Advanced Problem Solving 301

Test Crash

What does it take to really problem solve?

Problem solving begins with the problem solver--YOU! Nothing is as important as preparing yourself by (1) letting go and sleeping on it, (2) learning to get a new vision of the same territory, and then (3)  estimating the impact of results.  It is this third area that we must get clearly in mind-- it is called the bias of anticipated results.  Tests show that we usually over-estimate the negative and underestimate the positive.  Look at the picture.  Exact testing gives the car manufacturer--or Consumer Reports--the precise impact which can be measured.  Our brains are conditioned by experience.  We are more than likely to anticipate and expect the negative than the positive.

For problem solving, this piece of information is invaluable.  Perhaps the real lesson is that we sometimes condition the results into self-fulfilling prophecies.  If we going into a problem thinking positively, then we may just prepare the ground and the way forward for positive results.

The point is that all problem solving in the most effective ways begins with the Problem Solver.  The most important question just may be:

"Do you really have a problem? 

Why is it a problem for you?" 

And then prepare yourself to work with it...

Give yourself time,  

Let go.  

Shape expectations positively.