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How to Face Problems in Your Life

Last Updated: February 6, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS . Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 272,959 times.

Having problems in your life can feel overwhelming and it may be that the last thing you want to do is face them. Fortunately though, dealing and coping with problems is a well-studied area and there are many cognitive, emotional, and behavioral steps that can be taken to effectively face your problems head on.

Accepting and Understanding the Problem

Step 1 Acknowledge the problem.

  • If you don’t think you have a problem, but everyone tells you there is a problem, try to see if there is truth to it.
  • If you are having trouble admitting you have a problem, you might be in denial. For example, if you don’t want to accept that a close family member is involved with drugs, you might come up with other excuses for her behavior.
  • While denial can be useful at times by protecting your mental health, it can in other cases lead you away from dealing with the problem head on. [2] X Research source
  • In fact, avoidance often exacerbates the problem and doesn’t provide any lasting relief. Avoiding your problem will continue to create a cycle of stress for you as it will always be weighing on the back of your mind.
  • That said, sometimes a little escapism can be healthy. If you find yourself overwhelmed and stressed out, take a break! Watch a TV show or read a book, or engage in some other hobby you enjoy. You could even just zone out and let your mind wander! [3] X Research source

Step 2 Avoid catastrophizing.

  • You can avoid catastrophizing by being cognizant of when you are doing it. This requires that you monitor your own thoughts and try to check them for accuracy.
  • You can monitor your thoughts by remembering to think about them and by asking yourself if someone else had that thought, would you think they were being accurate?

Step 3 Think of the origin of the problem.

  • If you think you know when the problem started, think about events that happened at that time. The root cause might be related to it. For example, if your grades started slipping in school after your father moved away, maybe you’re having a hard time adjusting to this change.

Step 4 Put things into perspective.

  • For example, your problem might be that you don’t manage to make it to school on time. By changing a few habits or making different transportation arrangements, this can be changed.
  • Some things can’t be changed, such as a permanent disability or the death of a loved one, but you can learn to live with it and thrive in the wake of it. Also keep in mind that people often think negative events will make them feel worse and worse for longer than they actually do.
  • Telling yourself this isn’t the end of the world doesn’t mean your problem is not really a problem or is insignificant. It just helps you internalize that your problems are not insurmountable.

Step 5 Embrace the challenge.

  • Dealing with problems and solving them can make you more competent and also more empathetic toward others who have their own problems.

Expressing That You Have a Problem

Step 1 Write your problem down.

  • For example, if your problem is that you don't have enough money, you could write that down. You could also write down the implications of that problem to drive home the point and motivate you to solve it. An implication of not having enough money might be that you are stressed out and that you can't enjoy the kinds of things that you would like to.
  • If the problem isn't something private, put the list somewhere you see it so you don't forget to act on it. For example, you might put it on your fridge.

Step 2 Talk about the problem.

  • If you’re going to talk to someone else who has the same problem, you will need to be tactful. Let her know that you just want to learn so you can solve it, too.

Step 3 Embrace your feelings.

  • It’s okay to feel upset, angry, worried so long as you know that being upset, angry or worried won’t help solve the problem. You will have to take action to solve the problem. Still, these emotions can help you realize you have a problem, as well as suggest its source.
  • Some ways to calm down when you're feeling upset include: focusing on your breathing, count to 10 (or higher if you need to), gently talk yourself down (tell yourself "it's going to be alright," or "take it easy."). Try going for a walk or run or listening to calming music. [10] X Trustworthy Source Greater Good Magazine Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living Go to source

Step 4 See a counselor.

  • To find a mental health professional, try this website: https://locator.apa.org/

Finding Solutions

Step 1 Research the problem.

  • Consider talking to people who have been through something similar or are professionals in the subject related to your problem.
  • For example, if your problem is academic related, talk to your teacher about it or another student who has already done the subject or course you’re having difficulty with.
  • Understanding how problems come to be might help you face them better. Refocusing your attention on solving the problem will help decrease unproductive emotional tendencies such as guilt and anxiety, which can stymie problem solving skills and capabilities.

Step 2 Seek out an expert.

  • Make sure that when you seek out advice, it's from a licensed professional in their field, which proves they have the skills needed to help you with your particular problem.
  • There are people who might claim to be an expert. If they are lacking the right credentials, chances are they aren't.

Step 3 Look to others who solved your problem.

  • Try asking them how they coped with and solved the problem you share. You may find yourself so wrapped up in your problem that an obvious solution evades you, but it may not evade others. [12] X Research source

Step 4 Brainstorm solutions.

  • Consider the anatomy of the problem. Usually a problem is not just one problem alone - it has consequences and affects other areas of your life. Which part of the problem do you think you should address first?
  • For example, if your problem is that you never get to go on vacation, sub-problems may be that it is difficult for you to get time off of work, and it is difficult for you to save money to be able to afford a vacation.
  • You could address these sub-problems separately: You could cut back on eating out while simultaneously talking to your boss about how you are burnt out and could use a week off, and make a case that you would ultimately be more productive in the long run if allowed to recuperate.

Step 5 Evaluate your solutions.

  • Whether the solution will, in fact, solve your problem.
  • How efficient the solution is in terms of the time and other resources it will require.
  • How you might feel it you choose that solution relative to another solution.
  • What the costs and benefits of the solution are.
  • Whether this solution has worked for others in the past.

Step 6 Put your plan into action.

  • As you engage in your plan, reward yourself for your small successes so you are more likely to stick with it when the going gets tough!
  • Resist the temptation to avoid your problems if your plans don’t work. Remember not to catastrophize –just because one solution didn't solve the problem, that doesn't mean there isn't another method to solve your problem.

