive results: easily conduct negotiations of any complexity, effectively manage a team, inspiring and motivating people, create and implement innovative ideas.