When we are faced with new problems or challenges there is tendency to leverage solutions from the past. It is quick, easy, safe and comfortable. It is sort of mindless thinking that requires little effort. We can inadvertently switch on auto-pilot by reaching to the past by going for the quick solution.
One way to avoid default thinking is to challenge assumptions. Are you really solving the problem or are you executing predetermined maneuvers? Are you recycling a solution? Can you push it further? Can you explore the problem deeper? Look at it from different angles? Learn more about the situation?
By staying curious and being comfortable with not having answers you can push your creativity which leads to innovative solutions.
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I like your attitude towards web-design. I to have the same approach of wanting to thoroughly solve a problem with best solution. One recent example that came to mind was sorting a two-dimensional array. At first it was structures with about 10 or so “if” selection structures. I do not know if you know programming that well, or strictly web-design. However, selection “if” structures in Java are very similar to java script “if’s”. Anyway’s my point here was I felt I came up with a very clever design of sorting the array in ascending numeric order. It was nothing ground breaking but I feel as though I demonstrated some strong talents in design by breaking loose of the comfortable norm of “auto-pilot” as you put it.
Joe,
That is exactly what I was thinking, it does not matter if you are designing or developing it is about trying to push your thinking in new directions and challenging yourself to grow.
Yes that is true. I think a part of being a good programmer entails having some good over all knowledge that includes web-design as a part of his repertoire. I push myself to have skills that include what is needed for real life applications with programming. Such as advanced file writing and reading techniques. Sorting and searching arrays. With web- design I am focusing on being able to picture a layout and put into action. I am certain I will have this shortly. HTML code is much, much easier than Java.