verissima

To Live is to Have Problems and to Solve Problems Means Growing Intellectually

To live, is to have problems and to “solve problems” is to grow intellectually,” quoted J. P. Guilford.

In other words, we all run into or face problems sometime, or the other. Problems can be work related, or personal problems and it can be said that one man’s solution to a problem could turn to be another’s nightmare. This is because according to Guilford’s “Structure of Intellect” (SI) theory, an individual’s performance on intelligence tests can be traced back to the underlying mental abilities, or factors of intelligence.

Personal Problem

About five years ago, I became handicapped and this put me in a catch-22 situation. Here I was all set to go out for any little excuse but for some reason or the other, I just couldn’t get myself to doing it. It was absolute misery and it wasn’t a surprise when things spiraled quickly out of control. I managed to alienate myself from most of my friends and family and infact did a good job of it. It was then the computer and the net came to my rescue. It’s funny which how much you can do with this machine. There is enormous potential out there for mothers based at home who can work out wonders with this machine and the net and this applies to men working from home as well

Since then, it became a full time relationship with the computer and net and the question of doing another job did not even arise. Now, the subject question here is; whenever you ever run into such serious problems, what are the methods or processes that have been adopted in resolving it.

Sometimes, the problems resolve itself like in my case, and all it required was some time. In other words, it did not require any outside help, such as a shrink to resolve it. Ofcourse, I did visit a shrink but that’s another story and we’ll leave that for a rainy day

I say this because when you encounter problems and tend to ignore them, they just disappear. It gives you the feeling that when you tend to ignore them, they just solve itself. It’s magical, solutions emerge from nowhere. In fact, this method made me more relaxed and I refused to view problems as they are. Instead I only view them as solutions that have encountered a minor setback or delay.

Theoretically, majority of the problems resolve themselves in the long run. All that remains are the worry and tension that it caused. In a time based scenario, the only “problem” is that we don’t know when the so-called problem would be resolved and the time-period could cause quite a bit of misery.

So let’s assume as per the subject topic we have run into a generic problem that need solutions. A problem as such cannot be described, as it must be remembered that no problem can exist in the absence of an objective. That is to say, we need to know exactly where we want to arrive so that we can properly determine our track, as well as direction.

In his lateral thinking theory, DeBono stressed the importance of “looking at a problem with a fresh perspective”. In other words, knowing our direction is an important aspect in problem solving.

Now, the first thing when I encounter a problem is change or restructure my way of thinking. For this I need sleep. By sleep, I mean a sound sleep. The sleep gives me a relaxed mind, and makes problem-solving far easier, instead of purely relying on intuition. After a sound sleep, your approach to solve the problem becomes more systematic, more balanced and logical. Starting from that point it becomes easier to see what lies in front of you.

The SIX Processes

After the sleep, it is better to split the problem into smaller problems and begin solving it step by step. It is realistic when you do this and write the processes down, as you would very soon begin to see the possible solutions that underlie within each problem. That is to say, in order to resolve problems effectively one has to understand the whole process and their role in making the problems work. And as we live in a talking culture, it is imperative that we put these things in writing. This procedure helps you identify the best solution embedded within each problem

After writing it down, the next step in our hypothetical problem is to identify pain points, if any, and identify the connections between the connecting pain points. This would help me understand the problem better and then take on the objectives and translate them into structured programs. Then I could evaluate which solution has the most advantages, and further break down these solutions into different stages, while at the same time conduct a SWOT analysis between solutions.

Thirdly, I will reflect on the possible solutions while consulting friends and relatives, and then conduct a strategic analysis and begin to tailor solutions according to feedback and sentiments. This would eventually result in deeper penetration and a larger perception of the whole problem

Stage number four is to evaluate all possible solutions, i.e., reviewing the problem point by point, while analyzing the pros and cons of each solution. The next step or stage number five is when I implement the decision. Last of all, stage number six is post-decision justification or evaluation of the outcome. Ofcourse this also means the implementation of any follow-up actions required.

Now the question is what have all these so called stages to do with my personal situation. Although, I applied all these processes, none of these methods were adopted in my case as the solution to my problem turned out to be time and patience. It was just out of frustration I started toying with the computer, and which eventually materialized in to a hobby and subsequently into a job. It is only when you encounter or run into problems, only then, these so called strategies materialize. In other words, it is only when you start visualizing the problem mathematically, you begin to analyze what the problem really is, and start approaching it in an organized and logical manner. Then the whole problem becomes easier to solve.

Conclusion

It is only when you start visualizing the problem mathematically, you begin to analyze what the problem really is and start approaching it in an organized and logical manner. Then the whole problem becomes easier to solve.

