Today, it is with much excitement that I present to you Marelisa Fábrega. Marelisa has been a constant supporter and friend here at “The Jungle of Life” for the past year, and was one of my early visitors when I first started out. Her articles are always thought-provoking and with a real focus on each of us finding abundance, in all it’s forms, in our lives.
One area of interest for Marelisa is exploring ways to spark the creativity muse in all of us. She has created a wonderful ebook, filled with nearly 100 pages of techniques to use when your creative side could use a little spark. This handbook has something for everyone, and is a tool you’ll come back to over and over. For more information on this great resource, please check out:
How to Be More Creative: A Handbook for Alchemists
Marelisa is a constant source of such positive and uplifting material. You can keep up with her by visiting her blog, Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online. For regular updates, subscribe to her RSS feed and follow along with her on Twitter.
Today we’re flipping things around. Read along, as Marelisa talks about…
Flip It
photo credit: der bobbel
“We are all cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” ~ Ray Bradbury
Ian Ayers—author of the bestseller “Super Crunchers”—and Barry Nalebuff, both Yale Professors, co-authored a book called “Why Not: How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big and Small”, in which they insist that creativity is a skill that can be taught. An interesting technique that they propose in their book for coming up with new ideas is to constantly ask the following question: “would flipping it work?” I found an excellent video in which Barry talks about the book, and presents some interesting examples of how the concept of “flipping it” can lead to very creative solutions. Below you’ll find some of these examples:
The Upside-Down Christmas Tree
Christmas is the favorite holiday of the year for a lot of people, and decorating the tree is a beloved Christmas tradition. However, having a tree decorated with ornaments standing in the middle of one’s living room is not all fun and games; here are some of the problems that are often encountered with a traditional Christmas tree:
• It takes up a lot of floor space.
• Small children are always reaching for the tree ornaments.
• There’s never enough space under the tree for all of the presents.
• Pets are constantly running around the tree knocking off the ornaments.
So how can these problems be solved? With an upside-down Christmas tree. You can hang it from a bracket on the ceiling like a chandelier, stand it upside-down on a tree stand, or mount it tip-down on the wall. Some people even consider that you can better display tree ornaments with an upside-down Christmas tree, since it’s easier to place the ornaments at eye– level and they don’t get lost in the foliage.
Organ Donation: Flip the Default to Opt-Out
Barry explains that there are over 90,000 people on the waiting list for organs in the United States. Some of these people die before organs become available. Why does the US have such a long waiting list for organs? Because there’s not enough people who are contributing. The US uses an opt-in method for organ donation: unless someone signs a “Uniform Organ Donor Card”, their organs cannot be used. And not enough people sign these cards.
The flip of opt-in, of course, is opt-out; the proposal is to change the system so that people’s organs are donated unless they sign a form to opt-out. Many countries in Europe, including Spain, France, and Belgium, have opt-out organ donation programs. By changing from an opt-in to an opt-out program, these European countries have eliminated their organ waiting list.
Pension Plans and Bananas
Although this isn’t one of the examples used by Barry in his talk, in 2006 Congress passed “The Pension Protection Act” which allows employers to enroll new employees in 401K plans automatically, unless the employee chooses to opt-out. That is, instead of asking: “How can we overcome the inertia of employees and get them to enroll in a 401K plan?”, they flipped the situation by allowing employers to create automatic opt-in plans.
For one last flip, Barry argues that the best way to peel a banana is hold it with the stem/handle pointing down, pinch the tip, and then peel downward toward the stem. Although this is the opposite of how most people peel a banana, it’s how monkeys do it (the experts), you don’t have to deal with banana strings, and you can conveniently hold the banana by the stem as you eat it.
Conclusion
As you can see from the four examples explained above, flipping the problem can be used to solve problems both big—organ donation and 401K plans—and small—Christmas trees and bananas. In addition, people have a tendency to get complacent and to do things in the way in which they’ve always been done, without stopping to think if there might be a better way to do them. So, how are you going to use the “flip it” creativity technique to solve your everyday problems and help change the world?
