Problem solving begins with identifying the problem

Problem solving skills are an everyday requirement if we wish to improve our lives. Problem solving is something that we spend a great deal of time doing. However, in attempting to solve a problem; we occasionally forget to ensure that we are tackling the real problem. One of the areas where I see this most often is the area of time management. An entire industry has been created to try to help people to get more done. Technology and software have been invented to assist with the effort. However, from my experience, the problem is rarely the quantity of work being done by the individual. More commonly, it is a matter of the individual not getting the right things done. In these circumstances, helping the individual to do more is not the solution as they only end up doing more of the wrong things.  A great deal of stress could be prevented if we first took the time to identify the most important problems/challenges that we face i.e. our priorities. We can then spend the majority of our time focusing on our priorities. Identifying and focusing on priorities forms the foundation of an effective problem solving mindset. The issue of tackling the wrong problem is not restricted to the area of time management alone. A number of years ago a colleague asked me to help her find a suitable negotiating course. I could have just gone to find her a course but I felt that I really needed to take the time to understand the problems which she faced. I sat down with her and we talked through the entire negotiating process. To my surprise she was very comfortable with all bar one aspect of the process i.e. the final step. She found great difficulty in sticking to the price she had negotiated with the customer. I realised that her problem was not with negotiating but with assertiveness. Having discussed this further with both her and her manager we found a suitable assertiveness course and booked a place for her. A short while after the course both she and her manager took the time to thank me for identifying the real problem and they informed me that her work performance had improved substantially. By adopting a problem solving mindset we were able to identify the course which best met the needs of both my colleague and the organisation. When you find yourself in difficulty take the time to think through the issue thoroughly. If possible, discuss it with a trusted friend, colleague or a professional in the relevant area. A problem solving mindset takes more time to implement but you will resolve your problems quicker and more effectively. In order to effectively solve a problem, you need a clear goal. The Ultimate Guide to Goal Setting can help.