Many of us these days go through so many different types of challenges that we may not be internally equipped for. Your current thinking can’t solve your current problems. This means that we need to regroup, gather info, and attack it from a different angle.
As we learn and grow, it’s important for us to take notes on how we problem solve. Most of us problem solve using skills developed as children. That doesn’t always work because the core problems today are evolving with more complexity. I have found myself looking forward to new challenges so that I can dig deep and put on the new thinking cap. I truly thrive on figuring things out.
Whether you think you have problem-solving down pat or not, here are 12 super cool tips to fire up that brain:
(please keep an open mind and think about it)
Note: No magical order
- Write stuff down- Seriously, start writing stuff down because it will absolutely help you stay organized.
- Ponder about different perspectives- Don’t be narrow-minded. Think of different perspectives yourself and/or get others involved.
- Break stuff down- This one can be tricky because you may not know what you don’t know. Repeat step one and then you can put it into some sort of order later.
- Verbalize- Speak it out and listen to how it sounds. It’s ok to look like you are crazy because it really doesn’t matter what others think of you, right?!
- Brain-dump- Get out as much of it as you can at once with no rhyme or reason. Things will start making sense later. Don’t worry you will start getting clarity.
- Don’t assume you’re correct- We tend to always think we are right. You’re not necessarily doubting yourself by doing this, just look at it as if you are ensuring completeness.
- Use questions- To figure things out start using questions to get more info. Some of the coolest answers started with many questions.
- Identify the problem- Dig deep and try to figure out what the core issue is. If you can get to the root you can better arrive at answers.
- Research, research, research- For real!
- Action- Get going right away because your brain will certainly forget the main issues if you wait too long.
- Aim- Find strategic ways to get to what you need.
- Fail- Have fun with failing because I promise you you will start learning new things.
Conclusion
If you do the same things you have always done you will never truly evolve. Learn, grow, adapt, and overcome as many obstacles as you can along the way. With this knowledge, you can use some of the things as tools to learn how to solve other problems. Develop the McGyver type of thinking. If you don’t know who McGyver is do some research to figure it out. Smile!
Question
Do you have some cool tips to help others solve complex problems?
