1. Emotions. We often have a tendency not to think at all but to rely on instant gut feeling, emotion, and prejudice as a basis for action.  

2. Helplessness. We may react with feelings of inadequacy: "I don't know how to think about this. I don't know what to do next."  

3. Confusion. We try to keep everything in mind at once, with a mess as a result.

The six thinking hats method is a simple and practical way of overcoming all three difficulties.