Some Thoughts on Problem Solving
No matter what paths we follow in our lives, one of the most useful skills that we can develop is that of problem solving. It won't always be easy to solve the problems that life may throw in our paths... but by identifying problems and by approaching them rationally, we can make things simpler. We'll feel that we can gain some control over things. As a result, we may avoid a tendency to feel powerless, frustrated, anxious or angry.
In developing a problem solving approach, we may need to step back from ourselves at times. How? Well, first of all, we must recognise that something is a problem (not always easy!) and that we may not immediately know how to deal with it. We also need to recognise any emotional response we may have towards it and keep things in perspective. For example, a prolonged reaction of panic, or anxiety, may compound a problem. Why? Because we may feel overwhelmed by the reaction and unable, therefore, to proceed in a constructive manner. This does not mean that the emotional responses we experience are necessarily 'bad'. It simply means that they may distort our view of things and that we need to work through them, in order to deal with a problem. (Working through an emotional response involves recognising the blocks it may cause for us. Sometimes it can help to talk with a Counsellor about this.)
Identifying problems and constructive approaches to them
Most of us experience times when we feel overwhelmed by things. We're not sure what to do, where to begin. For example, students can feel overwhelmed in trying to balance study and employment needs, as well as trying to make time for a social life. Sounds familiar? Well, for argument's sake, let's identify this problem as one of 'too many commitments and too little time'. A constructive approach could be to look at your time management. You know you have X number of hours on campus and you know that you have Y number of hours that you have to work in your part-time job. You also need time for your coursework and for your other needs. How do you fit it all in? Begin by taking a critical look at the way you use your time. Are you really using it to your best advantage? Should you think about prioritising your commitments and cutting back on some of them? (for example, if you're working more hours in your job than you need to, maybe you should think about reducing your employment hours.) You might also need to look at your motivation to change the way you use your time. This can be an important issue. Whatever the case, you'll need to consider constructive changes, once you've identified a problem.
Identifying resources
Another common problem relates to feeling that we lack resources to get things done. Take the following scenario: You've chosen to attempt a particular essay question, only to find that it's more complex than you first thought it would be. Your time is limited, you start to worry about how you'll meet the deadline. What to do? First of all, check your emotional response so you don't slip into 'panic' mode. Then, consider the problem and determine what resources (apart from time) you need to do the essay. This is very important. The next step is to access those resources. Check out other libraries off campus, if need be, and also the internet. Then, study this material and take relevant notes- you'll be refining your resources. Develop a broad understanding of the question. If time permits, access additional resources such as wider reading material. Then you can develop an essay plan and start writing. Of course, you must be realistic about how much you can reasonably achieve in the time you have! (There are Writing Skills Programs held on campus for Macquarie students- phone 9850 8770 or 9850 8740 for information- but remember you have to enroll early in Semester).
Use these same principles in dealing with other problems you encounter. That is, first of all define the problem, then think about it rationally and decide what resources you need and how to access them.
Making a plan
You'll need to make a plan to deal with the problem, based on rational analysis and consideration of your resources. It can help to write it down, step by step, stating the problem and the desired outcome. Avoid getting bogged down in too much detail.
Taking appropriate action
People often get stuck here. Why? It might seem out of character to them because they're not used to taking such a rational approach to problems. Maybe lack self-esteem or assertiveness hinders their progress. They may have difficulty in being decisive. Or, they may be apprehensive about the reactions of others, if they change their behaviour in this way. Whatever the reason(s), it is very important to follow through on a plan, to complete the process. (Note that in some situations you may reasonably decide that the best strategy is to avoid or delay taking action!). By doing this, you'll prove to yourself that you can be rational, assertive and decisive, as circumstances may require. Once you've made a decision and acted accordingly, the best thing then is to put the issue behind you. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in endless worrying about whether or not you've done the right thing. Your energy should be used in more positive ways. In other words, keep moving forward.
The importance of relaxation
We've talked about emotional responses, such as panic or anxiety, that people may have when faced with problems. These feelings can be counter-productive if they are prolonged. They may also lead to physical anxiety, such as agitation and restlessness. If this is the case for you, then some relaxation training, such as slow breathing exercises or Progressive Muscular Relaxation (P.M.R.) may help. (If you want to find out more about this, Herbert Benson's "The Relaxation Response" is a good introduction. Also, some of the University Counsellors teach these techniques to students). Above all, remember that a certain level of anxiety is natural when dealing with uncertainty or with unfamiliar situations. It becomes a problem only when we feel it's excessive. Through relaxation, we can learn to develop control over our emotional and/or physiological responses so that we can be more effective in solving problems.
And finally, a few words about negative thinking
The way we think about certain situations can be counter-productive at times. We may be inclined to dwell on what we perceive as past failures and believe that we are likely repeat our mistakes. It can make us feel hesitant about taking action. In order to really benefit from a problem solving approach, we need to be able to challenge these sorts of negative thoughts. So, look critically at the way you think about yourself. Try to challenge negative assumptions. This should help you to develop a more rational and productive approach to problems.
In summary, then, effective problem solving involves the following steps:
- Identifying what the problem is
- Recognising your emotional responses and working through them, as necessary
- Thinking rationally about the problem
- Identifying the resources you need as well as constructive approaches
- Making a plan
- Following through with appropriate action
If you would like to talk with a University Counsellor about problem solving or about any other issues affecting your studies or your personal life, the University Counsellors are located on Level 2 of the Lincoln Student Services Building at Macquarie University. Our telephone number is (02) 9850 7497 and Office Hours are 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m.
Further Reading
Emotional Intelligence Goleman, Daniel
Managing Stress: A Lifestyle Approach Barlow, David and Rapee, Ron
The Relaxation Response Benson, Herbert
You and Stress Montgomery, Bob and Evans, Lynette