When you’re presented with a complex new project or a problem arises at work, it makes sense to ask “Why?” “Why did this happen?” “Why are we taking this approach?” “Why are we responsible for this?” The whys are certainly important. But when you’re trying to find a solution to a difficult problem, the better(…)
Every day, we’re faced with a variety of problems that demand solutions. Some of these problems are small and simple, while others are large, complex, and confusing. We face problems at home and at work. Being able to solve these problems is essential to our personal and professional well-being. Our level of happiness corresponds to(…)
Every day, we’re faced with a variety of problems that demand solutions. In order to be successful, we must be able to adapt rapidly to change, take the initiative, exercise our judgment, and solve problems creatively and competently. Researchers have found that certain strategies can help people to solve problems more easily. These strategies are(…)
Do you like to get creative in your spare time? After work, do you like to dream up new recipes, fix old cars, knit, write, paint, take pictures, or engage in some other sort of creative activity? If so, here’s some good news! Your hobby is probably making you a more effective employee. … According(…)
Let’s imagine that a problem has cropped up at work and you’re not sure what to do. It would make sense to seek out a knowledgeable coworker and get that person’s advice. But before you do that, here’s something to keep in mind – the way in which you ask for advice can have a(…)
If you’re responsible for providing customers with assistance and troubleshooting problems, I’m sure you occasionally have to deal with an angry person. People get frustrated when things don’t go their way, and unfortunately, they sometimes take it out on the people who are trying to help them. Getting yelled at by angry customers is upsetting.(…)
I recently read about an odd problem-solving technique. According to author Josh Waitzkin, there’s no need to spend your waking hours trying to solve a complex or troubling problem. He believes that as long as you follow the proper steps, you can solve difficult problems while your sleep. (Talk about multi-tasking!) Here’s what you need(…)
Do you ever daydream while you’re at work? If you do, you might think that you’re wasting time and being unproductive. But actually, research has shown that this isn’t the case. You may not realize it, but daydreaming is actually a good problem-solving technique! Studies have shown that it can benefit you in the following(…)
At work, we’re sometimes presented with problems that can’t be solved quickly or easily. And sometimes, after working on a certain problem, it becomes evident that there is no solution at all. This can be really disheartening, and it may lead us to believe that our time and effort has been wasted. But in reality,(…)
There’s an old adage that goes, “don’t re-invent the wheel” when it comes to creating new concepts, programs, or projects. Instead, try making something better through innovation! A simple way to define innovation is to think of it as problem solving. Contrary to what many people may think, innovation is different from invention, in that when you(…)