Process Used to Deal with a Specific Problem

One fine day, out of the blue, it struck to me that I had a serious problem and I had to do something about it. Instead of just thinking about the problem over and over in my mind, I put it down on a paper. I then put in words what my aim was and also listed out the shortcomings in me. For the first time in a long while, I was being truthful. Next I listed out the strategies I could adopt to tackle this problem and the consequences of implementing it. I spoke with other people who were going through the same phase as I was and learnt what they were doing to get closer to their goals. I even conversed with those who had been successful at the same task and took their suggestions in good spirit. I came up with a time table that was realistic and feasible. I tried and learnt various techniques of studying as well as relaxing. After I had monitored the steps I had taken, I knew even before the results were out that I would soon taste the sweetest thing called success. It did happen, and ever since then, there has been no looking back.

To summarize the process, the steps to be taken to solve a problem are as follows:

1. Problem identification: What is my concern?

Try to give a precise description of your problems. You should try to focus on behaviors or skill deficits.

1. Goal definition: What do I want to achieve or change?

This should be a realistic aim of improvement (not “I want to feel better”). Ask yourself: “What do I want to change or achieve right now?”

1. Brainstorming: What can I do?

Think of successful ways of solving problems. Use your creativity.

Some of the strategies that can be used are:

1. Recognize a pattern
2. Simplify and make it manageable
3. Visualize and experiment
4. Estimate: Guess and test
5. Organized listing
6. Working backwards

(Barrett, Sarah G., Mars Hill School, <http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ma8902.html>)

1. Consequences: What might happen?

This step can be split into sub steps:

1. What are the advantages? It is better to look at the advantages before looking at the disadvantages
2. Where are the risks, what care is needed, what problems can occur?
3. How do you intuitively feel about the alternatives?
4. Implementation: Just do it!
5. Evaluation: Did it work?

If you have been successful: Great!!!! You should think about a reward for your efforts!!!! (Martin Winkler, 24 Aug 2008 <http://web4health.info/en/answers/psy-problem-solving.htm>)

Bibliography

www.web4health.info. Martin Winkler, 24 Aug 2008. 20 Oct 2008. <http://web4health.info/en/answers/psy-problem-solving.htm>

www.iit.edu. Barrett, Sarah G., Mars Hill School. 20 Oct 2008. <http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ma8902.html>