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  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/headshrinkers-guide-the-galaxy/201412/7-strategies-face-lifes-challenges
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/denial
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200903/devoted-distraction?collection=95944
  • ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/15-small-steps-you-can-take-today-to-improve-anxiety-symptoms/
  • ↑ http://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/ProblemSolving.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/talking-through-problems
  • ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_to_calm_your_mind_in_stressful_times
  • ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/finding-a-therapist-who-can-help-you-heal.htm
  • ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/therapists-spill-14-ways-to-get-through-tough-times/
  • ↑ https://au.reachout.com/articles/a-step-by-step-guide-to-problem-solving

About This Article

Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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Dealing with a problem in your life can feel overwhelming, but by accepting that you have a problem and finding a solution, you can manage it effectively. Accept that the problem exists, since ignoring or avoiding it will not make it go away. Research your problem so you can understand it better, which will help you come up with solutions. You could also try speaking to someone who has dealt with the same issue or contacting an expert with relevant experience. Make a step-by-step plan of how you're going to tackle your problem, which will help you break it down into manageable goals. As you achieve each step, reward yourself so you feel encouraged to keep going. For example, if your problem is that you struggle to focus on your work, take an evening to relax or watch your favorite show when you complete an important task. For tips from our co-author on how to avoid catastrophizing your problem, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Deal With Different Problems in Life

Last Updated: April 8, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Leah Morris . Leah Morris is a Life and Relationship Transition coach and the owner of Life Remade, a holistic personal coaching service. With over three years as a professional coach, she specializes in guiding people as they move through both short-term and long-term life transitions. Leah holds a BA in Organizational Communication from California State University, Chico and is a certified Transformational Life Coach through the Southwest Institute for Healing Arts. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 117,695 times.

Money, relationships, family, health, school, careers. Problems can and will pop up in nearly every area of life. The longer you live, the more obstacles you must overcome. Learning to handle life's problems effectively is an essential skill that can have a drastic effect on your health and happiness. Building solid problem-solving strategies and coping skills can help you manage when life throws its punches.

Developing Problem-Solving Skills

Step 1 Define the problem.

  • For example, you are short on money for the bills. Find out the source of the problem. Why are you short this month? It could be you need to find a better paying job to account for a rise in expenses, pick up more hours at work, or stop spending needlessly on entertainment.

Step 2 Decide on your objective.

  • For example, if you are short on money, your objective would be to make extra money or increase your income in some way.

Step 3 Narrow it down.

  • For example, if you are hoping to increase the income in your household, you can pare this goal down to saving $100 first. Then, your goal might be to double that amount, and so forth. This is much more feasible than setting a goal to just save $500 right off the bat.

Step 4 Examine all the variables.

  • The variables to increase your income could be working more hours, searching for a better paying job, or decreasing other expenses to free up more income.

Step 5 Implement the solution that best meets your objective.

  • Perhaps, you cannot find a new job or increase your work hours right now. Therefore, the only option available to you would be finding ways to cut back on other expenses.

Step 6 Check the results.

Stocking Your Coping Toolbox

Step 1 Understand the downsides of chronic stress.

  • Weight gain or loss
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sleep problems
  • Changes in appetite

Step 2 Phone a friend.

  • A hobby can be anything that you enjoy doing. Try reading, writing, sports, hiking, canoeing, skating, painting, gardening, etc. There are endless possibilities for finding something you like to do and doing it regularly.

Step 4 Unwind each night.

  • Do something relaxing like stretching, listening to soothing music, taking a long, hot bath, or getting a massage. [11] X Research source

Step 5 Exercise.

  • Try progressive muscle by sitting quietly and comfortably in a chair or on a cushion. Move slowly through each muscle group in your body, tensing and releasing the different muscles. Start with your toes. Tense them for 5 seconds and take notice of how this feels. Next, release the tension and simply remain in the relaxed state for about 30 seconds before moving on to a new muscle group.

Coping with Interpersonal Issues

Step 1 Strive for more empathy.

  • Aim to listen for understanding rather than responding. You probably spend most of your time listening thinking up what you are going to say next. Take the time to really hear what the other person is saying in your daily interactions. This leaves less room for misunderstandings.
  • Purposely go out of your way to shatter stereotypes. Do you have an unsupported opinion about a certain individual or group? Make an effort to meet, talk to, and get to know this individual(s) and see if your opinion changes.
  • Learn more about the world by reading, watching films or documentaries, and visiting museums that educate you about people from different walks of life.

Step 2 Use

  • An "I" statement starts by expressing a feeling, explaining the why behind the feeling, and offering a practical solution. An "I" statement might include the following: "I feel unappreciated when you drop tasks on me at the last minute. It would be great if you could try to give me advanced notice next time."

Step 3 Stop trying to change others.

  • Constantly judging, nagging, or shaming others for their wrongness while emphasizing your rightness doesn't do anyone any good. [18] X Research source Remember, "a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still". Trying to change others only frustrates you (and them).
  • Focus on working on your own faults instead of expending so much energy on others. [19] X Research source

Step 4 Learn when and how to apologize.

  • Apologies express remorse, admit responsibility, make amends, and strive to prevent the same mistake from happening in the future.
  • An example of an apology could be "I apologize for not being respectful of your free time. I will do the work myself this time, and next time I will be sure to give you a heads up to check that you are available."

Having a Healthy Outlook

Step 1 Start viewing problems as opportunities.

  • Grab a sheet of paper and list all of the accomplishments, values, and positive qualities about yourself you can think of. Also, call a close friend or family member who knows you well. Ask this person to help you identify your strengths.
  • If you have trouble figuring out your strengths, take a free online assessment like the VIA Character Strengths Assessment. [22] X Research source
  • After you have identified your strengths, learn to channel them effectively in your life. Review each strengths and figure out ways that you already use this strength in your life. Then, brainstorm additional ways you can use this strength to your advantage. [23] X Research source

Step 3 Cultivate gratitude.

  • Start a gratitude journal by writing out a few things that went well during each day.
  • Say "thank you" more.
  • Write gratitude letters to your family, friends, and acquaintances who have been a help to you in some way.
  • Transform your language to use these words more "gifts", "fortunate", "blessings", and "abundance".

