Do You Use These 8 Secrets for Problem Solving?

Have you noticed that in spite of the current “bad” economy, many people are thriving? This may be because they see opportunities where other people see problems. I recently had a discussion with someone who was being a negative-aholic. I realized that this person actually got a type of perverse pleasure in his/her gloom and doom outlook.

So I was very refreshed when I read my friend, Denise Webster’s, recent article about finding solutions to problems on her blog. She had a list of things to do when you have a problem. Here is that list in my own words:

1. Define your problem. Many people have a problem, but they’re not quite sure what it is. For example, they might not feel they have enough money, but they never define exactly what enough money is for them.
2. Know there is a solution. You may not know what the solution is right now, but at least you can believe there is one.
3. Picture the OUTCOME you desire. Focus on this outcome or goal, and not on the problem. Write down or draw the desired outcome. In the example above of not having enough money, you would write down, “I have $XXX of money.”
4. Move your feet. Yes literally, move your feet. Put your worry aside and start to do something. This can be jogging, cleaning, bookkeeping, almost anything. You don’t have to be working on your particular struggle.
5. Listen. Because you have followed the four steps above, when you begin to move, you will receive inspiration. You will have thoughts of things you should do. These might be someone you should call or someplace you should go. In the example above, you may think you need to call your uncle Jake.
6. Just Do It. Follow your thoughts. Don’t dismiss them as irrelevant; instead realize that they are inspiration that will help you. So in the example above, give your Uncle Jake a call, even though you haven’t talked to him in ages.
7. Keep moving. We learn as we solve problems. Sometimes it takes many steps to actually get to our goal. Along the way, we grow into stronger and better individuals. We also learn to listen more closely to our inspired thoughts. In the example above, your Uncle Jake might be just one step along the road. He might refer you to someone else who can help you. Or maybe he has a job you feel is beneath you, but you take it anyway because you need the money and it grows into something wonderful. You will never know unless you make the call you felt inspired to make.
8. Be grateful. It is important to be grateful for the things we have, for the journey we are on, and for our lives. I am a firm believer in God and so I pray when I am grateful. Even if you don’t believe in God, it is still important to be grateful.

So, how do you solve problems? Can you add any additional things you do to the steps above?