The Art of Problem Solving : Masterclass

“ A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” -Duke Ellington

The term 'problem' can be defined as an obstacle in our personal and professional life which should be solved with a logical approach. In an easy word, a problem is a matter or an unwelcomed situation, and we need to deal with it.

Problem-solving is the method of defining a problem; discovering the root of the problem; identifying, prioritizing, and choosing alternatives for a solution; and executing a solution. Problem-solving is the intelligence to identify and solve problems by applying relevant skills systematically. Problem-solving is a method - a continuous process in which we take what we know to find what we do not know.

A good problem solver has 63% more chances to get a job, comparing others. If we consider that a jobless situation is a problem, well, who has the best chance to solve it? 

All the great entrepreneurs have one thing in common - they all are good problem solvers. Whenever an obstacle is thrown to them, they turn its course in their favour and change the game.

6 Steps of Problem Solving :

1. Identify :

Identifying the problem is one of the most critical parts of problem-solving. Most of us often discard the main problem, we keep struggling with symptoms and other unnecessary things, and we fail. So, we have to identify the problem first. Then, define the problem in detail with correct measurements.

“ A problem well stated is a problem half solved.” - John Dewey

2. Research :

With a well-defined problem in hand, our next task is to research the problem. We need to dig deep into the problem, study essential materials to know more. Good research will provide many small and big factors that control the problem, and they need to be managed to solve the problem.

“ Research is the distance between an idea and its realization” -Davis Sharnoff

3. Hypothesis :

A hypothesis is a proposed answer for a problem or event. After research, we will have some factors that are controlling the problem, and we will define some hypothesis to solve the problem. All the hypotheses we will define will be detailed and perfectly measured with side-effects.

4. Decision :

From all the hypotheses, we will decide the best solution by analyzing all underlying facts and side-effects.

5. Action :

After choosing the best solution, it's time to work and implement the solution and set-up controls for the solution.

6. Result :

After implementing the solution, we have to regularly manage and check the solution if everything is going fine using the metrics we defined before. If there is something wrong, we have to optimize as we proposed in the hypothesis section.

08 Ways to Improve Problem Solving Skills :

1. Stay Happy, Sing & Dance:

Smiling, singing, and dancing creates a positive impact on neural processing, probably forming new neural pathways to proceed with dopamine-depleted areas in our brain. Mindfulness helps the brain to increase productivity, and that results in better problem-solving. A fresh mind also creates a good vibe around you, which helps others to increase their productivity.

“Your energy is contagious. either you affect people or you infect people.”

2. Combine Physical Exercise & Music :

A study of cardiac rehabilitation patients says that the combination of music and physical exercise may stimulate and enhance cognitive arousal while accommodating to organize the cognitive output. Thus, it can help us solve problems easily and effectively.

"Exercise is the key not only to physical health but to peace of mind." Nelson Mandela

3. Maintain a Personal Diary :

Working out problems by sorting our thoughts on paper and then inspecting them more objectively is easier than having all our thoughts stuck in our head and will provide better problem-solving approaches. Furthermore, a diary is a best friend for this.

"Keep a diary and one day, it will keep you!" - Mae West

4. Solve Puzzles :

Solving puzzles and riddles is a good way to train our brain. It increases thinking skills, creativity, patience, passion and decision making skills which all are essential for problem solving

"Every problem is a new puzzle to be solved!" - Lailah Gifty Akita

5. Make a Distance with the Problem :

Experts have shown that by creating the psychic gap between us and the problem, we will have an improvement in creative solutions. This happens because thinking more abstractly helps us form unnecessary attachments between apparently unrelated concepts, thus allowing our mind to increase its problem-solving ability.

6. Join Sports :

A connection has been discovered between our brain’s executive functions and sports success. When in action, our brains are immediately multitasking between moving, predicting, strategizing, reacting, and performing. Maintaining all these elements at once needs a tremendous amount of brain activity. That all enhances problem-solving skills.

"Sports are a microcosm of society !" - Billie Jean King

7. Join Yoga :

The effectual organisation of body consciousness, breathing, and meditation that is needed during yoga workout has been shown to raise cognitive test scores significantly. A University of Illinois study includes that yoga provides more concise reaction times, better accuracy, and extended attention, all that supports a problem solver to rock.

"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." - The Bhagavad Gita

8. Read, Read and Read :

Reading books is very very necessary for everyone because it develops our thoughts, provides us with endless knowledge and lessons while keeping our minds active. Books can carry all kinds of information, narratives, thoughts and feelings, unlike anything else in this world. Books increase our knowledge, broaden our thoughts and help us to be a great problem solver.

"A house without books is like a room without windows." - Heinrich Mann

Following these tips, anyone can enhance their problem solving skills. Problem solving is a continuous logical process. We need to be creative, logical, patient, generous to come with a great solution. Teamwork is also a great compliment to problem solving. Ten heads working together in an organized way will achieve more success than a single head, for sure.

Companies like to see good problem-solving skills because it also helps to show them the applicant has a range of other competencies such as reasoning, creativity, flexibility, imagination, lateral thinking and determination. It is an essential skill for our professional and personal life.

"Problem solving is hunting. It is savage pleasure and we are born to it." - Thomas Harris