How to Solve Problems

Success and happiness are largely influenced by how you deal with difficulties. If you find yourself stuck when confronted with a problem, try identifying it and breaking it down into smaller parts. Think about whether you should approach the issue using logical thinking or focus on how you feel about the outcome. Look for creative solutions by collaborating with others and viewing the problem from a different perspective.

Identify the problem. Pinpoint the real issue, not just the symptoms that arise from it. When identifying a problem, focus on the actual cause rather than external factors. You can address those later. Take time to carefully understand the issue.

• For example, the mess in your room might not be because you're naturally disorganized. Perhaps the real issue is that you lack containers or enough space to neatly arrange things.
• Make sure to clearly and thoroughly identify the problem. If it's a personal issue, be honest with yourself when identifying the root cause. If it's a logistical issue, pinpoint exactly when and where the problem occurs.
• Determine if the problem is real or something you've created yourself. Does it truly need to be solved, or is it something you just want? An objective perspective will help guide your problem-solving process.

Make key decisions first. Identify the decisions that need to be made and their role in resolving the issue. Decision-making can help you make progress in the process. Start by recognizing what you need to focus on, what should be completed, and how to approach it.

• For example, if you have multiple issues to address, decide which one to tackle first. Solving one problem may alleviate stress or reduce pressure on another issue.
• Once you've made a decision, don't doubt yourself. Be ready to move forward and avoid wondering what would have happened had you chosen differently.

Simplify the problem. A problem that’s too complex can overwhelm you and make it harder to resolve. If you have multiple issues to tackle, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts and address them one by one. Breaking a problem into the smallest components will help you understand it better and find a solution.

• For instance, if you need to submit multiple essays for a course, focus on how many you need to write and tackle each one individually.
• Take advantage of opportunities to multitask and solve problems wherever possible. For example, if time is limited, you could listen to lecture recordings while walking to class, or review flashcards while waiting for dinner.

Write down what you know and what you don’t know. Familiarize yourself with what you already understand, and then determine what you still need to learn. Gather as much information as possible and organize it logically.

• For example, if you're preparing for an important exam, figure out what you already know and what needs further study. Review your current knowledge and begin exploring more from your notes, textbooks, or other useful resources.

Anticipate the outcomes. Prepare a Plan B (or more) to avoid becoming locked into a single solution. Once you’ve identified possible solutions, think about how each one will play out. Predict the outcomes and how they will affect you and others around you. Visualize both the best and worst-case scenarios in your mind.

• Be mindful of your emotions in each of these scenarios.

Allocate your resources. Your resources might include time, money, energy, mobility, etc. If problem-solving is your top priority, you may need to marshal extra resources to address the issue. Consider the resources you have available and direct them toward resolving the problem.

• For example, if you have an urgent project to finish, you might need to skip cooking dinner or going to the gym to dedicate time to that project.
• Cut back on non-essential tasks when needed. For instance, you could consider ordering food delivery to save time and use that time for other tasks.

Think of different solutions. Come up with various options to solve the problem. Knowing there isn't just one way to resolve an issue will show you that you have multiple choices. Once you've come up with several alternatives, identify which ones seem reasonable and which ones should be discarded.

• When faced with an important decision, write down your alternatives. This will help you not overlook any options you considered and allow you to eliminate those that don’t make sense.
• For example, if you’re hungry and need something to eat, consider whether to cook something, get fast food, order delivery, or go to a restaurant.

Try multiple approaches to a problem. For simple issues, analytical and logical skills will be the most helpful. In other cases, emotions may need to guide you. Problem-solving often requires a mix of thinking, emotions, and even intuition to arrive at a solution. Don’t hesitate to try different approaches, but remain flexible and see which works best.

• Some problems have many possible solutions, such as when you get a high-paying job in another city but will be far from family. Consider the reasonable solutions, but also think about your own thoughts and feelings, as well as how the decision will affect your loved ones.

Seek advice from others. If your issue isn’t urgent, consider asking for advice from people who might have faced similar situations. You may know someone who has gone through the same problem, and they can share their experiences. Whether you follow their advice or not, gaining different perspectives is helpful.

• For example, if you're looking to buy a house and are undecided, talk to other homeowners to hear their thoughts and any regrets they might have had when purchasing their homes.

Track your progress. If you're working toward a goal, keep an eye on how things are progressing. If you're making headway and things are moving in the right direction, keep going. If you notice that your approach isn’t quite working, find new ways to handle the situation. You might need to come up with new strategies to solve the problem more effectively.

• For instance, if you’re tackling financial difficulties, assess how your efforts are affecting your income and expenses. If budgeting effectively is working, continue with it. If sticking to cash payments is causing problems, try a different method.
• Write in a journal about your progress, successes, and challenges. You can look back at it to stay motivated when you feel discouraged.

Calm your emotions. Anxiety or nervousness about potential outcomes can make it hard to make decisions and solve problems. If fear is hindering your ability to resolve the issue, take time to regain composure. Breathe deeply to calm yourself and relax before addressing the situation.

• You might also go for a walk or write in a journal. The goal here is to reduce fear and increase a sense of security.
• The first step is often the scariest. Try starting with something small. For instance, if you’re working on becoming more active, begin by taking a daily walk.

Identify underlying issues. A visible problem may have hidden issues that need addressing. If you’ve dealt with a similar problem before but it persists, try to uncover any underlying causes. Tackling these hidden factors might help resolve the problem for good.

• For example, if you're overwhelmed by a long to-do list, the issue may not be the list itself, but your inability to say no to tasks you can’t manage.
• If you're feeling stressed, angry, or overloaded, you might be on the verge of burnout. List the things causing you stress or frustration and aim to reduce them later. If you start feeling overwhelmed again, it might be a sign that you need to cut back on tasks.

See a therapist. If you find yourself constantly struggling with decision-making or doubting your choices after resolving a problem, it might be helpful to talk to a mental health professional. Feelings of low self-esteem could be causing your self-doubt or sense of failure. A therapist can provide insight and help you evaluate yourself in a more positive and realistic light.

• Find a therapist by calling your local healthcare facility or insurance company. You could also ask your doctor or friends for a referral.

• If you begin to feel overwhelmed or discouraged, try practicing deep breathing exercises. Remember, every problem has a solution, but sometimes you can get bogged down and struggle to see anything beyond the issue itself.
• Don’t avoid the problem. Sooner or later, it will resurface and may become even harder to resolve. A calm, rational approach will help you reduce the stress of the situation.