I believe these are wonderful questions. I have tried most of my adult life to be original for better or for worse. It has made me sometimes stand out, to be able to think of different and sometimes valuable new ideas and solutions and follow my own path.

It has also meant that I have become bored far too easily, it has made me unpopular at times and i have lacked a single-minded focus with my business (something i am trying to remedy with my Speed Thinking concept).

But to be an original thinker is still something to be cherished i believe. We all need people in our lives that help us see something in a different light or can open us to a new possibility. Original Thinkers are people with courage and imagination that do not want to follow the crowd nor accept the prevailing wisdom. Sometimes original thinkers are way ahead of everyone else and shine a light that others may follow and occasionally there are people that are original but are just plain wrong or mad or both.

But every now and then wouldn’t it be good to be more original at work (and your personal life).–to be the first person to think of a breakthrough solution and to jump ahead of the competition. To help others break out of the ‘me-too’ cycle?

How do you become an original thinker?

Here are some suggestions:

- Deliberately adopt an unpopular point of view and see the world fro this perspective e.g. is a good for the world that America is so powerful?

- Open your mind to new stimulus e.g. I read psychology and science magazines even though i am neither a psychologist nor scientist.

- Think of the ‘rules of the game’ that everyone seems to follow e.g. why are mobile phones getting smaller and smaller when the population is becoming older?

- Value your own experiences. We have been brought up to believe that our own experiences are somehow not valid they are too subjective. My bet is that if you are frustrated with a product or service for example then others feel the same way.

- Be fast. Don’t hesitate or second guess yourself. The lesson from Speed Thinking is that it is a process that enables your authentic and original self to emerge.

- Have courage. Be brave and follow your own thoughts. Be sure that if you voice a point of view others will follow.

These suggestions can help you become more original. Being able to think for yourself is a priceless ability and asset–in a washed out, neutral, grey world, a splash of colour can really stand out.

Ken Hudson

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Answer: According to Mintel Market Research, ‘the popular beverage market of energy drinks continues to grow with sales increasing over 240% from 2004 to 2009. In the same timeframe, there has been a flood of new energy drinks to the market with new product launches up by over 110%.

http://www.mintel.com/press-release/Energy-drink-ingredients-continue-down-unhealthy-path?id=386

The problem with this amazing increase is the growing awareness that energy drinks have a downside. As Lynn Dornblaster from Mintel notes, “There is a significant market right now for drinks offering a boost of energy. “Although consumers say they try to eat and drink better, it appears that energy drinks is not a category in which that happens, as they continue to choose options that contain sugar, caffeine and taurine, all of which can have negative effects if consumed in excess.”

But is there a better way of boosting your energy levels but not resorting to energy drinks? Doing some exercise for example or perhaps meditating?

What about thinking quickly?

According to Princeton’s psychologist, Emily Pronin (et al), the simple act of thinking quickly (or what she calls manic thinking) can help you to feel more energized.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060926171045.htm

The authors note that: "The results of our experiment suggest the intriguing possibility that even during moments when people feel stuck having depressed thoughts, interventions that accelerate the speed of such thoughts may serve to boost feelings of positive affect and energy."

So if you are feeling low in energy rather than reaching for an energy drink or your 5th cup of coffee try Speed Thinking. You can now re-energize yourself-naturally without any potential damaging side-effects.

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We have all heard of the seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride) but what of the seven deadly fears?
 
These are (in no particular order):

1. Fear of Dying
 
2. Fear of Ageing
 
3. Fear of Change
 
4. Fear of not Measuring up to Other’s Expectations.
 
5. Fear of Rejection.
 
6. Fear of Failure
 
7. Fear of making a Mistake
 
This is a personal list–no doubt there are others or you might have your own list. My point is that many people go through life limiting themselves in what they can achieve because they are trapped by their own fears. For example, let’s consider the first one (i.e. the fear of dying). Why worry about something that we know is going to happen? We can minimise the probability of it occurring early but that is about it. My own personal view is that religion has been created by man to overcome this often crippling fear. I do not believe in the promise of an after-life but i do believe however that if we find meaning in your life then you do not have to fear death.
 
And while we are at it–why fear ageing (the second fear)? Again this is a natural biological process that every living organism goes through at varying rates. Again why worry about it? With age can come wisdom, maturity, kids and if we keep mentally active we can stay young in heart and mind.
 
The remainder of the seven fears can also be overcome or reduced. One of the reasons I am excited by Speed Thinking for example, is that it provides a glimpse of what we are all capable of because it enables you to just create, decide or solve without worrying about these fears. Why? Because you are too busy doing to worry about any of these fears. I have watched literally thousands of people amaze themselves because for a brief few minutes they are not being fearful. They are being authentic and original.
 
