5 Qualities For Problem Solving

Whenever something goes wrong in our life or things get hectic, the first thing that goes out the window for most people is their fitness and health. But why? Fair enough, you may have to prioritise but exercise is the one thing that can make everything better, so it shouldn’t be completely given up on.

Anyway… Let’s solve your problems with creativity and tenacity, so that you can get back to being healthy and happy again. High-flyers and effective leaders always rise to a challenge. That’s one of the things that separate winners from whiners.

We all must face problems. They are inevitable because:

-   We live in a world of growing complexity and diversity

-   We interact with people

-   We cannot control all the situations we face

“What you think means more than anything else in your life. More than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you. Every problem introduces you to yourself. It shows you how you think, and what you’re made of.

When you come face to face with a problem, how do you react? Do you ignore it, and hope that it will go away? Do you feel powerless to solve it? Have you had such bad experiences trying to solve problems in the past that you’ve just given up? Or do you tackle them willingly.

The ability to solve problems effectively comes from experience facing and overcoming obstacles. Each time you solve another problem you get a little better at the process. But if you never try, fail, and try again, you’ll never be good at it.” ~ George Matthew Adams

Here are 5 Qualities For Good Problem Solving Ability from John C. Maxwell’s book The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader:

-       Anticipate Problems

If you keep your attitude positive but plan for the worst, you’ll find yourself in a good position to solve problems that come your way.

-       Accept The Truth

You could either refuse to accept the problem, accept it and then put up with it, or accept it and try to make things better. The only thing that is going to help you is facing up to the reality of the situation.

-       See The Big Picture

Can you afford to be overwhelmed by emotion? Can you allow yourself to get so bogged down in the details that you lose sight of what’s important?

-       Handle One Thing At A Time

If you get overwhelmed at the sheer size of your problems, you will dabble at solving them.  Prioritising is key to being efficient, and that’s the only way to retain your sanity in times like these.

-       Don’t Give Up a Major Goal While You’re Down

This is very important. The peak-to-peak principle suggests that you make big decisions while you’re up and not during the dark times. Just take advice from The Bible: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” [Psalm 23:4]