How to become a natural problem solver

Subhashis Banerji
Sep 4, 2018 · 4 min read

Become a great problem solver

The greatest problem solvers are the people, who have less stress, better relationships and they achieve far more than the people who get bogged down by the life’s challenges.

The world’s greatest leaders and achievers are utmost problem solvers.

Problem solving is a life-saving skill, that becomes better and better, when we proactively seek-out the challenges plus risks and work towards solving them, by unconventional means, maybe failing many times before we reach, what is referred as “having arrived” status.

Almost all of us, gets shaken-up in life, in many ways and many times — financially, relationship-wise, health-wise, professionally and so on.

On few occasions, all these would happen simultaneously, proving Murphy’s law through its all corollaries. We feel upset, frustrated, let down, irritated, angry etc.

But if we can create an attitude and mindset of looking at the challenges and problems — by focusing on the following, I can guarantee you a life filled with deep contentment, happiness, success, wonderful relationships, and feelings of bliss of living a meaningful, powerful and worthy life

1. With the perspective of constantly asking what all, can I do to overcome this. What is within my area of control in seemingly impossible situation

2. Asking regularly, how can I make my life qualitatively better

3. What can I do differently, what can I start doing, what can I stop doing, what can I change

4. Thinking objectively, to find what roles we have played to bring this challenge, and then going in correcting the same

5. Thinking and looking at the situation from multiple angles, to understand the situation better

6. To look for maximum number of alternative explanations, to define the situation by reframing it in both negative and positive connotations

7. And then focusing on exploring the various ways this problem can be solved effectively, by finding as many solutions

8. Learning to equip ourselves with the skills that would help us solve the problems better next time

9. Then being involved in implementing, monitoring and improvising the solutions till accomplish our goals

10. Seeking help, in case we are paralyzed and totally overwhelmed by the situation

Sometimes we are stuck because of a minor challenge, which is preventing us from solving a major problem of our life and hence stopping us from achieving something huge.

Then solving that challenge first, has to be our first priority.

Myths about Problem Solving

1. It is natural gift, we are born with it

2. Only certain people in certain professions are creative

3. You need to take big risks

4. The complex problems have complex solution

5. You need special qualifications and background to be a problem solver

6. As a problem solver you need to be right all the time

Phil Knight, founder of Nike, started selling shoes out of the trunk of his car in 1964 but kept his day job as an accountant until 1969.

The barriers to problem solving

1. Accepting the solution that comes to mind first or we feel strongly about or our conscious mind is pushing us to do something in a particular way

2. Accepting the set processes or default options without evaluating the other possibilities

3. Not balancing the risk

4. Not trying out new ideas, in favor of the established ones, for the fear of failure

5. Not able to accept that mistakes would happen, and playing safe to avoid being ridiculed by others

6. Paying more attention to what others are suggesting, rather than listening to your instincts

7. Trying to be someone else, who may have totally different mind-set, skills and perspective

8. Do not feel comfortable to challenge the status quo and feeling insecure for GOING AGAINST THE tide

Now almost immortal, Seinfeld script was almost rejected by the studio executives. It was too unconventional.

How to inculcate problem solving attitude in us* please read my various blogs on creativity, problem solving, sharpening your mind, skills to learn, handling difficult situation, common sense, giving your 100% etc. ALL THE *MARKED ONES HAVE SEPAARTE DIY ARTICLES IN THE “FROM THE HEART OF SUBHASHIS” IN https://successunlimited-mantra.com/ AND FOR RELATIONSHIP ISSUES IN http://relationshipandhappiness.com/

1. Developing thick skin towards what others would say

2. Developing an attitude of pro-actively seeking the fun in going for uncertainty*

3. Enjoying experimenting with whatever ideas you feel would work, the failing and improvising till succeeding*

4. Before attempting anything new, learning what skills, knowledge, exposure you need to have, before you can attempt anything new, then learning the same

5. Identifying what actions are within you’re your current capabilities — for full article https://successunlimited-mantra.com/index.php/blog/ways-to-improve-your-problem-solving-skills

Subhashis Banerji

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