What a cool post! I feel more creative just having read it (and I’m using that banana technique later today!). I don’t consider myself a traditionally creative person, but when I read about other people’s creativity or surround myself with creative types, I tend to absorb their influences. Thank you!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog post..Living the Golden Rule of Love When Others Let Us Down
I’m loving this technique for reframing and for shifting perspectives. I’ll have to think how I can incorporate this into my life. I see great potential of using this kind of creative thinking with my children (to help them think out of the box).
Stacey / Create a Balance´s last blog post..Self First
It’s a wonder how different things become when you flip them!
A simple change in one’s perspective can really be the start to change somebody’s life.
I TAKE OFF THE MASK´s last blog post..Bear Children Begotten of Love
Yes, I like the idea of looking at things from a completely different angle and perspective. Limitations in terms of our thought patterns are largely self imposed. “Flipping” things around can provide much needed new insights.
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..The School of Life
Marelissa, if you ever wrote anything I didn’t love, my reader missed the post.
Lance, thanks for flipping the Jungle so Mare could shout.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..The Journalist’s Secret to Adding a Creative “Spin” to Any Product or Service
This is great!!!! I really hope the organ program would be flipped. Most people just don’t really understand it, especially our new drivers. My 16 year old just got his license. He is a highly intelligent, gifted young man. He thought that when he signed the card, if he got into an accident and survived, someone would come and take his organs while he was still alive. Funny, but I wonder how many other’s really don’t understand how it all works. I think when people have to opt-out, they pay a lot more attention to what it is they are signing away.
Also, it seems it’s best to flip all future meals, eat dessert first and soon I will flip my day by sleeping in longer in the morning!
Truly great post! Thanks for sharing Lance and Marelissa.
Audra Krell´s last blog post..Father’s Day Is Coming!
I totally agree with the authors of “Super Crunchers” — creativity is something everyone possess — it’s all about thinking and “flipping it” as they say. I taught creative thinking/writing to kids (grades 4 thru
and later seminars for teachers with the same curriculum. The kids ate it up, the teachers were actually intimidated — always wanting to know how many ideas the kids came up with versus themselves. They eventually let loose, as they became more comfortable “learning” how to be more creative in their thinking but it took continual exercises to get them “out of the box”.
Thanks Lance, for yet another blogger to tune into and also the wonderful book suggestions — I’ll get them asap since this subject is near and dear. My own ebook with my curriculum should be available by the end of the year — technology “lessons” for me the current journey to make it happen. a TBA forthcoming.
suzen´s last blog post..Distractions Cure Boredom and More.…..
Great post! I love the idea of flipping it and I’d never given it any thought before. It’s so important to look at things (especially problems) from different perspectives and I think your post does such an excellent job of illustrating that here. Thank you!
Positively Present´s last blog post..happiness (is not) for sale!
Sometimes the answer is right in front of us…but we just need a different perspective. I love the banana flip! Genius (I hate banana strings too)! I think about all the ways I could have solved problems… Great post!
Caroline´s last blog post..Wow…I said that?
I’ll never forget in a yoga class early on in my practice when the instructor was teaching us headstands. She said, “If you’re looking for a new perspective in your life, practice a headstand”. Talk about flipping it. How often do you stand on your head???? This stayed with me ever since, and I practice headstands often, when in need of a new perspective.
I heard the quote recently and because I couldn’t find the exact or who said it I’ll paraphrase — “the thinking that got you into the situation, isn’t the same thinking that will get you out.”
Stacey Shipman´s last blog post..Is Coffee the Answer to Focus and Productivity?
This post awakens the mind to such fabulous ideas. A person can choose to walk backwards, wear mis-matched socks and do things in unconventional ways. This opens the mind to experience new kinds of freedom.
