THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
THE WAY OUT AND THE WAY "TO"


CONTENTS                                                                 See FORMS TO USE.

Necessary "form"
The problem solving process, simplified
How to assure you problem solve regularly and completely - and skyrocket your life
Forms to use - quick reference to pick what to use
Quick Overview/Summary
     Problem is just a gap
     The pieces are always
     Doing what is needed - or not
_____________________________________________________________


"You must be a master in problem solving if you are to live a great life.  Nothing else works."

                                                                 The BuddhaKahuna


Create a solid understanding of the problem solving process and then master its use by using the guidance of selected forms from below.


NECESSARY "FORM"

Just a little bit of writing and using a systematic process does wonders!

Why in writing?  Because that is what works.  Oral most often does not work; it is the lazy way "out" (of trying to use a shortcut).  (See Why Put It In Writing.)

Taken from the Problem Solving main page and Psychological Methods page.  These are in word, so you can type into these.  See the forms under Decision Making, for making quick decisions or going more in depth.  Related to problem solving is The Process Of Changing (doing what is necessary to change the problem behavior).


THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS, SIMPLIFIED

What results do I want? --> What is the reality? --> Plan steps --> Act 

Identifying "reality" starts with properly identifying "what happened", including what caused it, as you want to change the cause if you want to change the result.


HOW TO ASSURE YOU PROBLEM-SOLVE REGULARLY AND COMPLETELY - AND SKYROCKET YOUR LIFE

Set up "My Journal Of Improvement" (can be a loose leaf notebook) and start your dramatic upward curve!

Set up in a loose leaf notebook, a copy of the list below (highlight it and then print "selection") and copies of all of the forms you'll use so that you have them immediately accessible for perusing and using.


QUICK REFERENCE TO FORMS TO USE (For standard problems and also for behavior or psychological problems) - Copy this to document and put in Reminders book, or set his page up under favorites.  


SIMPLEST:      

*1 1/3 Page Traditional Simple (Clear definition, causes, select solution)
Ben Franklin "T" Decision System (Simple pros and cons, weighted; useful in deciding between
     strategies)


QUICK:

*Problem-Solving/Goal-Setting Sheet (1 page, including impact, what I really want, who I was/am
   being, actions.  Usable also for behavioral and emotion related.)
Problem/Barrier/Solution - Three columns: route that caused the problem; the problem, barrier, factor; and new route, which is signed off as workable and doable.  See example:  Exercise           

   Related and/or supportive:

          Generating ideas:  Challenge - 20 Ideas (Generates ideas for solutions.)  Use daily/weekly.
          Psych oriented:
                  Self-Talk, Directly Converting (Just record a conversation, then in second column, create
                        what is true and is a higher conversation)  
                  The Truth Test (Simple format to use, effective) 
                  See:  Relaxed, Centered, In Touch, 3 Minutes At A Time (Scan, allies, mantra) and
                           Focusing (scanning, identifying, accepting, nourishing)     
  
MEDIUM LENGTH:

Problem Solution-Finding More Thorough Approach -2 page form (Definition, effects, causes, severity, psychological barriers/blindspots, solutions, commitments, agreements)
Breakdown To Breakthrough, Simpler Version (Result, payoffs, costs, causes, beliefs, attitude/being, results wanted, necessary to get the results, actions list, decision/commitment)    

Supportive:  Problem Resolution Checklist (All the steps in resolving a problem

Psych:

"Rational Analysis" (Facts and events, self-talk, emotional consequences, checking facts, rational debate, emotional goal, resulting in new beliefs and perceptions)

Psychological Perspective Problem Forms (Short form and long form; what happened; what said to self, consequences, worst that could happen, probable outcome, questioning/disputing, answers, new perspective statement

Thought Change Record (Event, automatic thoughts, emotions, logical thoughts, outcome; lists types of distorted thinking possibly used; designed to create new thoughts/beliefs)

What My "Child" Is Saying (Recoring what inner child says, feels, helps identify what is going on; adding comfort and support statements also)

Habit Change Form (Write out payoff, effects, reasons for change, see Habits for discussion and other relevant forms)
 
                                        
IN DEPTH:  (Note that the medium forms can be pretty in-depth also.) 

Psych & Behavioral:

Psychological Perspective Problem Forms (Short form and long form; what happened; what said to self, consequences, worst that could happen, probable outcome, questioning/disputing, answers, new perspective statement

Breakdown/Breakthrough Long Form - Looks at the payoffs for doing the unproductive behavior, the cost, any beliefs and/or ways of being that didn't work and what substitutes would work, and the actions that will be taken to cause the new behavior or approach, together with a commitment.

     Completed Example of The Breakdown/Breakthrough Form Completion Version - Actual example of a
         real situation, including a more indepth reference to show how deep one can go, for greater results! 
         Related to Rageful Envy - Barbara, linked from the

Creating The Desired Results - The Process - If you are not yet getting the results you want yet, follow these steps to successful completion, including how you are "being".

To really get into the nitty gritty, where it is important, use this management consulting process that works wonders (with your application):  The Playscript Procedure. 


CONTENTS OF THIS QUICK OVERVIEW/PERSPECTIVE

Problem is just a gap
The pieces are always...
Doing what is needed - or not
________________________________________________________


A PROBLEM IS JUST A GAP

Problem = Gap between What Is And What Is Wanted 
 
    An undesired outcome is often called a "breakdown", thus the forms above.

Problem Solving Process = Whatever helps close the gap


THE PIECES ARE ALWAYS - A SIMPLE LIST

Define
    What happened
    The cause (behaviors, attitudes, ways of being, self talk, beliefs)
    The effect (payoffs, costs, impact, consequences)
Generate possible solutions
     Investigate, learn as needed
Evaluate
     Select best alternative
Commit/agree
     Specify what one is committed to and agreements
Plan, action list
     List all that is to be done, with dates
    

DOING WHAT IS NEEDED - OR NOT

If someone does not want to go through this process, then they are saying the cost of the effort is not worth much and they prefer to keep the problem. 

People with problems, obviously, are people who haven't solved problems.  If someone has ongoing problems in anything, this is a wake up call to get into gear and solve these, so that you are not repeating the bad effects over and over.  Doing a little bit of work on these is, believe you me, much easier than reexperiencing that same problem over and over.


WHERE LEARNING AND COMPLETION COME IN - TO ELIMINATE ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS

Read "Life, Problems, And Learning - How to be free of your problems" this to see why you need to involve learning and also why you need to have full completion in order to not have to reexperience any problems in life.

See this. 

Be convinced of its necessity. 

Understand it. 

Follow it. 

And you'll arrive at "enlightened" and happy.