Don’t ever make the mistake of making the problem bigger than it is, as any solution appears to be good, and the actual problem is only as big as you perceive it to be. You should always visualize that you are “bigger” than the problem itself. This gives it a positive outlook, which definitely counts in solving problems in the long run. Finally, never give up whatever the problem may be. Just stick in there. You will soon find a solution. Remember, it is just that problems help you to enhance your ability to live happily.

Once you solve a problem, the feeling and satisfaction of solving it is so great that explaining it has just no words. In Living a Life That Matters, Harold S. Kushner (the Massachusetts rabbi whose best selling books include When Bad Things Happen to Good People) suggests that the most successful lives are the ones that most effectively manage and “solve their problems”.

 

Related Problem Articles

Aaa Problem Containment Formula

You must adopt a positive habit for dealing with all problems in your life.

Everyone has day to day problems, this is an undeniable fact of life. However, it is how you tackle those problems, and the way you deal with them – which will ultimately see you either succeed or fail in life’s endeavours.

The choice is yours, and you have two easy options to choose from –

1. You can choose to deal with your problems with a positive mindset

2. or you can choose to deal with them with a negative mindset.

The choices are simple yet the solution to a successful life eludes most. The reason it eludes people is because they choose to deal with their problems with a negative mindset. In doing so they become bogged down by each and every problem, until the multitude of unresolved problems become all too much to handle – and they are forced to give up.

In an effort to help those who continually deal with their problems with a negative mindset – we have come up with a simple 3 step process called – The AAA Formula.

Step One:- Acknowledge the Problem

Acknowledge that the problem exists. Many people don’t ever reach this first step, and instead they avoid the problem and choose to bury their head in the sand. They simply hope that the issue will quietly go away with absolutely no effort on their part. In most cases, the problem remains and never gets addressed, consequently becoming larger, and more detrimental over time.

So acknowledge that the problem exists. Once the problem has been acknowledged and it is recognised, you can readily move onto the second step.

Step Two:- Assess the Problem

This might sound simple enough but it is important to assess the problem using a positive mindset. With a positive mindset, answers and solutions will come readily to you, and at times, the problem will seem to work itself out. This is possible because you are viewing the problem with the correct mindset and are attaching a positive flow to the process.

If solutions are not readily forthcoming, then you can roadmap the dilemma. You can do this by writing the problem down on the centre of the page and drawing a box around it. Proceed to draw lines out from the box, where you can write possible solutions down.

You might even find it necessary to draw more lines off of the solutions as you process and assess the options you have available to you in rectifying the problem at hand.

The most important part of this process is you have chosen to focus on the possible solutions as opposed to focusing on the problem. You have forced your attention away from the problem.

People who deal with their problems with a negative mindset will tend to focus on the problem itself (see diagram). In doing so they mentally magnify the problem into a larger one. The cycle of further magnification happens, as they focus further on the problem, rather than looking for a solution. The problem in their mind, ultimately becomes too big to control.

The third and most importantly step to take is to action the solution.

Step Three:- Action the Solution

Having the solution to any of your problems will not help you – unless you action it.

In a business environment, an example of a solution not being actioned is when a business suffers from a cashflow problem. The solutions at hand could be varied, from reducing overheads to ensuring account customers funds are collected quicker. Just having a solution to fix your cash flow problem wont fix the problem unless you action it.

Once solutions are actioned, the result is a containment of the problem and you are returned back to the Acknowledgement step. This is where you acknowledge that the problem has been fixed, and if so it completes the cycle. If the problem needs to be addressed further you follow the steps again until the problem has been completely fixed and contained.

In this way, the problem never becomes bigger because it has been contained and dealt with. Furthermore, these little blocks of containment will build your stepping stones toward a strong foundation for personal and business growth.

However, on the other end of the spectrum, uncontained problems will simply swell and grow around you, until eventually they engulf you entirely. It is a sad fact that a large percentage of the population will always choose to deal and address a problem using a negative mindset.

So, while they might reach the Acknowledge stage of the equation, because of their negative mindset, they take a far different path than the positive thinking person. That path will lead them through a cycle of reviewing the problem, which will consistently magnify at each pass, so that it becomes an impossible to solve issue in their mind. As the cycle continues to grow, the problem increasingly becomes bigger and bigger until, eventually, it overwhelms them completely.

The only way to break the cycle is for them to actually choose to challenge the problem with a positive mindset.

It is never too late to follow the positive mindset path to Assess the problem. The choice just needs to be made and then the path followed.

Murs Presents His New Music Video For His Track “The Problem Is” In Collaboration With 9th Wonder, Sick Jacken And Uncle Chucc. Make Sure To Check Out His New Upcoming Cd “Fornever” With 9th Wonder Releasing March 30th! Make Sure To Support And Buy It!! SUBSCRIBE
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