I am problem-solving
Not a Maths one though
Happy Monday, dearest reader. First of all, thank you for being a part of Heal & Bloom. You have no idea how much I love, appreciate and cherish your presence here.
Having my thoughts and insights being read by you means the world to me.
Today, I’m going to be writing and guiding you on problem solving.
Coz life is filled with problems. Isn’t it?
Relationship problems. Sleep problems. Health problems. Career problems. Problems. Problems and more problems.
As humans we are creative beings and problem solvers.
It makes us who we are and connects us to our true nature.
When we are solving a problem and are engrossed in it we feel the thrill, confusion, pain, joy and many different emotions.
Now don’t get me started on how sometimes we even end up creating problems even when we don’t need to.
Because we do and it’s not fun!
Now, pause…..take a deep breathe 🧘♀️
And tell me, what are you struggling with recently? What problem/problems are you trying to solve?
What obstacle are you trying to overcome?
What challenges you are trying to conquer? Probably plenty.
I don’t know, what problem you are struggling with recently?
But what I do know is there is at least one.
And today I’m gonna give you strategies and insights on problem solving coz again this is something in my Masters psych syllabus, hehe
To be a problem solver, you need to go through 4 stages:
Recognising and defining problem
Analysing and finding possible solution
Choosing the best solution
Implementing the solution
Now, you might be wondering why am I telling you this when it’s so basic and natural to human beings.
We all know how to solve problems. We are so capable.
I know, I know that you are. There is no doubt in that.
But sometimes we as humans get caught up in the stage 2 or 3 of problem solving instead of solving them fast and with ease.
Like my mother for example, whenever she faces a problem she gets caught up in the analysing stage and me on the other hand just want to get to solution fast.
She likes the analysis stage more while I enjoy the action/result part.
This isn’t to say my way or her way of problem solving is better. Just that we are different.
And maybe her spending more time in analysis stage helps make better and thoughtful decisions.
As humans we all are different.
So let’s get into a bit detail:
Stage 1: Recognising and defining the problem
Obviously before taking any action you need to ensure a problem exists.
So the first step is recognition then giving it a label or tentative definition.
Stage 2: Analysing and finding possible solution
My mom’s favourite stage.
Analysing the problem involves identifying and collecting the relevant information and representing it in a meaningful way. My mom always does it when she comes up with a problem. She even proposes alternative ideas and solutions to each family members.
Ngl, sometimes I find it annoying because like I said I’m more fixated on the solving phase than analysis one.
Stage 3: Choosing the best solution
After analysis you move to solutions. You either come up with your own ideas or ask from others.
This is the third stage that I and my mom both often get stuck in and maybe spend more time here than we need to.
Because of the many alternatives, we question our decisions
Still I’m more quick than her here.
And then we finally move to implementation
Stage 4: Implementation of possible solutions
When you have discovered possible solutions you go with your chosen one and implement it in your life/business.
Implementation is my favourite stage. I’m an action taker. Just wanna get done with things fast.
Sometimes through panic. Sometimes in peace. But I love action and implementation
Obstacles in problem solving
Let’s now discuss the obstacles we as humans like my mom and me face in problem solving
Assumptions:
Humans are creative beings always assuming things. Which is good. Assumption is useful data but sometimes assumptions can stop people getting desired results.
Fixation
If you solved problem in a particular way in the past it can be that in the future you end up getting fixated on it and believing this is the only right way of it being solved.
You can get fixated.
Functional fixedness
It concerns the solution of object use problem. If you ever solved a problem in a particular way then you would get fixated on solving it in the same way.
You may not look for newer options.
So always stay curious friends!
That’s about today’s newsletter 📰 and stages and obstacles to problem solving.
Hope you enjoyed reading our today’s newsletter. I know you already know how to problem solve.
See you next week with a new newsletter. 🗞
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