How to efficiently solve almost any problem
For some years now I work in support. I am not sure if I'm good at it because it is something inate and I always was a problem solver or because I follow some very clear steps, probably a combination of this 2.
What I can give you is a process that should help a lot in solving your working/personal issues.
1. Collect all data
Sometimes we think that we know the problem and we understood it but we don't have the complete picture so the solution for the issue might be in the missing information.
So before starting to work on your issue collect all the information related to it and the steps leading you to it. It is ideally if you write those down. It will help in the next steps also.
2. Clarify the issue
Once you have all the data you can clarify the problem. This questions will help a lot to understand exactly what you are facing:
- What is the actual behavior and the steps to reach it?
- What is the expected one? This is one very important question because we sometimes point a issue we have but we cannot define the ideal case we want.
- What is the impact? How important is this issue and how much it deserves to enter a "fight" to fix it?
3. Search
I know we are unique and our problems are also. But except of the issues related to our perceptions/ "luggage" and very personal behavior we can search for cases with similar issues to get the inspiration for a possible solution.
I believe that one of the most needed skills in today's world is to be able to search and to ask the right questions. We are surrounded by so much information that if we fail in triage what is really useful for us it will become difficult to move as fast as we want.
4. Trial and error
We now have the initial bunch of information to start fixing, by trial end error. Expecting to get everytime a solution from the first try will frustrate us a lot on long term. Through trial end error we will confirm the possible causes we found in the research and we will customize our own solution.
Be adaptable and ready to adjust and use "workarounds" if permanent solution is not yet available. This will let you the energy to deal with other challenges instead of insisting on one only and you can get back in the future to this one, when enhancements will be available.
5. Learn from the solution
When we are reaching a final result, remember not let it go without clearly understand the cause and what we have done to fix it.
6. Celebrate the result!
And give yourself some time before entering a new challenge.
So many times we just forget to stop and just enjoy what we've managed to do, no matter is a work issue, an exam or a great relationship. Celebration is a great source of energy (dopamine and serotonine for the brain) so never ever forget about it!
Do you have in mind any problem that won't work solved this way?
I really like that pattern of solving problems. Because we are always in a hurry often we forget to collect all the information or to clarify the issue.
Also on some problems, specially complex problems, we can have an intermediate step: Break the problem in sub-problems that can be solved. :)
Yes, very true. This comes naturally if in the clarification step you find it to be too big and containing multiple smaller issues. The interesting part here is to understand the connections between the smaller parts so you can work effectively and they might influence one another.
Yes, also to merge all these small problems can take a lot of time . :)
I find this to be so True! In today's world, we are immersed in an Ocean of Information. If we don't know how to question or which questions to put, we will never get the answer we're looking for.
If we let someone else question things for us, we will most likely fall into the horrendous Media Belief System, shortened as B.S. LOL. And the only question that is put by that belief system is:
So on and so forth. Which disempowers you to the point of being another sheep in the flock.
Also, your method is really great. Reminds me of the Trivium Method.
Thank you for the quality post! Will be looking out to see more of them. Followed :)
First time I hear about Trivium Method. Thanks, I will check it:)
Thank you also for the comment, I could not agree more. It's easy to become a "informational victim" nowadays if you don't have your own filters and reality checks.