Problem Solving Personality

 

Imagine what life would be like if you could solve all your problems. Wouldn't that be exciting?
I don't mean that you would never have problems; rather, I mean that when problems do occur, as they inevitably will, then you could more easily and more rapidly solve them. The truth is, you could make this idealized image a reality. You could specialize in becoming an expert problems solver.

How could you become a more expert problem solver?

You can be a problem solver by taking the following steps.

1. Take Personal Initiative

When problems occur, decide to take personal initiative to solve problems; as opposed to getting upset angry or overwhelmed. Many peoples immediate response to a problem is an emotional one: most people become upset, angry, demoralized and overwhelmed. That makes the problem feel worse than it really is, and it makes you feel that the problem is intractable. 

Recognize that all problems have causes and most causes have possible solutions. Problems are not retribution from god. Problems are not the result of providence. Problems are not proof of your tendency to attract bad luck. You have not been especially selected by Infinite intelligence to suffer for your sins. No!!!

Problems have causes. Everything that happens has causes. The law of cause and effect is in operation at all times and in all places and it applies equally to all people. If you have got problems, then, you can be certain that, there are definite causes.

2. Note the following. All problems have multiple causes

All problems have MULTIPLE causes. One reason why people fail to understand the cause of the problems is that they don't realise that all problems have multiple causes. Many people have the (unconscious) thought that every problem has a cause. (Meaning: each problem has a single cause). I.e. Each problem has one cause. 

This leads people to commit the "One cause fallacy". They try to find THE (one) cause for their problem, and they can't find it. And because they cannot find the (one) cause for their problem, they are mystified. They "can't see why it is happening". You hear people saying, "I have this problem and I can't find out why it is happening." They can't see the cause because they are looking for monster that does not exist.

3. Analyse the situation to find the causal network

Please remember the following sentence:

All things are composed of a greater number of smaller parts.

All things are composed of a greater number of smaller parts and each component part is itself made up of an even greater number of smaller parts.

The really interesting thing is this:

Your problem is composed of multiple smaller "causal problems" and each of those is, itself, made up of an even greater number of even smaller parts.

4. All causes suggest possible countermeasure solutions

Please remember that every cause that you identify, suggests to you a possible counter-measure solution to the original problem. If you interrupt a cause, then its effect, (which is manifesting itself as problem X) will stop.

If you interrupt or stop enough causes, then "Problem X" will disappear and you will have solved the problem.

Any time you have a problem: grab a pencil and a large pad and draw out a shape. Label it.

Name the problem and write it down as problem X. Then proceed with the first level analysis of causes. Then figure out why the first level causes are happening, and write down the results as your second level analysis of causes. Then for each second level cause start writing out what you could do, practically to interrupt the causes. If you can find 12 solutions to your problem, then, when you enact only some of them, you will find that problem X disappears.

Let me give you an exercise

Try this and see how it works.

Problem X is "I don't have enough time to do everything I need to do".
Please do the analysis of this common problem so that you get the hang of it.