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Problem Solving

How to Solve Problems?

On the surface, problem solving seems like such a simple skill. Don't we all do it every day?

In life, we don't get explicitly taught how to be good at problem solving. This is unfortunate, as having good problem solving skills can really improve your ability to cope with stress and other life demands. Problem solving skills is one of the attributes measured by most of the intelligence tests. Also, the ability to be flexible and to solve problems in an effective way (without getting swept away by your emotions in the face of a challenge), is a key characteristic of emotional intelligence.

The good news is, problem solving skills can be learned. So, if you've never really looked at the nitty gritty of problem solving, here's your chance!

Essentially, problem solving involves seven steps:

Step 1: Do I have a problem?

Knowing when you have a problem is the first step to solving it. Recognising a problem exists relies on your self awareness skills. You need to be able to tune into to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours which tell you that something is up. Identifying a problem in its early stages is most useful, as the problem is usually more manageable at this point. It's better to recognise a conflict with your manager exists before you get fired!

A high level of self awareness is the fundamental skill for emotional intelligence. Self Essentials psychologists and clinical psychologists are experts in teaching people how to develop self awareness, which is useful in every aspect of life.

Self awareness provides us with 'cues' which indicate the presence of a problem. These cues may be thoughts (e.g., thinking that you want to be earning a certain amount of money, but working in a job which pays less than half of what you want), but most often, the first cue is a feeling. Just about any feeling can tell us that a problem exists, but most often the feeling is experienced as some sort of tension or anxiety.

Feelings are a normal part of life, and just because you have a feeling doesn't automatically mean that something is wrong. However, there are some characteristics of feelings which may indicate that there is a problem. These may include:

1. A very intense, strong feeling (e.g., anger with the intensity of "rage").
2. A feeling which is experienced frequently (e.g., feeling insecure whenever you partner goes out with the boys).
3. A feeling that lasts a long time (e.g., feeling frustrated with your best friend for a number of weeks).
4. A feeling which doesn't seem to match up to the situation (e.g., feeling sad or angry at a birthday party).

Cues can also be behavioural - things that you do. Some common behavioural cues which might indicate a problem may include:

1. Unusual or uncharacteristic behaviours - if you notice yourself doing things you don't normally do, this may indicate that a problem exists. For example, if you start slamming your car door, honking the horn at other drivers, or being short or snappy with friends, it's worthwhile taking a closer look at what's going on in your thoughts and feelings.
2. Illegal or socially inappropriate behaviour - for example, driving too fast or driving whilst intoxicated, yelling at people at work, or saying uncharacteristically cruel comments about other people.

Step Two: What is the problem?

Having recognised that there is a problem, the challenge now is to define it in a way that it can be solved. A well defined problem will accurately describe the unmet want and will present the problem in a goal-directed manner.

At this point it is important not to define the problem based on negative or faulty thinking patterns (see the section on thinking about thinking for more on negative thinking). For example, you may define the problem to be "My husband is a slob". This is not really a well defined problem, as it uses negative labels ("slob"), it is a generalisation, and also it is stated in a manner which makes it impossible to solve. A more useful way in which to define the problem may be "My husband does not pick up his towels from the bathroom floor". As you can see, this way of defining the problem is specific, it does not generalise, and it is stated in a way that makes it possible to find a solution.

Think about and discuss your problem or goal carefully then write down exactly what you believe to be the main problem or goal.

Once you have written it down, scrutinise it. Is it a fair assessment of the problem or goal? If so, you can move on to the next step.

Step Three: List all possible solutions

At this point, you need to start focussing on solutions to the identified problem. Too many people, when faced with a problem, stay problem focussed - that it, focussed on the fact that the problem is there, and that it is terrible to have the problem. For example, if your car breaks down, you may say to yourself "Oh no! The car's broken! How did this happen? Why did it happen to me? If only I'd got it serviced on time.." This takes you away from focussing on how to solve the problem.

In order to start thinking of solutions, allow your brain to open up and get creative. At this point, you need to concentrate on generating as many potential solutions to the problem that you can think of. Try to think outside the square. Brainstorm and put down all ideas, even bad ones. List all possible solutions without any evaluation of them at this stage. Don't worry if some of your solutions seem ludicrous or out of the ordinary. We'll evaluate later - now is the time to get your brain practising on how to solve the problem.

Step Four: Discuss each possible solution

Now is the time to start evaluating the solutions you have thought of. Quickly go down the list of possible solutions and assess the main advantages and disadvantages of each one. Some of them may immediately stand out as not useful, others may not be so straightforward. Make sure that when you are assessing the advantages and disadvantages that you focus on both the long term and short term consequences. Both need to be weighed up. Is the short term option really the best one for you?

Step Five: Choose the best or most practical solution

At this point, it's decision time. Choose the solution that can be carried out most easily with your present resources (time, money, skills, etc.). Making a choice to go with one of your solutions can be daunting, especially if you have trouble making decisions. But remember, if this solution doesn't work out, you have the ability to go through the decision making process again.

Step Six: Plan how to carry out the best solution

List the resources needed and the main problems that need to be overcome in order to solve the problem. Practise difficult steps and make notes of information needed.

Resources needed:
Problems to overcome:
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.

Step Seven: Review how well the solution was carried out and praise all efforts.

Revise your plans if necessary. Continue the problem solving process until you have resolved your stress or achieved your goal.

Self Essentials psychologists and clinical psychologists teach problem solving skills in many ways with their clients. If you are interested in learning more about problem solving, or to make an appointment, call Self Essentials on (02) 9555 4810 or send an email to essentials@self.net.au