Seven steps for an effective problem-solving process.
Whether you’re solving a problem for yourself, for your client, or supporting your friend who wants to solve a problem, there are seven essential steps for tackling a problem.
1. Do you really have a problem?
Everything starts in our mind. So before you get stressed, try to relax and reflect. Is it really a problem or just a little obstacle that you can solve quickly without any significant mental effort? Very often we just need a simple and most intuitive solution.
2. Accept there is a problem.
OK, so you found out that the problem really exists. Stop resisting and making some unuseful assumptions about it. It just exists and that is it. It is still OK to feel little down about it but HEY! you are not alone. Use the energy that made the problem looked bigger than it was to jump in the next step.
3. Defining the problem.
“A perfect formulation of a problem is already half its solution.”
Formulation methods depend on the nature of the problem. There are several methods for defining your problem.
Firstly, you should write a simple statement about your problem. For example, “I am not productive at work.” There you go. Following that, you should specify more details about the problem. That brings more clarity to the problem at hand. “My work is not as effective as I want”.
Another step would be rephrasing the problem statement, rewording it several times. “There are no results from my efforts”, “I can’t focus while working on my projects”.
You can also take single words and substitute them, and see how your perception of the problem changes. A rich vocabulary plays an important role here, so I recommend to use a thesaurus.
“The quality of the solutions we come up with will be in direct proportion to the quality of the description of the problem we’re trying to solve.”
4. Get the perspective
Before rushing to solve a problem, always make sure you look at it from different perspectives. Looking at it with different eyes is a great way to have instant insight into new, overlooked directions. Whatever the problem is, why not express it in words to someone who isn’t an expert in the field in terms they can understand. Tell your colleague:
- What is the problem to be solved?
- What is the question to be answered?
- What does a simple solution look like?
- What are the characteristics of a good solution?
Explaining the problem to a non-expert helps to clarify your thinking.
5. Break the problem down into smaller pieces
If you find the problem overwhelming or daunting, to decrease anxiety and think more clearly break the problem down. ‘Chunking the problem down’ is really useful when identifying the different parts it consists of. Then figure out one practical solution you can take for each of those parts. Let’s use the previous example as a bigger problem.
“I am not productive at work.” — bigger problem.
- I don't have enough sleep. — Track your sleeping hours.
- The environment I work in is not motivating. — Ask for remote work at least once a week.
- I don't have enough compensation for my work. — Consider potential promotion.
- I am stressed at work. —See what stresses me.
They may not solve the whole problem immediately. But focusing on those small solutions can get you started and might solve a few pieces of it.
6. Ask for help if you need
You can ask people around for advice on what to do. Would be great if you could find a person with a similar issue and ask what he/she did in similar situations. If you don’t know anybody from your circle, don’t panic! Facebook Groups, Reddit and online forums are places where you can connect with people around the globe that you don’t know personally. If you just ask you may find that people will often be willing to help you out.
People love to help, trust me!
Also, you can ask for more practical help. You don’t have to solve every problem on your own. If you feel that your problem is overwhelming, sometimes it is better to have someone more professional by your side. So why not hire a coach? The personal benefits of coaching are as wide-ranging as the individuals involved but if you find the right coach, you will figure out the right solutions.
7. What lesson did you learn? Find the opportunity in the problem.
Finally, you did it! You solved your problem. What is the next step? Before forgetting about it, reflect a little. Finding more positive part of the problem reduces its negative emotional impact. It may even teach you to see the situation as a great opportunity. The obstacle is the way! Ask yourself:
- What can I learn from this?
- What hidden opportunity can I find within this problem?
And remember:
- Constraints Make Your More Resourceful
- Constraints Make You Take Actions
- Constraints Improve our Emotional Intelligence, Independence and Resilience.
Do you agree?
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