The more complex, individual, and fast-paced our everyday lives become, the more important it is to be able to develop solutions quickly and easily. Well-trained problem-solving skills can help solve problems and achieve personal goals on various levels.
- Problem-solving skills pay off professionally: those who are good at responding flexibly to customer requests not only find it easier to win customers, but also retain them more effectively.
- Problem-solving skills also benefit relationships: disagreements can be resolved more easily.
- Developing problem-solving strategies can also be useful in your personal life. Problems arise everywhere—those who can solve them easily have an advantage.
What is meant by a problem?
A problem is a task that has not (yet) been solved or something that proves to be an obstacle that must be overcome when working toward a goal.
What is problem-solving competence?
Problem-solving skills should enable us to act as "problem solvers"instead of failing because of a problem. These skills stem from the ability not only to recognize a problem, but also to analyze it and tackle it in such a way that the problem is resolved on the way to achieving the goal.
The following steps are part of the chain for solving a problem:
identification
First, the problem is identified. This is solely about recognizing that there is a problem and initially leaving it as it is, without judging it. Negative thoughts such as the following are counterproductive at this stage:
"Oh no, I've run into an unsolvable problem here!"
analysis
The second step is to analyze the problem. The following questions are important for this, for example:
- What is the problem?
- Why is this a problem?
- What will prevent the problem?
proposed solutions
Only now does the phase of working on a solution begin. To this end, suggestions are collected, sorted, and examined for their potential suitability.
implementation
Now it's time to implement the solution. To do this, a solution approach is selected and implemented.
control
The control phase is very important: this is where you determine whether your solution works, whether new problems arise, or whether the approach may need to be readjusted.
Why are problem-solving skills so sought after?
In your private life, problem-solving skills are simply beneficial for you and those around you. If you are able to solve problems well and sensibly, you will find life easier and be able to achieve your goals more quickly.
Problem-solving skills are really in demand in the workplace: for many positions, preference is given to people who can successfully implement problem-solving strategies. For a company, employees who have developed good problem-solving skills are practically worth their weight in gold.
In some positions, this skill is particularly sought after. If you are aiming for a management position, for example, you should familiarize yourself with this topic in detail.
Expert tip: Consultants also need good strategies to solve their clients' problems.
Promoting problem-solving skills: 6 tips
Various tools are available to help you develop your personal problem-solving skills. These are easy to get started with. The exercises can be used in any environment where a problem arises.
1. Identify the core of the problem
Very often, only the symptoms of the problem are recognized, rather than identifying the true root cause. It's a bit like trying to spray water on the leaves of a plant that is dying, instead of watering the roots.
To get to the heart of the matter, trace the "symptoms" of the problem backwards and try to get to the root cause.
2. Adjust your mindset
We tend to associate the word "problem" with negative feelings and a sense of helplessness. But that's not how a problem should be viewed:
Try to change your mindset and see a problem as something that is a tricky but exciting puzzle.
3. Believe in yourself!
It is just as important to work on rephrasing negative statements about yourself. For example, sentences such as:
"I've never been able to do that" or "I'm not creative anyway."
block problem-solving skills without actually being true.
These phrases and negative attitudes need to be overcome internally. How about taking up a "hobby" that you've never been interested in because you're perhaps too impatient?
Please take a look at our Riddle Boxes Trick Boxes.
4. Say goodbye to the idea of guilt
Humans are programmed to look for someone to blame and shift the problem onto their shoulders. Blame is the program, blame is the boss or even the weather—anything but yourself.
In most cases, the question of blame is completely irrelevant to solving the problem. Look forward, not backward!
5. Slow down because you're in a hurry
Those who want to progress as quickly as possible tend to make careless mistakes—and then everything has to be started all over again. So the motto is: take it slow! Especially when you're in a hurry.
6. Get help!
You don't have to come up with every solution yourself; that's not the essence of good problem-solving skills. It's enough to know who to ask.
Conclusion
Problem-solving skills are useful in your personal life and highly sought after in the workplace. It is therefore worthwhile to work on your problem-solving skills with a few exercises.
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