What do you fear in life? How is it limiting you? Wouldn’t you like to be free of this even if only for a short time?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzrap8Vtyq’

Now for the purists this type of accelerated chess is nor everyone’s cup of tea. For example, Malcolm Pein, the Daily Telegraph’s chess correspondent, fears that the faster contest loses the “purity” of the traditional game.

He also believes that it could lead to a reduction in the “highest level of the game”. His comments come as Kasporov and Karpov face each other in an exhibition chess match commemorating the 25th anniversary of their marathon first title bout.

“It is a little bit like one day cricket gaining pre-eminence over Test cricket,” said Mr Pein, an International master.

“As a little bit of a traditionalist I am just a little concerned with losing the purity of the slow game where you get the highest level of chess.

“But of course one has to move with the times and in a sense Kasparov and Karpov would not want to play a long match of what they call classical chess because it is just too exhausting.”

The two men waged one of the world’s greatest rivalries when between 1984 and 1990 they met five times for the world championship and pretty much drew even – Kasparov won 21 games, Karpov took 19 and they drew 104 times.

The first title bout started in September 1984 in Moscow and lasted nearly five months before it was halted with no winner declared on the grounds that both were exhausted.

Kasparov won a rematch in 1985 and captured his first world title, at age 22, becoming the world’s youngest-ever champion.

Traditional chess had a five hour limit but with speed chess it is reduced to 25 minutes (Telegraph.co.uk 24/9/09).

But Speed Chess also has it benefits. It can help you to think and evaluate the opponents moves rapidly, identify positional play and develop new strategies. It is also more practical if you have only a short period of time or you are playing a painfully slow player (http://www.101chesstips.com/why-play-speed-chess.jsp).

My invention of Speed Thinking faces similar criticism from some quarters. Somehow it is not as elevated as traditional thinking and quality might suffer. My proposition is that Speed Thinking like Speed Chess is similar to the original game but it also is different (for better and for worse). It can help you improve your traditional thinking just by encouraging you to practice thinking more. Sure you might make more mistakes but you will also learn more. You will also do more and make many more decisions rather than procrastinating.

So if you only have limited time then start thinking without the fear of making mistakes. Speed Thinking like Speed Chess is great fun and with any skill you will become better at it, the more you do it.

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He also wrote a best selling book called Train Your Brain-60 days to a better brain, Penguin, 2007. Although there is some controversy about his work his research suggests the activities that tend to activate the brain most effectively are:

- Solving simple calculations quickly

- While you are reading aloud particularly when you do this faster; and

- While you are writing

Note how much emphasis Dr. Kawashima places on doing these activities quickly. This resonates with my work on speed thinking. I do not have access to brain imaging but participants comment on how more energised they feel when they do exercises similar to these. In my work i encourage participants to think as fast as they can in two minutes with a goal of trying to create at least nine ideas or solutions to a problem or challenge.

Some of the exercises we use are:

-What are nine things that make you smile (in this case we do this in 60 seconds)?

- What are nine surprising things about yourself?

I also obtain remarkable results when i ask people to draw quickly. For example, draw nine features of the worst meeting that you have ever been to in the next two minutes.

 People are often amazed at what they can produce. The drawings are insightful, expressive (a picture can tell a 1000 stories) and often quite emotional.

If Dr. Kawashima and my work on Speed Thinking is correct, these sorts of activities can help train your brain, keep you mentally sharp and make you more productive. It also makes you feel good. This sounds like a wonderful investment for a few minutes of your time each day.

Ken Hudson

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Part of the problem is that you can get lost in the details and forget the main elements of any problem or decision. I was discussing this situation with our local florist who had undertaken many art classes in her Arts Degree. When drawing life models for example, in one class the teacher made them draw the person in 15 seconds. The only way you can do this is by focusing on the major elements of a person–in this case their different shapes. After 15 seconds the model would change position and the student had to redraw the different shapes. This might continue for ten times or more.

This type of approach has many parallels with Speed Thinking:

- You become focused

- You start to see the most important elements only

- You are not bogged down on the fact that you are drawing an arm for example but on its shape.

- You just start. There is no time to procrastinate–you just start-anywhere is fine and you build.

- You have no time to be critical of your own work as you race the clock and

- It encourages you to use bold strokes. There is no time to focus on the details and build the picture up detail by detail.

The florist also told me that the 15 second process was incredibly energizing-there was no time to become lost in the details and when the students all returned to the usual way of drawing they saw different things. It simplified the process and the subject became less complicated.