Liara Covert´s last blog post..Release the guilt
Hi Lance and Marelisa! Nice job! Flipping is a great method. Like the front and back of the same coin. I used this technique recently with planning travel. We wanted to go to Boston and Maine in July. It was so expensive to fly into Boston and rent a car, etc. and we really only wanted to be in Boston for July 4th, and then spend the rest of the time in Maine. Lo and behold, far cheaper to fly into Portland and make Boston a day trip. “I was going about it all wrong!”
I think I signed something on my drivers license allowing them to use my organs, but it certainly bears confirming to see if I an still opted-in. I’ve been told by a couple of doctors I have an an exceptionally cute spleen and vibrant kidneys so those might serve someone well.
Another great caring post, Lance, that will no doubt help make a positive difference. I too am a fan of Marelisa. Thanks!
Fannie Junster´s last blog post..So how ’bout that!
Mare,
Love, love, love the quote. My organs are up for donation upon death. Somedays I’d like to flip my computer upside down! I actually saw the bananna video on you tube.
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog post..Magic Mondays with Castle Baths
Companies often hire young, inexperienced employees because they provide a “flip it” benefit of viewing and doing things differently. I like the idea that anyone can “flip it,” even if we’ve been doing something in a particular way for years.
Vered — MomGrind´s last blog post..10 Ways To Love Yourself As A Woman
I love the idea of flipping it. I recently had a teleseminar called “Flip the Raw Food Switch” and although that’s not exactly what you’re talking about, it definitely relates to flipping our food habits. Instead of trying to add more fruits & veggies to an already packed diet… why not remove the diet and start with fruits and veggies & add other things only if they fit?
Oh and I love the banana one! I personally open bananas from the “top” or the side. But I know some varieties of bananas cannot be opened from the top at all, which explains why monkeys might be used to opening them that way.
Nathalie Lussier´s last blog post..Set Yourself Up for Raw Success
Great ideas. There are ways to get through all of our difficulties and issues if we just keep an open mind and consider it all from a new perspective.
Sagan´s last blog post..The Run-A-Race-This-Summer Challenge
Mare,
I like to pretend I am someone completely opposite of me (say a homeless person) and wonder what she would think about this thing I am trying to figure out. That is flipping crazy but it often works.
It is always good too change the way you look at things. And why not flipping it or standing on your head
Thanks
Mimi
Mindful Mimi´s last blog post..Every aspect of our lives is, in a sense, a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. — Frances Moore Lappe
Hi Lance: Thank you for posting this.
Hi Megan: One of the things I try to do in my blog and in my ebook is get everyone to see themselves as being incredibly creative, because we all are. I’m glad you found the post useful.
Hi Stacey (Create a Balance): It’s always important to ask ourselves: “How else can we look at this?” Hope your children enjoy flipping it.
Marelisa´s last blog post..29 Ways to Suck Out the Marrow of Life
Hi Jocelyn (I Take Off the Mask): The authors of “Why Not” use a variation of lateral thinking, which is a term coined by Edward de Bono which encourages us to look at problems from different perspectives. It’s a very powerful method.
Hi Evelyn: I like how you say that limitations to how we see things, or our beliefs, are self-imposed. Because they really are.
Hi Sean: Thank you.
And I guess Lance did flip the Jungle over to me for today. 
Hi Audra: Most people don’t sign the organ donation card because it’s not something they even want to think about (being in a fatal accident), and that’s especially true for a sixteen year old. In addition, there’s something called the “status quo bias” which basically means that it’s difficult to get people to move out of the way things are right now, even if it would be a positive move. Changing the system to opt-out would definitely be a move in the right direction. I’m glad that you liked the post.
Hi Suzen: It’s interesting that the kids took to creativity so easily when the teachers were intimidated by the same curriculum. Kind of makes you wonder,“Who’s teaching whom?”.
Your ebook sounds great.
Marelisa´s last blog post..29 Ways to Suck Out the Marrow of Life
Hi Positively Present: Glad you got something positive out of the post.
