YOU A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing and contributor problem solver

YOU - A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing

and contributor problem solver
Benjamin S C Ugoji

Source: http://bit.ly/1IE0csh
There is a common axiom, and it goes this way. What you focus on increases. By the same token if
you focus on problems the problem increase. If you focus on solution the problem is solved. Who do
want to become? Problem oriented or solution oriented. You decide. But at any moment in different
areas of our life we succumb to either of these roles. You can decide NOW to develop a solution
oriented mind-set or a problem oriented mind-set. Lets have a play a game by developing a simple
thought experiment to show the import of these two roles problem and solution oriented mind
set. Imagine that now as you are reading this that you have a named problem in a particular area of
your life and this problem needs a solution to free you from the effect (s) of the problem. What is
the thought of this problem make you feel each time you remember it? Compare it with a solution
to the problem each time you remember it. Lets hypothetically imagine that the thought of the
problems bring with them negative emotions of fear, limitations, powerlessness. Toss the coin
around and look at the other side of the coin where you think about the solutions to the problems. I

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YOU A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing and contributor problem solver

bet it bring with it positive emotions of faith, empowerment, power. Well as an exercise you can
look for other possible emotions derivable form both experiences.
Who do you want to become? A problem solver or a person ridden with problems that you lose
focus of who you are. You have the ability to choose and become who you want to become. This is
the power of decision. Problem solvers are in demand. They are highly paid and rewarded because
of the value they bring in the market place. They are leaders and entrepreneurs in their own right.
The aim of this article is to challenge you to become a problem solver and to give you a basic lesson
in problem solving and how you can make a fortune in any field doing it.

Problems as Opportunities
How you see problems as challenge or opportunity? I think that there is value in any given problem.
But the value in the problem can only be seen from the standpoint of how you look at the problem.
If you are poor there is reason for you to being poor. I think that if you are rational enough in your
thinking you can desire to be rich. But the problem is first and foremost in the way you think about
the problem what you focus on. Do you focus on your present predicament or steps you take to
alleviate it? If you focus on the cause the effect will seize. But the problem is that of being able to
see things in a new way. Why do people see opportunities in problem whereas others see a dead
end result obstacles, considerations and fear of moving forward? You have to see problems as the
difference between what one wants. Being able to think this way and create the solution that you
like, want or desire is key to looking at problems as opportunities.

Types of problems
Problems come in different forms, shapes and sizes. But most of the circumstance that appear as
problem at one time may become extinct as you learn to grow as a person. There are three types of
problems according to Edward de Bono in his book mechanisms of the mind.

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YOU A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing and contributor problem solver

1. Problems that require the processing of available information or collection of more

information.
2. The problems of no problem. Where the acceptance of an adequate state of affairs
precludes consideration of a change to a better state.
3. Problems that are solved by re-structuring of the information already been processed into a
pattern.
The first type of the problem can be solved by mathematical thinking or logical thinking or collection
of more information.
The other two types can be solved by the use of lateral thinking. So what is lateral thinking?
It is the ability to rearrange available information so that it is perceived out of the established
pattern so as to form new and better pattern. This new orientation of the established pattern is
likened to insight. Eventually, it requires real understanding and manipulation of the universe of
perception which is self-organizing, pattern-making and pattern using systems.
The ability to overcome a problem depends on two factors:
An accurate perception of the issue and a well-planned course of steps towards a solution; it
involves both conceptual, strategic and outcome thinking. It is about having an idea of the solution
as well as the implementation strategies.
Strategy means designing a giant interlocking jigsaw puzzle.
-

Charles Williams .., Merchant Banker

When struggling with a problem, you need to be able to see the big picture as well as the detail. This
will enable you to chunk down the problem so that you can work through each stage logically. Learn
to ask questions concerning the problem. For example the why question will help you to see the

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YOU A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing and contributor problem solver

value and belief around the problem. It elicits the possibilities and opportunities that might arise
from the problem situation.

Problem solving skill 101

Source: http://timvandevall.com/fishbone-diagram-template/

Brain first then work Eeyre in Winnie the Pooh; A A Milne

Developing a logical approach to problems will give you greater confidence in your ability to find
solutions to them. There are six levels to follow in routing from problem to solution.
Level 1: Define the problem. What is exactly is the problem? Why is it a problem? These questions
are very important to enable you to elicit the problem.
Level 2: Determine the extent of the problem. How many areas does the problem affect? When does
it occur all the time or only at specific time?
Why is this specific factor a cause?
Level 3: Clarify goals. What steps do you need to reach the solution?
Level 4: Generate options. This is where you apply brainstorming to generate options to tackle the
problem. How many options do I have? What are the possible outcome (short, medium and long
term) of each?
Level 3: Gather feedback. How can I test my chosen options quickly and easily? Where can I get
further information or guidance?
Level 6: Take action

Make your own good fortune from problem to profitable solution

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YOU A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing and contributor problem solver

People who make a living solving problems are rewarded handsomely. You can develop this knack of
problem solving where you look for the benefits of opportunities that present themselves every
time. You become an innovator or entrepreneur. Follow these simple ideas that are actionable.
1. Spot the opportunity or identify a problem and provide the solution. The idea here is to look
for the benefit or value you bring to your customers by solving the problem.
2. Providing the solution will require you to go to work with working out the some possible
ways of making most of the opportunity or solving the problem. It is a skill in think divergent
and convergent to create an outcome.
3. Select the solution
4. Go live with the solution
In this creative and innovative stance you vacillate into different protagonists as you seek to bring
the value that you desire into the market place. The table below is a summary of these roles from
the book: Make your own good fortune. How to seize Lifes opportunities. Essential to transforming
your life by Douglas Miller.
Roger Von Oechs
roles
Explorer Inspiration
Doctor Investigator

Competence analysis

Stage (a) or
Spotting opportunities
The search engine
Stage 1 (b) out of
What is the problem?
Incompatibility
which comes a goal
- Then
Stage 2
Possible solutions
Artist Imagination
The download
Stage 3
Make right decisions
Judge Instigate
Filtering
Stage 4
Take action
Warrior Impact
You are connected
Goal
Source: The road map from opportunity to action (with modifications) p. 22 by Douglas Miller

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YOU A PROBLEM SOLVER: How to grow yourself into a learning, growing and contributor problem solver

Conclusion
There are great benefits to becoming a problem solver. You become a thought leader, entrepreneur,
and value creator in your own right in your chosen market place. As you learn to grow and
contribute youll be rewarded both financially and emotionally according to the value, quantity,
quality you consistently bring to the market place.
About the Author:

Benjamin S C Ugoji, an empowerment expert with SelfGrowth and the author of Success Mastery
Education. He is has written articles, programs and books in the area of leadership,
management, entrepreneurship and personal development. He is the founder of Progress Path
Mastery Education. He writes for Hubpages and Scribd. You can contact him through his email
via this link.

Resources
If you want to learn how to turn your passion into profit (cash); you can buy my eBook on this
subject by clicking this link:
http://bit.ly/1wOF9xr
You can find about other related works by the author via this link:
http://bit.ly/1spnaRN

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