Perhaps there is a lesson for all of us in this approach. We can allow ourselves to be lost in the details and to over-analyze every situation when our first, initial response may be the best option after-all.

Ken Hudson

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Here was a guy that had just played a 5 hour semi-final and was playing one of the greatest players of the modern era in Roger Federer yet refused to back down and continued to go for his shots when he was tired and in pain.

This mental strength gives him an edge over all the other players on the tour.

Imagine if you will if you could develop the same mental edge at work or in your study. To stay in the moment, not to be thrown by the many obstacles of life, to be generous to your peers and competition, to never believe you are beaten and to think clearly and quickly under the most extreme question.

These are all qualities that through our own mental training we could all acquire. Rafael Nadal is an inspiration to us all.

Ken Hudson

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The reason we do this is to simulate a fight situation. Because we have been hit we know what it feels like so we do not panic in a real situation. The other reason is a mental one. By conditioning our body the Sifu explains we are also conditioning our mind. We become more confident and assured. It feels to me that i can better handle the ups and downs of life more generally and any potential confrontation with greater maturity.

The point of this conditioning training is therefore both physical and mental. It is a wonderful situation that by training your body you can train your mind.

The reverse is also true. A strong mind helps you build a strong body. It is the ultimate symbiotic relationship.

Any form of purposeful exercise i believe can have the same effect.

Ken hudson

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I am reminded of this as i watch the Australian Tennis Open and the commentator suggested that because the second serve of the first player was so slow it meant that the receiving player had too much time to think and as a result would lose their rhythm. If you have ever played golf and have had to wait around to hit off on the first tee you will also understand the problem of having too much time. Or, for example, if you have ever taken a penalty in soccer (football) or in my case when i had to wait around to go ab-sailing. By the time it was my turn, my confidence had evaporated as i considered every dangerous possibility that might happen.

The problem with having to much time in the sporting arena seems to be that your conscious, analytical mind tries to plan and control your actions in advance. By doing so all you tend to do is to remind yourself of everything that can go wrong. This often leads to indecision and hesitation. Should i go for the top left hand corner when taking the penalty or should i wait for the goal keeper to commit? Maybe i should keep it low? What is i miss? These thoughts can swirl around in your head–it is no wonder that many soccer coaches suggest that you should commit to a spot in the goal and just kick the ball.

It is a paradox but often when you have too much time you end up not doing anything well. I have noticed the same thing with business people. After an exhaustive analysis they can tell you everything that can go wrong with any number of options which in the end means that they do not try anything. This might be the worse option of all as nothing will stop the more nimble, flexible competitor.

Having too much time is just one example of a thinking error that we all suffer from. My concept of Speed Thinking is just one way to overcome this error. The aim of Speed Thinking is to encourage people to just do. A better option seems to be to select an option that feels right at the time and completely commit to it. Try it!

Ken Hudson.

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I mention this finding in the context of a gloomy and uncertain world. If you work in business no doubt you have been impacted by the recent downturn, job security is a thing of the past, people are feeling stressed and overworked. It might be that you have lost your job or someone close to you has lost theirs. Whatever the situation, you can be excused for feeling a bit down at the moment.

But if this feeling continues and your thoughts slow down, you cannot make a decision or you feel stuck then perhaps you should seek help. Depression is a relentless and continuous illness that can be treated. I am not a psychologist or therapist so please bear this in mind but perhaps the concept and practice of Speed Thinking may be able to help you.

A friend of ours suffers from depression and has recently been using speed thinking to help him cope with this illness. This was a surprise to me when he first discussed it with me last week. After thinking about this for a while it does make perfect sense. He reports that using speed thinking gives him a feeling of accomplishment. It means that he can make quick decisions that he feels good about and in a sense gets him going.

Fred (not his real name) talked to me about creating a positive reinforcement cycle in his life. By this he means that speed thinking enables him to make a decision or solve a problem or create a new idea (to start in my language). Thinking quickly made him feel good immediately (as per Pronin’s work) and he could see the result of what he was doing (e.g. he would meet his girlfriend for a surprise lunch) which made him feel better and more in control of his life and a greater sense of achievement.

Fred uses speed thinking for the smaller things in his life but he feels that this gives him momentum and confidence to tackle the bigger things.

I did not initially design speed thinking for use in the treatment of depression but perhaps (as in Fred’s case) it can help certain people deal with this illness and lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

I would love to hear from you if this resonates with you or if you have used speed thinking to help in these types of situations.

Ken Hudson

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