Finding solutions to problems
Everyone has problems. They seem to be part of life. We may be tempted to see them as something always bad. We feel guilty and see ourselves as failures. We need to have the courage, determination, and freedom to see problems in another light. We can view problems as challenges given creativity and resolve that open our lives to new possibilities.
Here are some examples of problems just to list a few. Our family doesn't understand, or appreciate our wishes or the decisions we make. We have difficulty agreeing with our friends. Our support staff doesn't listen to us. Our job is boring and doesn't pay well. We don't get to go out and do fun activities.
There are several types of problems. There are times we can't put our finger on it, but we just deep down know there is something wrong. There are other times, we know there is something wrong, but we don't know what to do. Then there are times, we know how to solve a problem or reach a goal but we simply lack the time, money or other resources to do what we want. Finally solutions that worked in the past don't seem to work any more.
Here is a method that may help us solve the problems we face.
- Identify the problem that we are facing. We need to ask ourselves is it really our problem. How important is it to us? Does it demand an immediate response or do we have time to respond to it?
- Explore the choices that are open to us to solve the problem.
- Gather information regarding the choices. Determine the costs and benefits, and the consequences of our choices.
- Select the best choice to solve our problem.
- Develop an action plan to solve the problem.
- Put the plan into action and follow through with commitment and resolve.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution. Sometimes we pick solutions that don't work. Other times the solution works some of the time but not always. Sometimes the solution work so well that we want to use it again.
With a positive attitude and a method to solving problems, problems can be a springboard to our dreams.
