Problems=Solutions

     Problems are just a part of life for every person. Although you can't avoid the inevitable, you can learn how to address and deal with problems more effectively. To cope with problems you need to develop a system for solutions.

     Since the variety of problems is infinite for any person's life, to be effective, a problem solving system would need to be generic, yet effective, for your challenge at hand.

     Many people seem to address the same problems over and over again. Why does this occur? Because most people never solve their real problems. Instead, the person either ignores the problem at hand or procrastinates facing it head-on. To overcome your current life tomorrow, stop fooling yourself today.

     There is a logical approach to problem solving. Here are 13 strategies I recommend when facing with a problem.  

1. First, take some time to examine and explore your problem thoroughly before trying to solve it. Often, to understand the problem is to solve it.
2. Try breaking the problem down into smaller parts. When you break a big problem down into smaller parts it makes solving it much easier. Solve each part separately.
3. In reality, there are always an infinite number of solutions to any problem. The challenge is to continue searching for solutions until you find the right one.
4. Procrastinators always finish last. You can always do something. Remember what I've shared with you in the past, "Doing something always produces something, while doing nothing always produces more problems."
5. Don't look at a problem as a punishment from God. In reality it is an opportunity to increase your personal power and ultimately the happiness of your world.
6. The proper formula to handle a problem determines the range of choices to solve it. Watch the questions you ask yourself because they are what determine the answers you receive. Whatever you initially call a problem often determines your options to resolve it. Watch your preconceived names or feelings you attach to problems.
7. Be careful not to look for a solution until you understand the problem, and be careful not to select any specific solution until you have formulated a wide variety of choices. A wide range of choices (ideas, possible solutions, etc.) allows you to choose the best from many. Having only one choice is not a choice.
8. Trust yourself and your solutions. People will work to implement their own ideas and solutions much more energetically than they work to implement others' ideas and solutions.
9. Remember to keep balance and logic in your solutions for the problem. A solution that is technically brilliant but ethically stupid is not a good solution. 10. When you are sure of what you want to occur but not sure how to solve the current problem that's in the way, try working backwards.
11. Avoid denial of your problems. Denying a problem always will make it bigger and more difficult to handle.
12. Solve the problem that really exists, not just the symptoms of a problem; not the problem you already have a solution for; not the problem you wish existed; and not the problem someone else thinks exists.
13. Create a plan for your problem. A maker follows a plan; a creator produces a plan. To effectively handle a problem, create a plan to follow. Creativity is the construction of something new out of some things old, through effort and imagination.

     Try using these problem solving strategies on one of your current problems. I'll venture to say, you'll end up with more control over your problem than you thought you could.

     The best way to handle any problem is to discover what needs to be done and then, DO IT NOW! Of course, I don't want to make the problem solving sound easier than it really is, instead, let me say, "No matter what comes before you always remember, to KEEP GOING, and eventually you'll get to where you want to go."

     Until we share some life, time, and insights in the future, I am

In loving service,
Dr. Michael J. Duckett