PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

"Problems are to mind what exercise is to the muscles they toughen and make strong", Norman Vincent Peale.

Richard Branson the boss of Virgin group of UK spends 33 per cent of his time in existing business, 33 per cent in new ventures and 33 per cent in problem solving and 1 per cent in parting as he is a party animal. It is obvious that he expects problems in his business and he is mentally prepared to face and battle the problems.

Every one wants to have a smooth ride in his life but every one encounters problems from birth to death. WHO declared problem solving as the 8th life skill. It indicates that every person must be equipped with tools and techniques to overcome problems in daily life. Problem is nothing but an unexpected, unforeseen and unfavorable issue that may crop up either because of internal forces or external forces or combination of both internal and external forces. In the case of internal forces, it could be due to negligence or lack of knowledge of the individual that the problem is going to come up. In such a scenario it can be manageable and can be tackled with care and caution. Whereas in the case of external problems which are beyond the reach of the individual to manage. It is in this context, individuals get stuck and upset and if the problems are recurrent and they get dejected and demotivated. After having known what is problem, it is relevant to find out the root causes of the problems.


CAUSES:


When there is inconsistency in perception and thinking amongst people the problem crops up. If the expectations and aspirations are not met there will be dissatisfaction resulting into frustration and problems. When people fail to understand one another the end result is the problem. Ego clashes amongst the people may give rise to conflicts. Misunderstandings will lead to communication gap and resulting into conflicts. All these can be ascribed to internal forces and factors responsible for problems.

The author bought a plot, which was later found to be in litigation and was already registered on some other person. It became a tough task to handle the problem because it involved the middlemen and the seller who was also misled by his immediate seller. It involved the legal litigation and complications. It took around four months to settle the problem out of court amicably. To tackle this problem the author applied the tool of SWOT analysis. The SWOT is the acronym for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. The strength was that the author was legally if right as it was registered on his name. The weakness was that if the legal issue gets prolonged for a longer time there will be drain in his precious energies and time. The opportunity was that the plot was strategically and geographically located near main constructions and if any further constructions take place there will be spectacular jump in the land price. The threat was that the author was new to that place and had to encounter threats from local miscreants. This was how the SWOT analysis was used and ultimately he succeeded in getting out the problem through sustained efforts and perseverance. At times the problems do surface due to none of our mistakes. In fact, facing problems is essential for developing character and internal growth. Problems either make a person bigger or smaller.


EFFECTS:


There is wastage of time in tackling the problems. This time can be utilized for other constructive and productive activities. Problems deviate and sidetrack the main activities. It will have overall ill impact at the social level, personal level and professional level. At times, recurrent problems create self-doubt thereby losing confidence in oneself resulting into frustrations. By constantly worrying about the problems, people make mistakes due to lack of concentration. If this negative fall out is one side of the coin, the other side of the coin is the ability to take up problems as challenges and fighting it out. In this context, John Johnson aptly said, "There is advantage in every disadvantage and a gift in every problem". The inner talents and traits would surface when an individual is forced to a corner. It is like when a piece of log subjected to severe pressure becomes charcoal. And if it is subjected to extreme pressure results in a diamond. Great personalities are made from men like that.


TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES TO TAME:


• Look at the root of the problem and find out what led to the eruption of the problem as it paves the way for right remedy.
• Apply back end method i.e. glance at the problem and then go backwards step by step in order to find out the links. When you know the right links then it is easy to break the links to get disentangled.
• If the problem looks big enough then break it into tiny pieces and then solve it step by step. It is known as ‘cluster problem’ which is cluster of many tiny problems.
• Mentally map it with in your mind looking at all aspects both tangible and intangible factors and forces.
• Always try to see the big picture.
• Apply SWOT analysis tool in letter and spirit and weigh pros and cons and then decide the right solution.
• Take expert advice if required.
• Take inspiration from people who underwent through such problems and overcame successfully.
• Consult various well wishers about the problem and then take the solution that suits the best.
• Always look at both extremities such as what are the best and the worst options and then play safe.
• Check your biological clock and work on the problem wholeheartedly with fresh mind.
• Apply tools like brainstorming, reverse brainstorming, morphological method, hill climbing strategy, analogy, six thinking hats, synectics, mind mapping etc.,
• Critical thinking, conceptual thinking and analytical ability is essential to solve the problems.
• Address the problem earnestly and promptly or else it would become a conflict and finally a crisis.
• Application of creative techniques is essential, as there is no permanent solution for every problem. Solution depends on the intensity and magnitude of the problem.
• Out of the box thinking and innovative techniques are essential.
• If required, sleep over the problem. And also stay with the problem for more time as Albert Einstein said, "It's not that I am smart it’s just that I stay with problems longer".
• Mind is fresh early in the morning without any preoccupied thoughts. And also this time provides an opportunity to look at the problem on a clean slate.
• Apply trial and error method. If succeeded it is good or else failure teaches many lessons in life.
• Do not flight but fight to the finish.

Above all, do possess tenacity and perseverance to tackle the problems. Brian Tracy quoted, "Leaders think and talk about solutions. Followers think about the problems". Now the ball is in your court whether to become a leader or a follower.

CONCLUSION:


"Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them", quoted Albert Einstein. You decide yourself whether you want to be a genius or an intellectual. As far as possible, checkmate the problem before it rears up as major one. Nip it in the bud. Never get perturbed with problems. If problem is the end then the solutions are the means. Means are many where as the end is only one. Hence it is very easy to tackle the problem with the support of multiple solutions. Never brood over the problems. Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you . . . but to help you realize your hidden potential. . . . Let difficulties know that your are difficult.

MESSAGE:


Face the problems squarely with courage and confidence. Learn to live with problems in life. As long as head is there, there will be headache. And similarly as long as people are there, there will be problems. Every problem will open up an opportunity. Many inventions resulted from problems and necessities. This is the silver lining on the dark cloud of problems.

"Winning horse does not know why it runs in race . . .It runs because of beats and pains . . . The larger you get pain the stronger you become. Life is race, God is your rider."

THE END