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  • ↑ http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/problem-solving-skills.htm
  • ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-management/art-20044502
  • ↑ http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/problem-solving/overview/overview.html
  • ↑ http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/emotional-wellbeing/mental-health/stress-how-to-cope-better-with-lifes-challenges.html
  • ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/social-support/art-20044445?pg=2
  • ↑ http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/stress-coping-everyday-problems
  • ↑ Leah Morris. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 June 2020.
  • ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/12-ways-to-shut-off-your-brain-before-bedtime/
  • ↑ http://www.stress.org.uk/exercise.aspx
  • ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368?pg=2
  • ↑ http://time.com/3562863/5-ways-to-be-more-empathetic/
  • ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_habits_of_highly_empathic_people1
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-wise-brain/201410/accept-them-they-are
  • ↑ http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/11/14/you-can-only-change-yourself/
  • ↑ https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/how-to-apologize.htm
  • ↑ http://www.viacharacter.org/www
  • ↑ http://www.actionforhappiness.org/take-action/find-your-strengths-and-focus-on-using-them
  • ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ten_ways_to_become_more_grateful1/

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Problem-Solving Strategies and Obstacles

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

how do i solve problems in life

Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics.

how do i solve problems in life

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From deciding what to eat for dinner to considering whether it's the right time to buy a house, problem-solving is a large part of our daily lives. Learn some of the problem-solving strategies that exist and how to use them in real life, along with ways to overcome obstacles that are making it harder to resolve the issues you face.

What Is Problem-Solving?

In cognitive psychology , the term 'problem-solving' refers to the mental process that people go through to discover, analyze, and solve problems.

A problem exists when there is a goal that we want to achieve but the process by which we will achieve it is not obvious to us. Put another way, there is something that we want to occur in our life, yet we are not immediately certain how to make it happen.

Maybe you want a better relationship with your spouse or another family member but you're not sure how to improve it. Or you want to start a business but are unsure what steps to take. Problem-solving helps you figure out how to achieve these desires.

The problem-solving process involves:

  • Discovery of the problem
  • Deciding to tackle the issue
  • Seeking to understand the problem more fully
  • Researching available options or solutions
  • Taking action to resolve the issue

Before problem-solving can occur, it is important to first understand the exact nature of the problem itself. If your understanding of the issue is faulty, your attempts to resolve it will also be incorrect or flawed.

Problem-Solving Mental Processes

Several mental processes are at work during problem-solving. Among them are:

  • Perceptually recognizing the problem
  • Representing the problem in memory
  • Considering relevant information that applies to the problem
  • Identifying different aspects of the problem
  • Labeling and describing the problem

Problem-Solving Strategies

There are many ways to go about solving a problem. Some of these strategies might be used on their own, or you may decide to employ multiple approaches when working to figure out and fix a problem.

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that, by following certain "rules" produces a solution. Algorithms are commonly used in mathematics to solve division or multiplication problems. But they can be used in other fields as well.

In psychology, algorithms can be used to help identify individuals with a greater risk of mental health issues. For instance, research suggests that certain algorithms might help us recognize children with an elevated risk of suicide or self-harm.

One benefit of algorithms is that they guarantee an accurate answer. However, they aren't always the best approach to problem-solving, in part because detecting patterns can be incredibly time-consuming.

There are also concerns when machine learning is involved—also known as artificial intelligence (AI)—such as whether they can accurately predict human behaviors.

Heuristics are shortcut strategies that people can use to solve a problem at hand. These "rule of thumb" approaches allow you to simplify complex problems, reducing the total number of possible solutions to a more manageable set.

If you find yourself sitting in a traffic jam, for example, you may quickly consider other routes, taking one to get moving once again. When shopping for a new car, you might think back to a prior experience when negotiating got you a lower price, then employ the same tactics.

While heuristics may be helpful when facing smaller issues, major decisions shouldn't necessarily be made using a shortcut approach. Heuristics also don't guarantee an effective solution, such as when trying to drive around a traffic jam only to find yourself on an equally crowded route.

Trial and Error

A trial-and-error approach to problem-solving involves trying a number of potential solutions to a particular issue, then ruling out those that do not work. If you're not sure whether to buy a shirt in blue or green, for instance, you may try on each before deciding which one to purchase.

This can be a good strategy to use if you have a limited number of solutions available. But if there are many different choices available, narrowing down the possible options using another problem-solving technique can be helpful before attempting trial and error.

In some cases, the solution to a problem can appear as a sudden insight. You are facing an issue in a relationship or your career when, out of nowhere, the solution appears in your mind and you know exactly what to do.

Insight can occur when the problem in front of you is similar to an issue that you've dealt with in the past. Although, you may not recognize what is occurring since the underlying mental processes that lead to insight often happen outside of conscious awareness .

Research indicates that insight is most likely to occur during times when you are alone—such as when going on a walk by yourself, when you're in the shower, or when lying in bed after waking up.

How to Apply Problem-Solving Strategies in Real Life

If you're facing a problem, you can implement one or more of these strategies to find a potential solution. Here's how to use them in real life:

  • Create a flow chart . If you have time, you can take advantage of the algorithm approach to problem-solving by sitting down and making a flow chart of each potential solution, its consequences, and what happens next.
  • Recall your past experiences . When a problem needs to be solved fairly quickly, heuristics may be a better approach. Think back to when you faced a similar issue, then use your knowledge and experience to choose the best option possible.
  • Start trying potential solutions . If your options are limited, start trying them one by one to see which solution is best for achieving your desired goal. If a particular solution doesn't work, move on to the next.
  • Take some time alone . Since insight is often achieved when you're alone, carve out time to be by yourself for a while. The answer to your problem may come to you, seemingly out of the blue, if you spend some time away from others.

