SolveYourProblem Article Series: Brainstorming
Brainstorming, Where Do I Begin?

Horizontal Thinking vs Vertical Thinking

Spiritual and motivational guru, the late Earl Nightingale, proposed in his famous “The Essence of Success” audio series that any challenge requiring a creative solution can best be faced by pursuing both a Horizontal and Vertical mode of solving it. Learning Nightingale’s timeless problem-solving technique involves learning to think vertically and horizontally, opening you up to untold solutions and rewards.

Vertical Thinking

Thinking vertically is seeking out solutions based on existing knowledge or ideas. Vertical solutions are solutions with which other people have already found some measure of success.

Thomas Edison pointed out that in every profession, industry, and market ideas abound that have yet to be fully formed and executed to their furthest potential. Those ideas are just waiting for someone like you to come in and sculpt them with your genius.

Vertical research is the kind of research you can do on the internet, using search engines to find reports, whitepapers, case histories, articles, and other materials detailing how others have dealt with situations and challenges just like yours, and using forums to ask other people for opinions and advice on how to approach a particular situation or problem.

Visualize vertical thinking as digging or drilling deep down into the core of a problem.

A key advantage of vertical thinking is that it doesn’t involve much risk. A key disadvantage of vertical thinking is that it’s rarely the source of a breakthrough.

Horizontal Thinking

Thinking horizontally is coming up with new ideas by thinking expansively, in new and different directions. Horizontal thinking is akin to brainstorming.

To find new lands, we must first consent to lose sight of the shore, the saying goes. It means that we must abandon (or at least set aside) the known and familiar, the tried and true, to get to brand new places.

To extend the previous visual metaphors, if vertical thinking is drilling into a well, horizontal thinking is more like exploratory drilling, looking for an untapped well. It’s like mining for gold.

A key disadvantage of horizontal thinking is that it’s quite risky, to boldly go in new directions, to leave behind the familiar, and try to view something a way it’s never been seen before. But a key advantage of horizontal thinking is that it is the fast-track to breakthroughs.

Putting it Together

For the best results solving problems in a real-world setting, use an approach that combines both vertical and horizontal thinking. Tap into your existing wellspring of ideas so that you fulfill the highest potential of each of your very best ideas. And at the same time be a pioneer in your own territory, discovering brand new lands in your own backyard.

In any challenge, situation, or opportunity, experts like the late, great Earl Nightingale recommend you collect as much information as you can about it (thinking vertically) before beginning to brainstorm new solutions (thinking horizontally).

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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