4 ways to solve any problem

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

There are no hopeless situations. A life hacker will tell you how to solve a problem in any area of life using a simple algorithm.

Possible solutions

Whether you're looking for a new gadget, a relationship with a partner, or the overstated demands of a new boss, you have four ways to get rid of that feeling:

• change yourself and your behavior;
• change the situation;
• get out of the situation;
• change your attitude to the situation.

Undoubtedly, there is still an option to leave everything as it is, but this is definitely not about solving the problem.

That's it, the list is over. No matter how hard you try, you can't think of anything else. And if you want to reflect on how to proceed, then I propose to do the following steps.

Algorithm of actions

1. Formulate the problem in the first person

The problems “The world has not yet created the gadget that I need”, “He does not care about me” and “The boss is a beast, demands the impossible” are insoluble. But the problems “I cannot find a gadget that meets my criteria”, “I feel unhappy because my partner does not care about me” and “I cannot do what my boss demands of me” are quite workable.

2. Analyze your problem

Proceed from the four solutions presented above:

• You can change yourself and your behavior: reconsider your requirements for a gadget, ask a partner to show concern, or learn to do what your boss requires.
• You can make a difference: create your own gadget that would ideally meet your criteria, talk to a partner about your feelings, or have your boss get fired.
• You can get out of the situation: decide not to buy a gadget at all, part with a partner or quit.
• You can change your attitude towards the situation: read reviews on forums and evaluate how much you need just such a gadget; talk to a psychologist and find out how you can take care of yourself; turning to the philosophy of Buddhism, come to terms with the character of the boss and not take his requirements to heart.

3. Think about which method suits you best

Perhaps you will realize that you would like to combine several of them, for example, change your attitude to the situation and then change your behavior. Or maybe you will first consider several methods to choose from. This is fine.

4. Choose one, two or even three ways to brainstorm yourself

Take a piece of paper and a pen. For each method, write as many options as possible to solve the problem. At this stage, discard all filters ("indecent", "impossible", "ugly", "embarrassing" and others) and write down everything that comes to mind.

For example:

Change yourself and your behavior
I can't find a gadget that matches my criteria	I feel unhappy because my partner doesn't care about me.	I cannot do what my boss demands of me
Change criteria. Timeout search. Write to developers	Ask for concern. Tell me how I would like him to be caring. Give thanks when he cares	Learn to do it. Explain why I cannot do this. Ask someone to do it

For inspiration:

• Imagine a person whom you respect and who could definitely help you. What options for solving the problem would he suggest?
• Ask friends and acquaintances for help: brainstorming in a company is more fun.

5. Look at the list of all the options for solving your problem

Choose the one that suits you best in the given situation.

6. Answer yourself the following questions

• What do I need to do to make this decision a reality?
• What can hinder me and how can I overcome it?
• Who can help me do this?
• What will I do in the next three days to start solving my problem?

7. Take action

Without real action, all this thinking and analysis is a waste of time. You will definitely succeed! And remember:

A hopeless situation is a situation where you don't like the obvious way out.