Obstacles to Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is not a flawless process as there are a number of obstacles that can interfere with our ability to solve a problem quickly and efficiently. These obstacles include:

  • Assumptions: When dealing with a problem, people can make assumptions about the constraints and obstacles that prevent certain solutions. Thus, they may not even try some potential options.
  • Functional fixedness : This term refers to the tendency to view problems only in their customary manner. Functional fixedness prevents people from fully seeing all of the different options that might be available to find a solution.
  • Irrelevant or misleading information: When trying to solve a problem, it's important to distinguish between information that is relevant to the issue and irrelevant data that can lead to faulty solutions. The more complex the problem, the easier it is to focus on misleading or irrelevant information.
  • Mental set: A mental set is a tendency to only use solutions that have worked in the past rather than looking for alternative ideas. A mental set can work as a heuristic, making it a useful problem-solving tool. However, mental sets can also lead to inflexibility, making it more difficult to find effective solutions.

How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

In the end, if your goal is to become a better problem-solver, it's helpful to remember that this is a process. Thus, if you want to improve your problem-solving skills, following these steps can help lead you to your solution:

  • Recognize that a problem exists . If you are facing a problem, there are generally signs. For instance, if you have a mental illness , you may experience excessive fear or sadness, mood changes, and changes in sleeping or eating habits. Recognizing these signs can help you realize that an issue exists.
  • Decide to solve the problem . Make a conscious decision to solve the issue at hand. Commit to yourself that you will go through the steps necessary to find a solution.
  • Seek to fully understand the issue . Analyze the problem you face, looking at it from all sides. If your problem is relationship-related, for instance, ask yourself how the other person may be interpreting the issue. You might also consider how your actions might be contributing to the situation.
  • Research potential options . Using the problem-solving strategies mentioned, research potential solutions. Make a list of options, then consider each one individually. What are some pros and cons of taking the available routes? What would you need to do to make them happen?
  • Take action . Select the best solution possible and take action. Action is one of the steps required for change . So, go through the motions needed to resolve the issue.
  • Try another option, if needed . If the solution you chose didn't work, don't give up. Either go through the problem-solving process again or simply try another option.

You can find a way to solve your problems as long as you keep working toward this goal—even if the best solution is simply to let go because no other good solution exists.

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Stewart SL, Celebre A, Hirdes JP, Poss JW. Risk of suicide and self-harm in kids: The development of an algorithm to identify high-risk individuals within the children's mental health system . Child Psychiat Human Develop . 2020;51:913-924. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-00968-9

Rosenbusch H, Soldner F, Evans AM, Zeelenberg M. Supervised machine learning methods in psychology: A practical introduction with annotated R code . Soc Personal Psychol Compass . 2021;15(2):e12579. doi:10.1111/spc3.12579

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By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

how do i solve problems in life

The 10 Most Common Life Problems and How to Deal with Them

The 10 Most Common Life Problems and How to Deal with Them

This is life; you face problems every day no matter how perfect you think you and your life are. Problems are there and they aren’t going anywhere unless you face them and solve them. Acknowledging your problems, solving them, and getting on with your life is better than making it all a big deal. Your problems shouldn’t become the source of sorrow, hurt, and grief for you.

While getting on with our life, we may encounter plenty of barriers and issues that might distract us from our real path. Sometimes we don’t have our full potential to deal with the issues but if we know what we are dealing with, we can do better. Once you have a clear perspective of what problems you have in your life, you can deal with them in a better way. So getting  Nebula psychic advice you can change your life for the better and avoid problems in the future.

Most common problems in life

Here are some of the most common problems that each of us is bound to face no matter where we are headed or what we are doing. Let’s take a look at those issues.

1. Health Crisis

There comes a time in your life when you are not healthy. It might be something minor or something big and intense. Either way, it is common to have health issues because as our body works around the clock, it does fall once in a while to get the whole system working once again. The thing about health crisis is if you don’t deal with it at the right time, it might get worse resulting in many other problems. So, if you have any health issue going on, get to it and make yourself healthy once again instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.

2. Workplace Issues

Of course, everyone gets to work when the time and opportunity are there. But, this is the time when you come to realise if you can manage teamwork and professional relationships or not. The workplace is the place where you are supposed to fulfil your duties for which you have been hired. However, it is possible to face certain issues that you might not be ready for. You can get surprised and frustrated at the start because of these issues but the best thing to do is to face those issues and resolve them right away. It is the wisest thing instead of leaving the workplace.

3. Emptiness

Now and then, your life becomes dull, unproductive, and you feel like there is nothing you can change. This leads to the emptiness which doesn’t seem like a big issue but it has a big impact on your life. Though career-oriented people don’t care about their wellness and the adventurous part of life deeply it is affecting them and it affects their career also. If you want to deal with this boredom and emptiness, break out of your routine and do something unusual to bring out the light in you.

4. Friendship Issues

We need friends in our life to get together, share sorrows and happiness, and just get along with life. Friends are the brightest part of life but sometimes this relationship ends up giving you a lot of trouble. There is backstabbing, jealousy, betrayal, and a lot of similar things that ruin a friendship and thus it affects the whole life. The best solution to this is to never open up with friends at first. Know who you are dealing with and then move forward with the friendships. Limit your interactions with friends who are toxic and unhealthy for you.

When you are moving forward, achieving your goals, moving on with your career, you are bound to face failures but it doesn’t mean that you can’t move forward. Failures are meant to teach you a lot of things and make you a better person for the future. Learn to deal with the failure and you will have the ability to deal with every barrier that might come across.

6. Financial Crisis

This world and life are uncertain, and the financial crisis can come at every stage of life. No matter how much you are ready for the bad times, the financial crisis can catch you off-guard. You can get frustrated and all stressed out because of the crisis that might have hit you. You might have lost your job, lost your investment, or have a downfall in the business world. The best way to deal with this is to accept that it has happened. Once you accept it, you can deal with it. Identify where things have gone wrong and from where can you start to get back on your feet.

7. Career Pressure

When you are on the path to being successful, you will face work-related issues. Along with those issues, you might have the difficulty in getting on with your career. Thousands of issues can arise such as not getting the promotion you worked so hard for, not getting the job you applied so wishfully for, and so on. To deal with these issues, identify the issues that might be within you such as personal issues or attitudinal problems. Work on yourself and get back on your feet and try again.

