Guest Post: 11 Ways to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

One of the most important and relevant skills one can possess is problem-solving. With the job market developing at such a fast pace, individuals must show their best qualities when applying for new positions. Problem-solving is an essential feature to have, since it shows wittiness, quickness, and cleverness.

But it’s not only about “what’s being displayed”– problem-solving is an important quality to have for many other reasons. Making smart life decisions will put you on the right track, structuring your thoughts will help you organize, and looking for different solutions will open your eyes to the wideness of the world.

We put up a list of tips on how to improve your problem-solving skills. Take a look, and give it a try!

Find the Right Definition

First, take time to define the problem. Ask yourself:

·       What is the real problem here?

·       Why am I referring to it as a problem?

·       Are there any erroneous assumptions that I could be making?

·       Is the problem commonly perceived, or am I the only one bothered by it?

·       Do I have to solve it immediately? If so, how?

Find the Cause, Not the Symptom

Now, find the cause of the problem, the “root of all evils.” Don’t be too concerned about the symptoms. Analyze the problem thoroughly, and be opened to new perspectives. Always ask yourself “why.”

For example, “Mediating the conflict between two of my co-workers is important.” Why? “Because conflicts within the workplace are not healthy for anybody in the firm.” Why? “Because it brings in tension, and makes us lose productivity.” Why is that bad? And keep going! Understanding the cause of the problem is critical.

Come Up with Ideas

Brainstorm ideas. Don’t choose the first solution the comes into your mind.  What if you could find a better one? Take time to consider everything carefully.

·       Be creative when brainstorming.

·       Think outside the box, go deeper than the surface!

·       Keep your decision-making process rational.

·       Remember that there’s always a way out. You just have to find it.

Know Your Limits

Know when to solve a problem, and when to let go of it. Know when to speak up, and when to stay quiet. Sometimes, even if a problem seems crucial to us, it might be trivial to others. Before categorizing something as a “problem,” come up with specific reasons and arguments to support your claim.

Gather Evidence

After you identify a problem, and find the cause of it, gather evidence and information. They will help you find the right solutions. Try to keep emotions out of it. Compare the solutions you found with your former outcomes, and choose an approach.

Make the Decision

Don’t waste too much time after finding the solution. The faster, the better. Avoid procrastination, act on the problem immediately after figuring out the response. If you are lost in the process, always remember why you started in the first place. That leads us to the next point.

Keep Yourself Accountable

Set deadlines and goals! Keep yourself accountable, and constantly remember yourself why you are doing this.

·       Why are you interested in solving the problem?

·       What will you get out of it?

·       How is that important in your life?

·       Why did you choose that specific goal?

·       How quickly do you plan on solving it and why?

Redefine Problem

There will be times when you’ll find no answers to the questions, and no solutions to the problems. Don’t freak out! We’ve all been through that. It’s part of the process too. Reanalyze your definition, and give it another try.

Write and Meditate

Composure is essential when presented with any problem. Instead of panicking and asking yourself “Am I ever going to get out of this?”, reflect on the issue and understand it thoroughly. Sometimes, we are distracted by the importance of the problem, so we fail to notice that the solution lays in front of our eyes. A good way of “letting your mind breathe” is through writing and meditating. Take at least 5 minutes per day to do it.

One of the coping mechanism that can be used is meditation. Making life-changing decisions and finding solutions brings in lots of tension. Meditation relieves so much of the pressure, and makes you think straight again.

Stay Healthy

You won’t be able to think properly unless you are healthy,both mentally and physically. Therefore:

·       Sleep well. Even one night of sleep loss can affect your productivity level.

·       Eat well. Give up on fast-foods! Eat clean. Avoid fats, sugars, and meat.

Get Rid of Emotions

Before solving a problem, it is essential to get rid of all personal emotions. Distance yourself from the matter, and look at things as objectively as you can.

·       Accept your past failures, don’t be concerned about making mistakes.

·       Don’t sugarcoat your desires. If you want something out of a specific situation, admit it.

·       Be honest with yourself. Know what you want, and what your fear. Confront your anxieties.

Conclusion

Solving problems is crucial. Make sure you go through all the above processes before making the right decision. Don’t dive into the issue unless you’ve spent some time reflecting on it. Be sure you identify the problem accurately, and always consider relevant external opinions.  

About the Author: Chris Richardson is a journalist, editor at EssayGeeks.co.uk. He loves to write, learn new things, and meet new outgoing people. Chris is also fond of traveling, sports, and playing the guitar. Follow him on Google+.