Rethinking Problems into Solutions

By Colleen Gray

Have you ever found yourself wishing that you could solve your problems more easily? Einstein said that you can’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created it. Nonetheless, most of us stubbornly try. When our efforts don’t achieve the desired result, frustration sets in. We then increase our effort, and in time the solution that we are applying becomes the problem itself.

Consider a couple who are having trouble communicating with each other. They each begin to complain to the other, and as their complaints are not heard, they become louder and more demanding. Their attempts at communication are now exacerbating the problem, until their interaction becomes a minefield of nagging, anger and avoidance. Now they are more likely to notice the problems they have come to resent, and to neglect any positive actions or attributes of the other.

This story is repeated in many contexts – in business, education, institutions and social networks – where we find ourselves looking through a problem-tinted lens which corroborates the view that the problems do exist.

But do they? Defining a problem is not always a straightforward process. The same problem may be viewed variously as a crisis, an interesting challenge, a small bump on the rocky road of life or just something that needs to dealt with. Problems are really figments of the imagination, insofar as they only exist when we have a complaint, and they cease to exist when we are happy and satisfied.

So how do we change our view to see through a solution-tinted lens?

Ascertain what the problem is
Each person is affected by a problem in their own way, and it is helpful to take the time to clarify what the individual concerns are.
Useful questions are:

• Who is doing what to whom?
• How are they doing it?
• What makes this behaviour a problem?
• What aspect of the problem needs to change, could change now, or might be unchangeable?

Identify responsibility
Where does the accountability for the problem lie and who is responsible for implementing a solution? Often problems get thrown about like hot potatoes, brushed under carpets or steam-rolled by other concerns. Like the out-of-date milk in the staff fridge, some-one has to eventually pick up the carton and deal with it. And sometimes that person may not be the obvious choice – the boss, the parent, the leader or the coach. Let’s face it, the world doesn’t owe us a living, but it may provide a fair reward for a fair effort.

Explore what you have done already to solve the problem and how it has helped or made the problem worse
So often we implement actions without evaluating whether or not they might work. Taking the time to appraise what was helpful or didn’t work will give us clues about the next steps to take. Or in the case of something that doesn’t work what steps to leave out.

What’s the smallest change that needs to happen for you to know you have made a start?
Problems are often overwhelming and we may not know where to start. Hope without action leads to hopelessness, and hopelessness in the long-term leads to resignation and despair. There is no doubt that when we look around in the world there is suffering wherever people have lost hope, and they exist in resignation that nothing they can do will change things.

Small changes are encouraging, and may be as simple as doing some exercise to shift one’s mood, greeting people with a smile in the morning, committing to an action plan, or trying something different.

Stop trying to solve the unsolvable
Take note when you are beginning to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or have a sense of “it’s all happening again”. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep the molehills small and climb them first. When you find yourself going around in circles, then you are probably trying too hard, and it’s time to stop circling.

Choose to work on the areas where you can make a difference. There is probably not much that you can do about global peace, but you can always be the peace change you want to see in the world, and the part of the globe where you make a difference.

Give up trying to banish fear or negativity
If the problem is generating negativity, rather than avoiding it, invite it in. Have a conversation with it. Consider all aspects of it. Ask yourself, “What is this negativity trying to tell me? What does this emotion need?” You might find that you are procrastinating because you are feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what to do, or you don’t like the task that lies ahead. These answers will give you an insight into where the solution lies.

I have always done it this way, therefore this way must be right
And haven’t you always got the same result? If something isn’t working, try changing the pattern. A useful strategy is to write down the twelve steps you take when you face a problem, and then consider which ones can be left out, changed or done differently. Being conscious of your own behaviour shows you where you can change.

The leaf is not the tree
When we focus our awareness on only one part of the situation, that’s all we will see. If someone is feeling in a down mood, they will view their surroundings as dull and hopeless. As human beings, we are able to raise our consciousness to become aware of the bigger picture. In doing so, we gain new insights and be able to see the whole tree. The larger view expands the possibilities and may even help us see the problem in context.

Problems are solutions waiting to be found. These strategies may help to change your thinking, and provide a different view and possibilities.