Problem solving

"Worrying is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but won't get you anywhere"

Problem Solving involves using methods to solve problems or find solutions. Problem Solving is a handy skill to have, perhaps a valuable life skill that may be developed over time. Different people use different skills/methods to develop solutions to whatever is troubling them.

While some problems are easily sorted, others aren't so straightforward. Part of resilience involves working out how to solve problems, and, if they cannot be solved, formulating coping strategies to deal with those issues.

Reachout.com provides a step by step suggested method on Problem Solving:

Step 1. Define the problem. What is it? Can you work out the details of the problem? Many problems may appear as one big issue however when you look closer you may find that one big problem is made up of many smaller problems that can be dealt with much more easily than first perceived.Work on small parts of a "big problem" individually.

Step 2. Set Goals. Make relevant and realistic goals that you know will help in solving the problem.

Step 3. Brainstorm many possible solutions. Be creative and spend some time coming up with as many options as possible.

Step 4: Be aware of poor options and rule them out. Look over your list of ideas and remove the ones that seem unhelpful.

Step 5. What are the consequences? Go through the different options you have selected and write a list of positive and negative things about each.

Step 6. Make a decision. Which solutions are most practical? Is one solution your best option or many? Pick the best solutions out even if there is only one stand out option.

Step 7. Act on your plan! Try out your solutions, put them into practice.

Step 8. How did it go? Review what happened when you tried your solution or many solutions. So you tried it out, what happened? If you try only one solution and it didn't work, move on to some other steps if you have them written down also. Try all possible avenues.

For further information on problem solving, resilience or for general mental health queries the services below may assist you:

www.reachout.com