For some people, the whole process of ‘thinking critically,’ or being able to problem solve, comes naturally; for most, though, the entire subject is a problem in itself. It’s one of the reasons why there are so many companies/services available for people to buy or use for things that they could likely do themselves should they have the know-how. Here are a few steps to take should you feel ‘in a problem.’
1. Identify
This might sound like a really simple step, one most people ‘step over,’ which is slightly short-sighted, really, considering that it’s the root cause of the situation. The first and most important step is to identify precisely what the problem is; without knowing what you are dealing with, there is no way on earth that you’ll be able to tackle it. The best part of this step, and one that, much like human centred design, everybody should employ, is to educate themselves about whatever it is that they have a problem with. Even if, after learning more about the ‘issue,’ they still go ahead and employ the services of a professional to get the job done for them, the point is though, 90% of the time, they needn’t have.
2. Educate Yourself
Once you’ve identified the problem, or at least think that you’ve narrowed it down, this is where step number two should kick in. For most people, though, it’s bad news; instead of educating themselves on what they are dealing with, they usually turn to somebody else for help, either a friend who probably has less of a clue than they do or a paid professional.
3. Solution Time
If you’ve already decided that you’re going to pay a professional to ‘fix’ your problem, then you kind of already have your solution. If, on the other hand, you made the smart move and are going to take things into your own hands and make things right by yourself, then you’re going to need some inspiration.
The great thing is, anybody can pretty much do anything these days with the help of the Internet, of course. Literally, anything you want or need to know is available at the tip of your fingers; you’ve likely got a solution in your hand right now; learning how to use your search engine effectively should be the first port of call!
4. Into Action
The final, really important step is to put everything into action and to put things right so that you can move onwards and upwards. You’ve identified your problem; you’ve educated yourself so that you understand what it is you’re dealing with, and you’ve done your research to know what needs to be done.
Now, quite simply, get on and do it; get it done! As simple as it may sound, this is another major step where people cave in; the actual getting on and doing it partly is essential and should not be taken lightly.
Remember, failure to complete all steps will result in a complete failure of what you set out to tackle in the first place, most likely presenting you with another problem that you didn’t need in the first place!