8. Unfair Treatment

This world is full of people who are unjust and unfair when they get in power. You are lucky if you haven’t faced anything like that, but you are bound to face such people when you step outside. This unfair treatment shouldn’t be the cause of your issues or breakdown. So, deal with this as it comes and doesn’t take it seriously. If you are good, you will get the success you deserve.

9. Inner Peace

You can be successful in life, doing things you love but still, there is something that doesn’t feel like you. The inner peace you seek might not be there for you yet and it stresses you out. It happens to everyone once in a while and it is no big deal. You just have to find a way to feel different and to achieve that inner peace you are looking for.

10. Mental Health Issues

This doesn’t mean serious disorders and diseases. These are the minor issues that we usually ignore and do not deal with because we think they don’t make sense. We are too busy with improving our lives that we forget that mental stress and anxiety are serious issues and you should seek help as soon as possible.

Look around your life and see if you are having these problems in your life. Every once in a while, people face these problems but if you can identify the issues at the time, you can deal with them in a better way.

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Tina Gilbertson LPC

The Best Approach to an Unsolvable Problem

No advice will help as much as this response from you..

Posted April 13, 2019

Urilux/Photo Images

A serious health challenge.

A stressful job that can’t be quit.

A relationship that’s as painful as it is loving.

Life serves up many problems with either no solution or only imperfect solutions that seem either just as bad or worse than the problem itself.

What do you do when someone you care about faces a problem like this? What if that someone is you?

We are far more than just solution-generation machines. In the face of unsolvable problems, we can still be there for each other and ourselves.

How to Validate Someone (Or Yourself)

As a therapist, I’ve sat with many people over the years struggling with substantial problems with no good solutions. The pain of impossible situations is often what brings people to therapy .

I’m always struck by how much lighter people feel when they hear, “This is a difficult problem. Anyone in your shoes would be having trouble with this,” or simply, “You’re caught right now between a rock and a hard place. No matter what you do, it’s not going to be easy or pleasant.”

They leave the conversation with the same problem, but carrying less despair and stress. Meaning they have better access to the inner resources they need to face the difficulty.

Telling someone (or yourself), “This is hard. There’s no good solution,” is a form of validation.

Validating someone’s (or your own) experience is a helpful response in many situations, but in the face of unsolvable problems, it’s often the only help you can offer.

The Road to Solutions

Don’t dismiss validation just because it doesn’t solve the problem directly. Validation makes us stronger. Without it we may feel incompetent, unworthy, or even crazy in our suffering. That adds extra weight to the actual problem.

We need to know we’re normal and acceptable, even when life challenges us. Validation makes this clear. It provides much-needed relief and the strength to carry on under demanding circumstances.

In some instances, validation may be the only thing that might make change possible. Knowing how to offer validation is like wielding a superpower.

When we accept ourselves in our troubled state, we gain strength. For the first time, we might be able to make choices that would move us into a better position, and even solve the seemingly unsolvable.

Get Unstuck

Let’s take the example of a stressful job that sucks the life out of you, but you can’t afford to quit. For various reasons, you feel stuck.

Loved ones who worry about you will likely urge you to either quit or change your attitude. Neither response is validating. Here’s what validation might sound like: “What a terrible situation to find yourself in. Your job is impossibly stressful, but you can’t afford to quit. And even if there were another job for you somewhere else, you don’t have the time or the energy to look for it. You’re really stuck.”

Validation reflects and makes sense of a person’s experience. Just hearing words like those in the previous paragraph can lower blood pressure and open up creative thinking .

Validation doesn’t solve problems, and it doesn’t make things worse. Instead, it makes us more able to either solve hard problems or survive them.

Use validation whenever a loved one (or yourself) has a problem that seems to have no solution. If there is a solution, it will present itself to a calm and centered mind . Being validated calms and centers us.

When there’s no solution, validation helps us cope.

Tina Gilbertson LPC

Tina Gilbertson, LPC, is the author of Reconnecting with Your Estranged Adult Child and Constructive Wallowing: How to Beat Bad Feelings By Letting Yourself Have Them . She hosts the Reconnection Club Podcast for parents of estranged adult children and offers consultation by distance.

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How to Solve Life Problems

Do you know how to solve life problems? Life is of course full of problems. In fact, it’s so full of problems that at times it seems as though solving one problem creates a new problem. But having problems is a necessary part of life. And living life in optimal ways requires understanding how to solve life problems. In fact, it could be said that those who successfully work through their problems live a happier, more fulfilling and rewarding life. But how to solve life problems? Is there a formula for solving all of life’s problems? Well, maybe not a formula, but using the following six steps can definitely bring some value.

1) TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PROBLEM

Solve your life problems

Okay, something unexpected just happened, and you now have this big problem on your hands. Yes, absolutely life is unfair. This is just such an inconvenience. In fact, you don’t even deserve this, and you certainly don’t have the time to deal with this problem. Right now, you kind of just want to crawl under a rock — hoping in your heart that this problem will just go away. But what good will that do? What good will it do to blame, complain or make excuses? You have this problem because life has something of value to teach you. With this in mind, take responsibility and use the problem as a challenge to get better.

2) AVOID MAKING ASSUMPTIONS

Solve your life problems

Having taken full responsibility for you problem, you are now in the right frame-of-mind to begin solving it. The best place to start is of course to use the lessons from solving past problems and applying them to your current predicament. Our past can certainly provide us with many valuable insights and clues to help us in the present moment. However, it’s important that we keep in mind that what worked in the past, may not necessarily work right now. Yes, certainly use the lessons from the past on how to solve life problems and try to apply them to your current problem, however stay vigilant and aware that other possibilities may also exist.

3) TURN YOUR PROBLEM INTO A QUESTION

How to Solve Daily Life Problems

Thinking about how to solve life problems always begins with proper perspective. However, in order to gain proper perspective you need to ask the right questions. This all of course begins the moment you decide to turn your problem into a question and start restating it in a variety of ways. This is advantageous because asking a question brings along with it possibilities and answers. It encourages us to focus on solutions rather than getting lost within the intricacies of our problem. Asking one question of course brings to mind other possible questions. And with every question asked you gain deeper insights that can help you solve your life problems.

