Look for the second right answer.
Interpretation
This quote encourages seeking unconventional solutions rather than settling for the first viable option.
Roger Von Oech's quote suggests that when faced with a problem or decision, it's beneficial to look beyond the obvious or initial solution. This approach encourages creativity and open-mindedness, prompting individuals to explore alternative perspectives that may lead to greater insights and potentially more effective outcomes.
In practice
This quote could be used in a brainstorming session to encourage team members to think outside the box.
If you fall in love with an idea, you won't see the merits of alternative approaches-and will probably miss an opportunity or two. One of life's great pleasures is letting go of a previously cherished idea. Then you're free to look for new ones. What part of your idea are you in love with? What would happen if you kissed it goodbye?
Take advantage of the ambiguity in the world. Look at something and think what else it might be.
We grow up thinking that the best answer is in someone else's brain. Much of our education is an elaborate game of 'guess what's in the teacher's head?' What the world really needs to know right now is what kind of dreams and ideas are in your head.
It's easy to come up with new ideas; the hard part is letting go of what worked for you two years ago, but will soon be out-of-date.
Everyone has a 'risk muscle.' You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don't, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day.
We all wish to reach a ripe old age, but none of us are prepared to admit that we are already there.
It may be enough to study history in all its nuance and ambiguity for its own sake. But there is no country free of the need to find new ways of reading the past as an inspiring way of thinking about everything else, including the present.
There are so many things that we are capable of, that we could be or do. The potentialities are so great that we never, any of us, are more than one-fourth fulfilled.
Trust the people -- that is the crucial lesson of history.
I knew if I waited around long enough something like this would happen.
Itβs time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become.
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