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Effective Problem Solving Skills

by Ed Needham

1) AVOID THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE

-don't ignore the red flags

-use past experiences as a guide

2) KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE_-a negative attitude is a prescription for failure

-confidence in your own skills goes a long way

3) LEARN ABOUT THE PROBLEM

-what you don't know CAN hurt you -find out as much as you can...ask, read, listen

4) DON'T IGNORE THE PROBLEM -it usually won't go away on it's own

-problems ignored usually get worse

5) KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

-decide whether it's too big to handle on your own

-don't be over-confident about your own strengths

6) KNOW WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP

-get advice from someone that might have a solution

-don't listen to everyone

7) TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN PROBLEMS

-if you don't solve your problem, someone else may solve it for you, but to their own benefit

8) KNOW WHICH ARE YOUR'S AND WHICH ARE OTHERS PROBLEMS

-don't take on the problems of others as your own

-recognize when it's really your problem to deal with

9) DON'T GET STALLED BY ONE PROBLEM

-go around an obstacle rather than through it

-keep your goal in mind

10) PUT THE PROBLEM IN THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE

-is this problem damaging or long term?

-what are the consequences if the problem continues

11) LEARN TO RELAX IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEM

-panic only makes things seem more confusing

-breathe deeply and slowly several times to relax

12) VISUALIZE AND BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM

-picture solutions in your mind

-write down any solution, both good and bad -make sure your solution will solve the problem

You may copy and use this information, but please make sure I get the credit for it. E-mail me if you want to re-use this in another publication. Thanks!