The word problem has been derived from a Greek word, ‘problema’ which means something thrown at you. The derivation makes so much sense because problems turn up when you least expect them. There will always be problems to resolve in life. It would be wonderful to solve all problems effectively and promptly without hardships; however, there is no one way to solve all problems. Thus having problem-solving skills can help you in the real world, developing them as a muscle and building on them through regular practice can do wonders.
Here is a list of problem-solving skills that will make you the master of all solutions.
- Professional sniffing – You must be a pro sniffer who can diagnose the situation from a mile away. This ensures that your attention is drawn to the problem rather than its symptoms. One must comprehend the context and the root cause of the problem. The size of the problem may initially intimidate you, which is why breaking it down into smaller chunks can help.
- Solution Generator – Once you’ve identified the problem, you should devise a number of solutions, taking into account both the best and worst-case scenarios, and short-term and long-term goals. The idea is to keep an open mind, no matter what. Practice something called blue sky thinking wherein there are no limits, judgments or consequences, the sky is literally the limit.
- Star Analyzer – The developed solutions must be critically evaluated. You must choose the most effective and efficient solutions to the problem. One does not become a star analyst overnight; there is some trial and error involved. The solution you choose must be rational in light of the problem’s complexity.
- Being a decisive individual – When presented with a large number of possible solutions, someone who is decisive can easily make a decision. Making a timely decision can complicate or solve the problem in a variety of ways. A decisive individual’s sense of clarity and confidence can be inspiring and powerful. A decisive individual can push through problems and find the light at the end of the tunnel.
- Active listening – Individuals often don’t look for answers but want someone to listen to them. However,problems can sometimes be solved unexpectedly if you choose to hear someone out and listen to what they have to say. Every person has unique experiences that can be extremely beneficial because not every problem looks the same. Active listening empowers individuals to make informed decisions that are also vetted by other people which makes you feel confident about the solution.
The skills listed above will assist you in determining what is the best solution to the problem. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for lessons that can help you improve your problem-solving abilities. This could be useful in developing more productive, smarter, and elegant solutions making you a problem-solving wizard. This problem-solving wizard will now solve problems with the woosh of his/her wand in no time.
