Ivy Keating's Blog - Posts Tagged "problemsolving"
Only 3?
I believe there are only 3 ways to deal with a problem. We can either (1) do nothing or try to ignore it, (2) attempt to cope, or (3) work on a solution. Depending on the situation any one of these could work, but coping or solving are probably the best choices.
Problems can be ignored, but they often don't go away. If you tend to be lazy, it may not bother you to miss an outing with friends, but the tendency to be lazy could be a major problem when looking for a publisher for your new book. If you opt to ignore a problem, take note if it's stopping you from reaching your goals. Identifying a characteristic that's standing in your way is the first step to changing it.
Attempting to cope with a problem might be the perfect in-between step when you'd actually like to work on an issue but feel overwhelmed by it. For example, let's say you completed a novel. You send it to a bunch of publishers, and everyone rejects it. Initially, you may need to check your feelings. Rejections don't have to mean it's time to give up. Rejections can mean you haven't found the right publisher for your book, or your novel needs work but still has a lot of potential. Taking the time to "cope" can give you the level-head necessary to make the right choices going forward.
The third choice when faced with a problem is to try and solve it. You have your wits about you, and you're ready to do the behaviors necessary to work on it. In the example of not finding a publisher, you've recognized that a rewrite is needed, or maybe you have decided that there are publishers out there that could be a better fit.
Being aware of our difficulties, and thinking about the best way to manage them, can help us cope with a problem. Recognizing these 3 strategies can help us choose the right one when needed. Difficulties that are ignored could hold us back. Managing our feelings could help us choose the right path. And, solving the problem can take us closer to our goals!
Problems can be ignored, but they often don't go away. If you tend to be lazy, it may not bother you to miss an outing with friends, but the tendency to be lazy could be a major problem when looking for a publisher for your new book. If you opt to ignore a problem, take note if it's stopping you from reaching your goals. Identifying a characteristic that's standing in your way is the first step to changing it.
Attempting to cope with a problem might be the perfect in-between step when you'd actually like to work on an issue but feel overwhelmed by it. For example, let's say you completed a novel. You send it to a bunch of publishers, and everyone rejects it. Initially, you may need to check your feelings. Rejections don't have to mean it's time to give up. Rejections can mean you haven't found the right publisher for your book, or your novel needs work but still has a lot of potential. Taking the time to "cope" can give you the level-head necessary to make the right choices going forward.
The third choice when faced with a problem is to try and solve it. You have your wits about you, and you're ready to do the behaviors necessary to work on it. In the example of not finding a publisher, you've recognized that a rewrite is needed, or maybe you have decided that there are publishers out there that could be a better fit.
Being aware of our difficulties, and thinking about the best way to manage them, can help us cope with a problem. Recognizing these 3 strategies can help us choose the right one when needed. Difficulties that are ignored could hold us back. Managing our feelings could help us choose the right path. And, solving the problem can take us closer to our goals!
Root of the Problem
I've been thinking about writer's block. The phrase doesn't sit right with me. It makes me think of the physical act of writing, and more often the root of my block is with the direction of the plot. I guess I'd prefer to call it a creative block.
But the point is, it's actually very important to properly identify a problem. Giving something an inaccurate label can create a complication that doesn't exist. If in my mind the term 'writer's block' makes me think of the written word, I might think the solution is to sit at my computer and type out different storylines. However, if I believe my problem is really which direction the plot should go in, I might take a very different approach, leave my desk and walk around outside where I can clear my mind and think.
Here's another example of the importance of accurately identifying a problem. Yesterday I woke up with my heartbeat going a little faster than usual. I immediately thought I was feeling anxious. I tried to think if something was upsetting me from the night before. Then I realized I forgot to turn my fan on. It wasn't anxiety; I was simply too warm! It's easy to see how working on the wrong problem here would not only not solve the situation but could also create an issue where one never existed.
Next time you're having some difficulty, take a moment to think about the source. Properly identifying a problem is the first step to solving it!
But the point is, it's actually very important to properly identify a problem. Giving something an inaccurate label can create a complication that doesn't exist. If in my mind the term 'writer's block' makes me think of the written word, I might think the solution is to sit at my computer and type out different storylines. However, if I believe my problem is really which direction the plot should go in, I might take a very different approach, leave my desk and walk around outside where I can clear my mind and think.
Here's another example of the importance of accurately identifying a problem. Yesterday I woke up with my heartbeat going a little faster than usual. I immediately thought I was feeling anxious. I tried to think if something was upsetting me from the night before. Then I realized I forgot to turn my fan on. It wasn't anxiety; I was simply too warm! It's easy to see how working on the wrong problem here would not only not solve the situation but could also create an issue where one never existed.
Next time you're having some difficulty, take a moment to think about the source. Properly identifying a problem is the first step to solving it!
