This book focuses attention on what we need to do as well as what to avoid in strengthening our natural problem-solving aptitudes. Including practical examples, brain-teasing drawings and anecdotes throughout, the authors build their framework on the IDEAL (identify, define, explore, act, look) model and show how potential problems both fit and are solved within this framework. The authors discuss such issues as learning new information, overcoming blocks to creativity and the importance of viewing problems from a variety of perspectives. They offer strategies for improving memory, for criticizing ideals and generating alternatives, and for communicating more effectively with a wider range of people. The text should provide useful advice to solving the myriad problems that confront and confuse people daily.