Don't Tell Me My Problem is Small, Tell Me HOW to Solve My Problem

You must have come across this very often: a troubled person (can be your staff or a friend) find that his problem is too big and come to you for advise. When we find that his problem is actually quite trivial, we tell him that other people have bigger problems too and they can solve them without much fuss.  "Think positive, and always look for solutions, and the solutions will be there" is what we often tell him. 

Well, thinking positive is good, for it is a starting point.  But merely thinking without the right solution will not get you to anywhere.  You have to provide the solution. To me, this is How I solve problems in the following 4 steps:

1. There is a Problem.  This problem is troubling you now, but you are not the problem.  In other words, we separate the person from the problem.  Like you have incurred parking fines, but you are not the problem, it is the act of parking illegally that is the problem.  
2. Root Cause of Problem.  We have to determine the root cause, the chief cause of the problem.  Do not confuse the symptoms of the problem with the root cause. Like the root cause of parking fines is not the lack of parking but lack of planning or a troubled mind.  
3. Solution is Possible, though it may not be immediate or evident right now.  This solution must be a permanent solution, not a temporary one that just please people.  
4. Pathway to the Solution.  At this step you show people the pathway, which I typically called the Eight-Fold Pathway:

• Take the Right View.  Look at the problem from the right angle, not your distorted angle.  For example, the parking fine problem can be viewed from carelessness and not some mischief.
• Think Right.  Who caused this problem?  Definitely not the lack of parking spaces (for this can be determined before-hand and alternative solutions can be found).  Think objectively, and think positively.
• Be Mindful.  To solve the problem, need to be mindful of the solutions and how they may cause current or future problems. 
• Speak Out.  You have to open your mouth to discuss the solution to the problem, bring up your problem to the right authorities, ask for help or simply talk your way out.
• Take Right Action.  After speaking out, you will derive the right solution.  It's time to take the right action.
• Take Action with Sufficient Effort.  Not just take action, but take sufficient effort action.  This means not to give up too easily
• Concentrate on the Solution until the problem is solved
• Livelihood.  Tell me how my daily life may have to change to solve the problem. This last step is often missed, for people often solve problems without considering how it affects people's daily lives.  We know that we have to change continuously, and to solve problems we have to change ourselves and the way we carry on our lives.  Using the parking fine as an example, the solution lies in being mindful, and the person has to be mindful in every aspect of his live, not just in parking.

By Andy Ng of Asia Trainers, details of courses are found here.  Related articles on problem solving and creativity:

1. The Fast Way to Solving Any Problem in the World
2. How people make problems out of no problems in 5 ways
3. No. 1 Solution that Few People Teach You, especially in sales
4. A dirty 4-letter Word When You've Got a Problem
5. A Better Way to Handle Criticisms
6. The 7 Fetters of Highly Effective People
7. How Confucius Did it