Hi Caroline: It took a Yale Professor to teach us how to peel bananas correctly.
Hi Stacey (Shipman): The quote you refer to is by Einstein. I love the idea of flipping yourself over to look at a problem differently.
Hi Liara: What you mention is actually a great way to stimulate the mind and create new neural connections. Every time you jolt the mind out of complacency you’re strengthening it.
Hi Betsy: That’s an excellent example. Isn’t it amazing how creative we get when there’s the possibility to save money.
Hi Jannie: I see you flipped the J for the F.
I, too, have been told I have great looking organs. 
Hi Tess: Interesting thing about the quote is that I came across it for the first time about two days ago but it was actually Lance who included it at the top of this post.
I’m going to have to look for that video on YouTube.
Marelisa´s last blog post..29 Ways to Suck Out the Marrow of Life
Hi Vered: You’re absolutely right that companies tend to look for young people to hire hoping to get a fresh perspective. But we can all continue looking at things in new ways as long as we allow ourselves to do so, and we make an effort to question our assumptions.
Hi Nathalie: That’s a great idea: think of fruits and vegetables as the main dish and add other stuff on after that. Honestly that would be a major switch for me because if there isn’t chicken, fish, or meat on the place it doesn’t look like lunch or dinner to me.
Hi Sagan: I always tell myself: “To every problem there’s a solution and I have the perfect ability to find it.”
Hi Mimi: Pretending that you’re someone else is a great way to change perspective. We all have a lot of “mental baggage” and by pretending we’re someone else we have an easier time letting go of it and seeing things differently.
Marelisa´s last blog post..29 Ways to Suck Out the Marrow of Life
Very clever idea for displaying ornaments. Thank you.
What a great way to change a perspective and create solutions. Love it.
I actually once had a “flip it” experience with a Christmas tree. We were living abroad in a small apartment at the time and didn’t have enough room for one. We also didn’t want to buy a full Christmas tree as we would have had to get rid of it or take it home with us when we left (neither option was appealing).
We did however want to have some sort of Christmas decoration so we bought some garland (for the tree part), tinsel (to decorate it) and already had some gold cardboard (for the pot) and constructed our masterpiece on a wall. It was aptly called our 2D Christmas tree! We also printed out a pic for a 2D holly wreath for our front door.
It was hilarious and did the trick!
Sami — Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog post..Laughter
Th is is awsome! Thanks so much for recommending her blog and book. I could use a creative spark.
Well by golly if monkeys peel their bananas from the bottom than I must give it a try. I hate to be out peeled by a monkey!
Being able to solve problems in a unique way is a great way to start a business! I like looking at nature for ideas. That’s how Velcro came about. The inventor looked at how stickers got stuck in socks and Kapowee! Velcro!
Hi Marelissa — This is a really wonderful idea. We get too conditioned to what the “right” response is to a problem and subsequently can’t see all of our options. I have to admit the idea of flipping a Xmas tree seems sort of crazy, but, then again, why not? There are so many solutions out there if we tweak our perspective just a bit. Thanks!
Amanda Linehan´s last blog post..Answers: Use Your Eyes; Learn To See
Excellent article! I love the way you speak of changing one’s perspective (Flipping). I truly believe that it isn’t necessarily what we experience in life that impacts us but rather the meaning we give it. Thanks for this enlightening post.
Keith´s last blog post..Stuck in a Rut or Rockin’ Your Routine?
I love the changing perspective ideas ~ great examples, too!
I work in critical care at a large pediatric hospital and there is such a need for organ donors…I know it can be a difficult subject but thanks for broaching it
Inspired to flip things,
Bella
SheSleepsWithSeaGlass´s last blog post..Breakfast Tools Of Champions.
Hi Marelisa and Lance .. great ideas .. as you say look at things in a different light, tip them upside down and rethink .. we often need to walk away from things to solve the problem .. or just leave it for a while and a trigger will happen. I haven’t stood on my head for years — perhaps I should try — safer than a handstand.
