DESCRIPTION OF INTERACTIVE
1. Have a positive outlook. The first thing you should do when faced with a difficult problem is to start with a positive outlook. Sometimes our first reaction is to fear uncertainty and that’s natural. It can be difficult, but try not to fear the problem itself. Look at it as an opportunity to learn something new. Do you generally find you are a positive person? Or is this an area you could work on setting goals for improving?
2. Ask questions to understand the problem. A lot of the time we avoid asking questions out offear of looking stupid. Before you can solve a problem you must first understand it. If there’s something you don’t understand, ask as many questions as you need. Ask what, where, who, why, when, and how. Write the problem down, draw diagrams, create lists and plans, etc. How comfortable are you getting clarification for things you do not understand?
3. Be open-minded. The way you have done things in the past may not always work for all situations. In life, there are often many solutions to a given problem. Some are more effective than others. Some are more appropriate than others. When faced with a difficult problem, do not assume you know the answer from the start. Don't jump to conclusions. Stop for a second and take time to understand what the problem or question is truly about before applying a solution or answer. Be open to all possibilities. Are you able to consider opinions or solutions to problems that are different from your own?
4. Take bite-sized chunks. Would you eat a whole pizza in one mouthful? Probably not. Similarly, some problems are simply too big to chew all at once. A useful technique for solving complex problems is breaking them down until each piece becomes manageable. Once you have a set of manageable pieces, solve each individually. When a problem is broken into bite-sized chunks, it is easier to see the techniques you need to apply and the actions that need to take place. When faced with a challenge, do you break it down to smaller, more workable tasks?
5. Think logically. When faced with a problem, having an action plan and identifying what needs to be done is crucial. The plan is a good reminder of what and when things need to happen, as well as a communication tool for all the people involved. Creating a plan requires that you think through all the issues logically and identify all the relevant issues and constraints. Keep your emotions in check. Emotions or stress can sometimes affect our thinking and judgment. Try not to let these cloud your mind. Are you able to make rational decisions and look at problems from all angles?
6. Focus on the end game. Problem solving is about getting from one point to another. Sometimes getting from the starting point to the end goal is not as obvious and in many ways, is like navigating using a map – we can either trace a path from where we are to where we want to go, or we can start from the destination and work backwards. In many cases, it is more useful to focus on the end goal and then work backwards. When tackling a project, do you plan with the end in mind?
7. If you don't find success, start over. Problems and obstacles are not always solved on the first try, or second or third try. You can step back and restart. Solutions can evolve and improve. Mistakes happen and sometimes in order to find the best solution to a given problem, we have to go through some bad solutions first. Mistakes are okay so don’t get discouraged or frustrated, try and learn from them. Use the mistakes as stepping stones to get to the desired solution. Are you able to work consistently without giving up?