4) SEEK ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES

How to Solve your life problems: 6 Quick and Powerful Tips

While trying to solve your life problems you may at times get stuck. You will reach a point where you just run out of ideas and just don’t quite know how to proceed. This is the point where you need to look for alternative perspectives that will help shift your view of the problem. Books can of course be of tremendous value. Throughout history people have been solving all sorts of problems. Learn from them and use their stories of struggle and triumph on how to solve life problems in your own life. Likewise ask the people in your life for their input, ideas and suggestions. Their unique life experiences might help you see your problem in a more favorable light.

5) THINK IN PICTURES

Here is an Effective Method for Solving Your Life Problems

If ever you’re struggling to solve your life problems, it can be helpful to start thinking in pictures. Pictures will help you to bring your thoughts to life on paper in front of your eyes. Once there, you can begin playing with your thoughts, exploring your thoughts, and even re-imagining them on paper in a variety of ways. Doing so will help you assess your problem from unique vantage points and perspectives that may lead to incredible breakthroughs and ideas. You can of course do this using doodles, mind maps, metaphors and diagrams. Just tap into your inner child and allow your imagination run wild.

6) PONDER OVER YOUR PROBLEM

Solve your life problems

Sometimes the harder we try to solve our life problems, the less progress we seem to make. If you ever reach that point, then it can be helpful to step back from trying so hard, and instead spend time pondering over your problem in a variety of ways. To ponder over a problem requires putting yourself into a relaxed state-of-mind, and then just allowing your imagination to go to work. You can of course do this while lying in bed, walking along the beach, or while meditating. Sometimes it just takes time to solve a problem. You need to give your ideas the space to manifest, to grow and expand in your imagination.

HOW TO SOLVE LIFE PROBLEMS SUMMARY

So there you have it. Those are the steps you need to take on how to solve life problems. It’s not quite a fullproof formula, but using these six steps can certainly help you work through your life problems far more effectively. Some problems will of course take a little more time and effort to solve. Just maybe you might not even be able to solve all of them. You might very well fail time and again. But within every failure there is the seed of opportunity to learn and grow from every experience that will help you to solve your life problems in better ways.

Six steps for solving lifes problems

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Imagine for a moment you could develop new habits and methods of thinking where you naturally and effortlessly adopt these ideas into your life on how to solve life problems. How would that make you feel? Would you feel more fulfilled, empowered and in control?

Yes, there is such simplicity within this IQ Doodle, but of course there is a reason for that. Making positive change doesn’t need to be a complicated process. It just needs to be a consistent process where we progressively develop new habits-of-mind through repeated exposure and implementation. And that’s what these IQ Doodles are for.

We have prepared for you an IQ Doodle pack that includes several variations of this IQ Doodle that you can use for guidance and inspiration on how to solve life problems . Use it consistently and you will begin making positive changes in the way you live, work and interact with others.

Visit the IQ Doodle Store to learn more about how to use this IQ Doodle on how to solve life problems and begin optimizing the way you live your life today.

Learn More About this Topic

Want to know more about this topic? Here are some helpful links to articles that you may find of value:

  • 5 Problem Solving Techniques for Every Aspect of Life @ Fast Company
  • Here is an Effective Method for Solving All Your Problems  @ IQ Matrix
  • How to Solve Problems Like an Expert @ Psychology Today
  • Need to Solve a Problem? Dreaming May Help @ Inc.
  • The Problem Solving Paradox of Creativity @ The Creativity Post

3 thoughts on “How to Solve Life Problems”

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There is no problem without a solution. All problems have enough solution to the whole scope of its being. But it must be clear that solutions won’t present itself to you and your problems. There is nothing like too BIG PROBLEM. TOO BIG PROBLEMS,there is also a too big solution to it. BIG PLUS BIG equals to BIG SOLUTION.

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It’s mind-blowing writing, thank you very much for sharing this type of amazing thought.

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Very powerful article, everyone should read. Thank you so much for the great information

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how do i solve problems in life

ROCK thru real life challenges

How to solve life problems: 10 real-life examples.

  • By Lee Havenga |
  • April 8, 2021

how do i solve problems in life

A friend of mine, who has been following ROCK thru since the beginning, recently asked me how ROCK thru can really be applied to everyday life. She understood each of the four principles, R espect, O wnership, C onnection, and K indness, and they sounded great in theory. But, she wanted to know how to solve life problems using ROCK principles. To explain how the ROCK principles can be applied to help you through life’s challenges, big and small, below are ten scenarios of life problems and how to ROCK thru them.

Before you dive into the examples here are a few things to keep in mind. 

Applying the Principles to Life Problems

Life problems are unique.

These examples are meant to provide a better understanding of how to ROCK thru a challenging situation. There is a good chance that none of these examples will perfectly fit your unique lens of life. But hopefully, there will be a few moments, maybe even pieced together from different scenarios, that you can relate to. When you read through the examples, you may sense some repetitiveness, and that’s the point. As you apply the principles to your own life, you begin to see that they are consistently applicable, no matter the challenge.

Life problems are unpredictable

Most life problem solutions rely on interactions with other people in our interdependent culture, and people are unpredictable. This is why I don’t play out the scenarios to the final solution. I don’t want to paint the picture of applying these principles and living “happily ever after.” Instead, the scenarios are intended to show the intentional process, mind shift, and approach when applying these principles. As Patrick M. Regan said, “…remind yourself that the only thing you can truly control is you – and your reaction to what the world throws at you.” The scenarios give you an idea of how to use the ROCK principles to control your reactions to life problems, not anyone else’s.

