How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that this line of thinking leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt defeated knowing that the problem before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions. Impossible.

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There is still hope!

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions. Finding out that the impossible is possible after all.

First, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. In fact there may be more than two or three solutions for every challenge you face. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Identify the problem. Maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not taken a good hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral to solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem. Too often, symptoms of the underlying problem are identified as the problem and plans are created to correct it, but the real problem continues to exist.

Not trying to make the simple statement of what the problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain and stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Clean your glasses. Take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have towards the problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed. Seeking an objective outside perspective is very helpful.

Break it. Break the problem down and solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Be creative. Although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, think about how you could make that solution work. Often the most ridiculous sounding options have some validity to them. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Multiple streams. It pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there is more than just one solution to the problem. Keep the many streams that are feeding the solution flowing.

Two heads are better than one. That one is truer than it sounds. Actually I prefer, a team of heads is always better than one. Always be open to new ideas. Listen to all the ideas each person has, before assessing their value. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

Napoleon Hill in his masterpiece Think and Grow Rich speaks of the importance of the Master Mind. Hill describes it as "coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people for the attainment of a definite purpose."

Failing forward. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around. Our minds work best through learning by trial and error. Using failed attempts to learn from provide working context of the problem and possible solutions. Play out the possible solutions to assess outcomes.

So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. Impossibility exists only in our head. Instead of seeing all the reason it cannot be done, focus on what it would take to find the solution. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. Start living the solutions.