We can’t choose every situation, but through competent problem solving, we can choose how to deal with them.
Puzzled by life’s problems? Once we gain a better grasp on problem solving, we start to see that the missing piece may be hiding in the question itself.
We cannot dictate or control every situation in our life; this is true. However, we are completely capable of dictating how we deal with situations.
By looking at the problem in a different way, being interested in what elements for change it presents to us, we can resolve our problems more quickly.
New Ways to Look at Old Problems Through a Problem Solving Lens
Redefine
Take a step back and assess the issue. Is it really a problem, or just a set of circumstances to navigate? Did the car require a trip to the shop the same day we were scheduled to be the carpool driver for our hiking club field trip? Don’t just give up. Here’s an opportunity to get to know the other members and club administrators. See who’s got a car to lend and offer a trade in kind for the future.
Ultimately, the more we look at setbacks as opportunities to reevaluate and reorganize, the more we’ll find ourselves saying, “I have happy problems.” As a result, as our problem-solving ability improves, we start to see ‘problems’ as opportunities to grow.
Simplify
Just as in creative visualization it helps to be specific or detailed, so does asking a good question. Summarize the specific problem: “I need lower car payments to get my budget in line,” vs. “I need more money,” for example. The more bite-sized we make our problems, the more manageable they’ll become.
Try this exercise for turning a problem into an exciting quest. The question, “How can I find more love,” for example, can be turned into the statement, “Love is out there, waiting to be found.” What self-loving thing can we do to make ourselves more visible to love?
Reframe
If things in our business or personal lives seem to be stalled, problems, even emergencies, can infuse some new life into the situation. “I just lost a major client,” can be restated as, “I now have room for more solvent clients.” Then, we can use creative visualization skills to rewrite our wish list and reset our goals.
What’s our favorite type of client or business to work with? We can bring that client into the picture by closing our eyes and focusing on them.
Greater Appreciation Through Problem Solving
Look for the good news. Say the problem is we don’t have enough money for something important, like food or bills. That’s great news! Why? Because, simply by pondering the solution or goal—more money—we are using the energy of money to alleviate our sense of poverty. We may not have the actual money in our hands or bank account quite yet, but the energy of money is always present.
We can start by acknowledging that we have always had money—after all, something supported our lives up to this point. We can also give appreciation for all the money, in all its forms, we’ve received throughout our lives. Then, we can remind ourselves that this energy, like love, is perpetual, limitless and we can continue to attract it.
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Life will never be problem-free, this is true. However, reshaping how we approach life’s problems can make a world of difference. By looking to the questions or challenges themselves for our answers, life’s setbacks can become more of an adventure and less of a test for survival.
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