It can be difficult to solve life problems

ROCK thru is an approach to life, not a quick fix for substantial challenges. These principles aren’t magic, and applying them takes some diligence. It also takes a fair amount of courage and self-awareness to pull off. But I’ve found that although difficult, working through a problem in this way gets me to a better solution, faster. I’m sharing this not to overwhelm you but to be forthright. Also, without this context, some of the scenarios will seem grossly oversimplified. We live in a complex world with complex problems that don’t usually have simple answers. But ROCK thru provides a framework to apply love, through Respect, Ownership, Connection, and Kindness, to help get through those difficult times and solve life problems.

Solving life problems can be messy

In the beginning, when the four principles (Respect, Ownership, Connection, and Kindness) began to emerge, I was frustrated when they didn’t fit neatly into their own categories. After a while, I began to realize that way the principles converge is part of their beauty. They naturally flow into one another, combining into one thing, love.

How to apply R.O.C.K. to Solve Life Problems

how do i solve problems in life

There is a visual summary infographic at the bottom of this page if you want a simple overview and reference of how to apply Respect, Ownership, Connection, and Kindness to solve life problems. 

Apply Respect to Solve a Life Problem

Name all of the people in the situation and what aspects of Respect you can give. Always include yourself since you can’t truly offer Respect to others if you don’t grant it to yourself first. Also, even if you feel resentful towards another person, dig deep to find an aspect of their character that you can honor. This will be an essential foundation so that you can ROCK thru the situation.

Apply Ownership (and the three A’s) to Solve a Life Problem

Intentionally become A ware and A ccept the Truths of the Situation:

Be sure that you look at the situation from multiple perspectives, especially those of other people who may have a different outlook. This is where you search and layout all the truths; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Ownership and Connection often overlap here because you may need to reach out to others to have a well-rounded understanding.

Take A ction on the Truths:

This step can be overwhelming, so when dealing with a complex issue, it is best to write down the actions you plan to take. Break down the actions that you plan to take into manageable steps. I find it best when they are “SMART” (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) actions so that your plan is realistic and doable.

An example of a higher-level SMART action is: “Eliminate all of my credit card debt, $3,419.27, in six months.”

An example of a lower-level task action (a step towards the larger goal) is: “Cancel current credit cards so that no more debt can be accumulated.”

Of course, writing the steps down is only the first step to taking action. Next, you will need to work through the actions you have listed. If you get stuck or overwhelmed, go back to the other principles. Remind yourself of the Respect you have for yourself and others involved in the situation. This reminds you of an important aspect of why you are working to solve the problem in the first place. Make Connections with those in your support system and/or get professional help. And as you are taking action, impart Kindness on yourself. Working through to a solution is not easy so give yourself a break along the way. Most times it is fear that holds us back from taking action. That’s too much to unpack here but to gain a better understanding go to this post about overcoming fear and finding courage . 

Apply Connection to Solve a Life Problem

When using the ROCK principles to problem solve, Connection can be the most difficult of the four. We are often not comfortable with sharing our issues with others for fear of judgment. We are also not accustomed to reaching out for help or support. However, this principle adds the vital support, accountability, and perspective needed to quickly reach a solution. Be brave, find someone you trust or a professional and start making progress.

Apply Kindness to Solve a Life Problem

Although you are reading the principles in the order that spells out the ROCK acronym (Respect, Ownership, Connection, and Kindness), the pillars are meant to overlap and be integrated as you work through to your solution. When generous consideration is given to others, solutions come more easily and quickly. We can disagree and be kind to each other at the same time.  

Although being kind sounds nice, the truth is that it’s not easy. It takes conscious effort and practice to do so. Especially when it comes to being kind to ourselves. Kindness to others begins with being kind to yourself. Make learning about and developing self-love activities a priority. 

10 Examples of how to ROCK thru to solve life problems

These ten examples are written in the first person, the “I” perspective, so the life problem and solution can be relatable. Think of these questions and responses as if you are having a conversation with yourself. Applying the ROCK thru principles is much like that anyway. They are meant to put you in a specific frame of mind so that you can approach and move through your challenges with thoughts and actions of love at the forefront. 

Here are links to each of the 10 scenarios so you can jump to and begin with the one that may be most applicable to you and begin to solve life problems.

Life Problem 1: Feeling Stuck

Life problem 2: relationship challenges.

  • Life Problem 3: Chronic Illness
  • Life Problem 4: Loss and Grief

Life Problem 5: Negativity

Life problem 6: financial debt.

  • Life Problem 7: Expectations and Pressure

Life Problem 8: Parenting Decisions

Life problem 9: workplace conflict, life problem 10: overwhelmed and exhausted.

how do i solve problems in life

I’ve been in my current role at work for several years and can’t seem to make career advancements within my company. I feel stuck and not sure what to do next.

I honor myself and the vision that I have for my career.

I honor my leaders at work, knowing that they too have a vision for our team and department.

Ownership (and the three A’s)

I like my current role and the company I work for.

I have a vision for how I’d like my career to progress.

I don’t have a good understanding of how my leaders see my career progressing.

I would move to another company to advance my career.

There is one specific leader who doesn’t seem to recognize my skills.

My natural tendency is to try to be content with the job I have. Still, it feels disingenuous to ignore my aspirations.

I write out a reasonable career trajectory noting both benefits to my company and me.

I share with my leaders to get input and advice on what steps to take to make it happen.

I put an action plan and timeline together for these steps. 

I schedule check-ins with my leaders to assess the progress.

I check in with myself to put together a clear vision and steps to achieve the goals.

I talk with my leaders to assess and get input on the vision and steps.

I seek out a mentor for a perspective outside of my company. 

I connect with other professionals on LinkedIn who currently have the next role that I would like to gain a better understanding of the skills needed.

I give myself the love, support, and encouragement as I work towards my professional goals. I show Kindness to others within my company to balance my passion for people and my professional aspirations.

how do i solve problems in life

I’m in a relationship with a guy that I hang out with all the time. Ryan and I go to dinner, watch movies, text every day, and are physically intimate. We have fun and have a lot in common. But, he doesn’t want to be “a couple.”

I honor myself and know I am enough, just as I am. 