Thanks for the link across to Ian Ayers and Barry Nalebuff’s books and video ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Hilary´s last blog post..Help! Hamburg … to San Diego … Part 1 of 2
Hi Ramona: I think it’s a clever way to display ornaments too.
Hi Sami: And it was probably a more meaningful Christmas tree then if you had gone out and bought a full Christmas tree.
Hi Laurie: There’s something called biomimicry that does just that. They’re even constructing a building in Qatar–it’s really hot there–in the shape of a cactus, where the shades of the building open and close in response to the heat just as cactus’ cells do.
Hi Amanda: When I first saw the photo of an upside-down Christmas tree in the video I thought “That just looks weird”. But then I started looking for a nice photograph to link to from this post and the more you look at them the more you get used to the idea.
Hi Keith: I completely agree that it’s really about the meaning that we give to things. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post.
Hi Bella: I hope Congress acts on this soon. If you see other countries doing something that saves lives and that could work in your country, I say copy them.
Hi Hilary: Sometimes looking at a problem for too long squelches your creativity. So you’re right, go do something else for a while and then come back.
Marelisa´s last blog post..29 Ways to Suck Out the Marrow of Life
So much fun! Now I’m brainstorming what I can flip today! And I’ll make sure my Flip doesn’t Flop. hehehe.
Yum Yucky´s last blog post..Free Giveaway Combats the Snotty Nose
I like your examples.
“Flip it” is evocative and sticky. I’ll test how I can use “flip it” for some of my problems.
J.D. Meier´s last blog post..The 20 Percent Spike
Lots of great ideas. I love the organ donation opt-out idea. hubs and I are both donors.
Lisa’s Chaos´s last blog post..Twister and Addy
Maybe the nation got a bit creative last presidential election. I think it’s fair to say that was a flip…
Hi Mare and Lance — I can see I’ll have to think about my banana peeling technique — can’t be out-done by a monkey!
This reminds me of a book on my bookshelf — A Soprano On Her Head. It’s about finding better ways for musicians to function — the author asked one singer (a soprano) to sing while standing on her head! (this apparently loosened her up — I don’t know whether it would work for me) –R
Robin´s last blog post..Sondra Ray — Rebirthing And Physical Immortality
I love these ideas. There are many great solutions to problems like organ donating. We just need to flip it around and find a solution that makes sense.
I give Marelisa’s blog an A. Whoever is reading this post should add her blog to their RSS feed.
Karl — Work Happy Now´s last blog post..How to Build Confidence at Work
Hi Marelisa and Lance — I hung a Christmas tree upside down in my house a few years ago. I ended up taking it down because some relatives had a problem with it.
Your post also reminded me of the Einstein quote “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” And then I wondered if we create all of our problems or if some just happen. I suppose just by labeling a situation as a problem we have created one.
I really like the Ray Bradbury quote above. Interesting post!
Diane C.´s last blog post..Seeing Orange
Mare,
Great post. In my country we already have an opt-out system for organ donors, which means that EVERYONE (except Muslims, for religious reasons requiring the body to be buried intact — for them it’s still opt-in) is an organ donor by default unless you opt out.
An interesting piece of trivia for you — the Chinese symbol for fortune or happiness is supposed to be hung upside down ie flipped. The reason? So it’s easier for the gods in heaven to read it from where they are
Daphne´s last blog post..Using Feng Shui to Attract Wealth
Hi Yum Yucky: Yes, flips that flop is something to watch out for.
Hi J.D.: I think that when you’re doing a mental run-down of creativity techniques you could apply to any give situation that “flip it” will probably be one of the first ones that comes to mind.
Hi Lisa: Thank you. That’s excellent that both you and your husband are donors.
Hi Paul: Hadn’t thought of that one, but yes, you could say the last presidential election was a flip. (Although I think most Republicans would argue it was a flop.
).
Hi Robin: And there’s an art book where you’re taught to paint the white spaces instead of the object. It’s a technique that can really be applied to anything.
