The ability to solve problems is a skill we all use to. Whether it’s in our day-to-day lives, at work or in academic situations, we find solutions in order to overcome obstacles. Problem solving is a key skill as it shows that you are able to cope well under pressure, think creatively and independently tackle challenges. It can be intimidating for some, however when broken down it isn’t daunting.

Understand the problem.

Understanding the problem is your first step to tackling it. Once you’ve recognised the obstacles, create a plan with actionable and reasonable steps. If you’re finding difficulty moving forward, evaluate what is stopping you. A systematic approach will allow you to account for obstacles which may have been overlooked. Remember, you can always ask for help or opinions from others.

Feeling lost?

If your plan appears useless, it’s easy to feel at a loss. Remember not to bury your head, instead tackle this head on. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused and motivated, however making your plan flexible allows for problems and surprises along the way.

Creative thinking has generated a plethora of ideas over time. Without this the world we live in wouldn’t be so advanced. Take risks and show initiative. You may think that some of your ideas may not be good enough but don’t write anything off. Remember to research and see how others have overcome scenarios. Drawing inspiration from other ideas can also lead to improving them.

Deciding on the best course of action may take a bit of time. Ask people’s opinions, research and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. Delving into a problem in more detail allows you to discover other potential avenues. Creative thinking is a must in these situations. Try drawing a box and put the problem in the box, then brain storm ideas outside of the box. This creates a visual that you are, (as the well-known saying goes) ‘thinking outside the box’.

Speak volumes.

Creative thinking is more profitable with a range of voices. Employees can share ideas and express concerns through discussions about how to tackle problems. Try group exercises such as doodling, have an anonymous suggestion box or an interactive WhatsApp session. All the while you will be developing team morale and showing you are interested in what the team has to offer. The truth is you can’t schedule creativity but if you can, it is a valuable skill. If an idea, image or piece of writing inspires you, remember to record it, whether it be on your phone, notepad or laptop.

Rewards.

Rewarding employees for coming up with creativity is an option as people are often motivated by incentives. If this isn’t possible, why not do a group brain storm. Not all colleagues will take part but it’s a good way of getting colleagues to interact, share and develop ideas. This may not work for everyone, as some colleagues may feel conscious sharing their ideas in fear they are wrong or seem silly. Depending on your organisation depends on the tactic you feel will work best for you.

Measure your success.

Overcoming problems is something we face every day but it’s how we tackle them that allows us to measure our achievements. There is a solution to every problem and analysing these results can be used to determine what issues need to be addressed in the future. Putting a strategy in place will create a map for people to follow in the future, therefore increasing productivity within the workplace.

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