Life throws us up many different crises in its short duration, but its how we deal with them that determines our fate. The key thing to remember is that no how dire the situation may seem there’s always a way out and if you apply the correct problem solving techniques then you should be able to find it.

Problems in life come in many shapes and sizes and they can get to us at work, in relationships, in our leisure pursuits or in simple crises of confidence. If you’re feeling stressed or depressed then, the first and single most important of the problem solving techniques is to be able to identify that problem and find out exactly what it is that’s making your life a misery. Only once you’ve identified the source of your stress can you go about fixing the problem. Maybe it’s that you’re dissatisfied at work, maybe it’s that the love of your life doesn’t even notice you, or maybe it’s that you’ve made a bad mistake and now have to pick up the pieces. Whatever the source of your issue you need to locate it before you can solve it.

Then the most important problem solving technique begins - time and thought. These really are the ultimate medicine for problems in life and if you have a problem that needs to be solved then you have to have faith in your own ability to come up with a solution. Take some time out on your own - if you can’t get any piece and quiet then bed offers the best place for quiet contemplation, as does your car if you have a long journey to make. Then simply apply all your mental power to the problem and don’t stop until you have a satisfactory answer.

This may sound overly simple but the power of the human mind is incredible. If you concentrate hard enough you can tap into that and conduct a plan. So the girl you like doesn’t notice you? How can you make her notice you? So you’re dissatisfied at work - what are you going to do, quit? Do extra work from home? Talk to your boss about it? So you’ve made a big mistake, how can you undo it? How can you make amends to those who’ve been affected? The truth of the matter is that this process can potentially take all night, but once you’ve come up with a definite solution you will find yourself feeling much better. This way the end is in sight and you have a proactive action plan.

Of course sometimes you will think all night and you won’t come up with a solution In these scenarios you may need to get help from an outside source and like they say - two heads are better than one and talking to people is one of the best problem solving techniques out there. Of course this can be tricky if you’re ashamed of your problem, or if it’s otherwise secretive - though do know that in a lot of situations often just coming clean and explaining yourself to those involved can be the best way out.

Help can come from other sources however and doing research online can be one great example. Read about people going through the same problem and how they dealt with the situation, perhaps there are some famous or fictional examples you can look to for inspiration? Underage pregnancy? Well maybe watch Juno and see how she copes with it in that (I’ve never seen it so I wouldn’t know, but who knows it might be helpful?). The internet offers an even better option however through it’s use of anonymity - and this way you can post questions online in forums and in chat rooms and without any need to expose yourself. You’ll likely find a large selection of helpful and not so helpful answers within the answer but if nothing else it will make you smile.

Failing this there are always the professional routes to go down and there are many services available that can help you talk through your problem such as help lines and counsellors. There are other books you can read to even when you don’t have any problems in particular that can help you deal with them when they do arise - self help books, or better, books on psychology and tactics such as The Prince by Machiavelli or The Art of War by Sun Tsu. Once you start to get good at problem solving techniques you’ll find you have much more control over your life, and then you can start applying them to bigger issues too. Unhappy that your favourite TV programme’s been axed? Get writing petitions… the sky is really the limit if you just put in enough time and thought.

Mack LeMouse

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