Hi Karl: Well, thank you. My blog does apply itself.
Hi Diane: When you try to do things differently you’re bound to ruffle some feathers. I think that the word “problem” doesn’t need to have a negative connotation. We can define it as a situation waiting to be made better or improved upon.
Hi Daphne: Both of those interesting. It’s always a good idea to make things as easy as possible for the gods.
Marelisa´s last blog post..Quirky, Inc. — Turn Your Ideas Into Reality
Marelisa — Thank you for sharing this wonderful article. I think this idea has so much potential, the concept of “flipping” things to look at an opportunity differently. I’ve been peeling my bananas upside down all week. Besides finding a new and fun way to peel bananas — the side effect of this is even greater. Every time I peel a banana this way, it gets me thinking about this whole concept of flipping things/thoughts/ideaa around to look at them differently. And that’s a pretty cool side-benefit of this!
Thanks again for taking the time to share this article and continue to be here. What a great source of information this is. And to that — this is only the tip of the iceberg of what you have in your ebook! What a truly wonderful source of creative ideas!
All — Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful comments! I’ve loved reading through them and picking up ideas as I do — awesome stuff!
I’m going to try that banana trick!
Lance, thanks again for shaing such a meaningful guest post. I enjoy exploring Marelisa’s blog. She reminds everyone has untapped creative power. We each help others tap into their own.
Liara Covert´s last blog post..Pamir Kiciman & Interview on self-transformation
Creativity is really just about looking at everyday things from a new angle. I like to hang onto a fencepost or other support, lean back, and watch sunsets upside-down.
Elizabeth Barrette´s last blog post..Feeding Our Children Right
Here I am at twenty minutes after midnight, Sunday now.
And anxiously awaiting my Sunday Thought For The Day.
Guess I’ll keep hitting the olde F5 key until your post appears to guide me throught my next move in life.
I’ve got some banana popsicles and a box of Ritz crackers to keep my strength up while I’m waiting.
Hopefully won’t be too long now…
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Another chance!
Okay, I’m patient..
Waiting. Waiting. Hitting the olde F5…
Shoot, popsicle juice dripped on my keyboard.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Another chance!
Now it’s 12:32 and I’ve got cracker crumbs in my laptop.
Waiting for that Sunday Thought… F5, F5, F5…
Here’s a Sunday Thought… life is very very wonderful with friends like you! And my readership is up 12.17 percent in the past two weeks! Well, that’s two Sunday Thoughts, I guess.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Another chance!
@Mama Zen — That’s what I said too — I’ve got to try this banana trick. It’s pretty cool!!
@Liara — Hi Liara. Yes, creativity is there within each of us, in our own unique ways. She shares so many ways to spark that creativity — awesome!
@Elizabeth — Hi Elizabeth. A different angle can make all the difference in sparking a new thought for us. And I love the idea of viewing a sunset upside down…now I’m thinking I have to try this one too!
@Jannie — Jannie…you really should get some sleep! I know you’ll be the first anyway (do you ever sleep??)
@Jannie — Well…look who’s here! Hey, did you get that keyboard cleaned up. And…if you have any extra Popsicles…I’m coming over!
@Jannie — You are crazy fun, do you know that! What am I doing coming up with Sunday quotes.…all I have to do is throw some popsicles and crackers your way — and you become a machine — full of so much wisdom! Life is wonderful with friends like YOU! Thanks for hanging out here (at all hours of the day!). And P.S. — my readership is up 17.12 percent…thanks to you…
Hi Lance and Marelisa,
I love the idea of flipping it. Instead of asking “why?”, I like to ask, “why not?” The answers are always a pleasant surprise.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..The Biggest Challenge Of Blogging
So glad we’ve “met”!
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Got Gravatar? No? It’s Easy!
@Barbara — Hi Barbara. I like it — flipping the question around. I’m going to experiment with this one — thanks Barbara.
@Jannie — You know…I feel the same way!