What's the best methods for solving any problems in life

Problem-solving is the process of identifying stressors and creating strategies to manage them. It's a powerful tool to add to your stress management toolbox. You can brush up on your problem-solving skills with these simple steps. Like any skill, the more you practice the more effective you'll be. It's important to understand a problem before you can successfully solve it. Take time to analyze the problem. Write down a brief description of the problem you want to solve. Then ask yourself these questions: What is happening? Where and when is it happening? Is it happening around certain people or in specific situations? How do you feel about it? What can you do about the situation?

Be specific and focus on issues. Try to avoid assigning blame. Now take a step back. Consider these questions to determine if the problem deserves the time you'll spend resolving it:

Is the problem really that big? Would others think so? Are you making a big deal out of something that is relatively trivial? Will this problem matter in two years? If you could solve this problem, would your life improve? Is there any part of the problem over which you have control? You can't change everything, so it's best to focus on issues you can realistically change and that will make a real difference in your level of stress. In other words: “Choose your battles.”

Now that you have a well-defined problem, it's time to think about solutions. Think of all the ways in which you might solve your problem. The sky's the limit. Now isn't the time to judge whether one solution is better than another. Not sure where to begin? Try these tips:

Sometimes, it is not enough to just cope with the problems – they need to be solved. Most people engage in problem solving every day. It occurs automatically for many of the small decisions that need to be made on a daily basis. For example, when making a decision about whether to get up now or sleep in for an extra 10 minutes, the possible choices and the relative risks and benefits of obeying the alarm clock or sleeping later come automatically to mind. Larger problems are addressed in a similar way. For example: “I have tasks that need to be done by the end of the week. How am I going to get them all done on time?”

After considering the possible strategies, one is chosen and implemented. If it proves to be ineffective, a different strategy is tried. People who can define problems, consider options, make choices, and implement a plan have all the basic skills required for effective problem solving. Sometimes following a step-by-step procedure for defining problems, generating solutions, and implementing solutions can make the process of problem solving seem less overwhelming. Six step guide to help you solve problems:

1_ Identify and define the problem,

State the problem as clearly as possible. For example: “I don’t have enough money to pay the bills.”

Be specific about the behaviour, situation, timing, and circumstances that make it a problem. For example: “I need to pay the phone and gas bills, and I don’t have enough money to cover both this month.

2_ Generate possible solutions,

List all the possible solutions; don’t worry about the quality of the solutions at this stage.

Try to list at least 15 solutions, be creative and forget about the quality of the solution.

If you allow yourself to be creative you may come up with some solutions that you would not otherwise have thought about.

3_ Evaluate alternatives,

The next step is to go through and eliminate less desirable or unreasonable solutions.

Order the remaining solutions in order of preference.

Evaluate the remaining solutions in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.

4_ Decide on a solution,

Specify who will take action.

Specify how the solution will be implemented.

Specify when the solution will be implemented. For example: tomorrow morning, phone the gas company and negotiate to pay the gas bill next month..

5_ Implement the solution,

Implement the solution as planned.

6_ Evaluate the outcome,

Evaluate how effective the solution was.

Decide whether the existing plan needs to be revised, or whether a new plan is needed to better address the problem. If you are not pleased with the outcome, return to step 2 to select a new solution or revise the existing solution, and repeat the remaining steps. Problem solving is something we do every day. Some problems are small or easily solved - others are more complicated and can seem overwhelming. One way of tackling problems is to use a specific and systematic problem solving procedure. If you’ve tried to solve certain problems without much success, try these steps out and see if they help. Learning to solve problems effectively will help you to minimise the level of stress in your life and improve your overall sense of well-being.

Try it out and see,

Thank you for staying with me,

Best regards,

Elias S.