I can guarantee the thoughts running through her head aren’t “oh whoa is me, I’m stuck forever!”
[This is Part # 13 of a 20 Part Series to Improve Your Strengths] — Take the Strengths TEST
Quote: “One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment… if it doesn’t turn out right, we can modify it as we go along.” —Franklin D.Roosevelt Definition: “the thought process involved in settling a difficulty”
The art of Problem solving is such a great skill to have and to work on… so many possibilities for success, friendships, and helping people out. Yet, I run across more and more people every day who don’t believe they are all that good at it.
Of course, that’s usually about the time I ask them, “what are you doing about it?” insert blank stare here I can completely understand their blank stares as the softer skill side of things aren’t really taught or nurtured externally. You have to actively seek to improve this strength on your own – no one else will!
You may have 99 problems, but to get started you just need to pick 1! Let’s take a stroll down improving Problem Solving skills lane, with the 5 Steps to the Art of Problem Solving:
1. Gather “Enough” Information, But Not Too Much
I used to be a “99.9% or nothing data collection and presenting” type dude, while secretly believing I was really a 100% kind of problem solver. Oh man, oh man what a perfect combination of packrat, stickler, and super-detailed guy I was. I was also paralyzed by analysis. So much data I couldn’t do a thing.
When we’re off searching for EVERY answer to our problems, we soon enough find ourselves not solving anything at all. However, if we instead aim for 70% of what we think we need while adapting to what’s left, then amazing things get done. It works for the Marines, why not you?!
EXERCISE: Pick 2 or 3 house chores (or work chores, if you won’t end up killing someone for a mistake) and purposefully set out to do them at a 70% capacity and seek what you’ll learn from what comes up.
It’s been said that we can become 90% efficient with a task in about a year’s time and that it takes another 20-30 years to bring that up to 95%. Is a quarter of your life worth 5%?