Since I Respect Ryan in so many ways, I honor his perspective even though I don’t understand it or agree with it.

I don’t understand why he doesn’t want to be an “official” couple.

I really like spending time with Ryan.

I’m afraid that if I push too hard on this topic, he’ll distance himself.

I want to be authentic to myself and what I want in my life. 

I want to be intimate with someone who wants me to be their girlfriend. 

I think through the steps I want to take next.

I have three actions that I want to take; all of them fall into the Connection principle. 

I share my truths with others, a trusted girlfriend, and my brother to get well-rounded input.

I adjust my truths based on the points each of them makes that resonate with me.

Then, I share all of my truths with Ryan so he can fully understand my perspective.

I show myself Kindness by bravely approaching this topic. 

I take action so that I can be authentic to myself, the ultimate demonstration of self-Kindness.

Life Problem 3: Chronic Illness 

how do i solve problems in life

I have MS, a progressive, incurable disease that affects me in significant ways that aren’t always apparent to other people. How do I get through this and help those who love me better understand when I’m not feeling well?

I honor myself and know I am more than this disease. 

I honor others and know that they want to support me.

I don’t want MS, but it’s my reality.

I’m afraid of the progressive nature of the disease.

My natural tendency is to be in denial, although I know that will not help.

The more I know about the disease, the better I can cope.

My family wants to help; they just don’t understand the disease.

MS is complex and affects people in different ways.  

Utilize the resources at the MS Society website.

I talk to family members and tell them how the disease is affecting me and what I need.

I accept the help and support that others want to give.

I recognize that I need a support system. 

I join a local chapter of the MS Society or an online forum.  

I leverage the experiences and solutions of others who also have MS. 

I keep those closest to me updated on how the disease affects me because that is the only way they can support me.

MS is not kind to me, so I need to be extra kind to myself.  

I generously give myself; body, mind, and soul, what it needs.

Life Problem 4: Loss and Grief 

how do i solve problems in life

My closest friend just moved away, and she is starting a new and exciting life without me. I feel so alone. 

I honor myself and my feelings, knowing that it’s okay to miss my friend.

I honor my friend and the dreams that she wants to achieve in her new location.

Intentionally become Aware and Accept the Truths of the Situation:

I miss my friend. We used to have so much fun doing things, especially mountain biking. 

I’m afraid that she’ll forget me.

I’m afraid that I won’t find another friend to do similar activities with.

My natural tendency in situations like this is to shut down, although I know that will not help.

I know the reality is that I can make new friends, but I’m missing her so much that I don’t feel like being social.

Take Action on the Truths:

I talk with my friend and am honest about how I am feeling.

I reach out to my sister, and we plan a mountain biking trip together.

I research mountain biking clubs in my area.

I research mountain biking tours in a country I’ve always wanted to visit.

I connect with myself, knowing that situations like this have sent me into a downward spiral in the past. Being connected to myself during this difficult time is essential. 

I connect with my friend, being honest about my feelings. I wish her well, but I miss how much fun we had together. I suggest that I come to visit her when she gets settled. 

I start to research excellent mountain biking trails in her area. 

Although it’s difficult for me, I put myself out there. 

I join a mountain biking club to connect with others with similar interests.

I work on expanding my friend circle so that I can more easily adapt in the future. 

I send her a care package with a few things for her new apartment. (After all, although I’m having a rough go of it, I still want my friend to be happy.)

I generously give myself what I need.

I give my friend what she needs and support her in her new life adventure. 

how do i solve problems in life

My head is filled with negative narratives all day long. I know that this causes me to transfer that negativity to parts of my life that I value, like my relationships and career. 

I honor myself and my relationships that are impacted by my negativity. Even negative emotions need to be validated and understood. It’s not the emotions that are the problem, it’s how I allow the negativity to seep into my actions.

I don’t really know why I have such a negative lens on life. 

I know that the negativity is hurting personal and professional relationships.

I am willing to put in the work to solve the problem.

I really don’t know the steps that I need to take. 

I seek out resources to learn more about negativity and get ideas on how to overcome it.

I find a therapist to help me understand why I feel this way. 

I spend more time around the most positive people in my life.

I begin a daily gratitude journal to force myself to recognize just three things a day that I can be grateful for.

I seek professional guidance and reach out to a therapist. 

I share my goals with a few people that I trust so they can know that I am trying to resolve the problem and that I may be going through some emotional difficulties. 

I recognize that this is a difficult journey. 

I also give myself grace when I “mess up” along the way. I remind myself that it is a process.

how do i solve problems in life

I have credit card debt that I can’t seem to pay down, and it continues to get larger. 

I honor myself and that I am an evolving person that can learn from my mistakes.

I honor the financial decisions I have made in the past.

I have spent more than I have earned.

 I feel good, even if it’s for just a short time, when I buy things.

When I buy things or activities similar to my friends, I feel more part of the group.

I know that with the interest rate I am paying, each item purchased ends up costing a lot more.

Emotionally, it feels almost like an addiction. Sometimes I really can’t resist the temptation to buy something.

Logically, I know that I need to stop spending and pay off my credit card debt.

I seek out guidance from several financial experts to compare options to solve this problem.

I research ways to get out of debt. 

I set a “SMART” ( S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R elevant, and T ime-bound) goal to use for focus. Example: “I will eliminate all of my credit card debt, $3,419.27, in six months.”

I put one or two strategies into place to begin to meet the goal. 

I research and seek resources at Spenders Anonymous.

I cancel current credit cards so that no more debt can be accumulated.

I add additional strategies after I master the first few.

I share the plan with a close friend or family member who can help me be accountable.

I spend more time with friends who I feel more comfortable with even when I don’t overspend.

I gently support myself through this challenging transition to more responsible spending. 

I lovingly encourage myself.

When I overspend, I don’t beat myself up. I remind myself that it takes time to change and allow myself some mistakes. 

Life Problem 7: Expectations and Pressure 

how do i solve problems in life

My parents, both doctors, want me to follow in their footsteps and become a physician. I know that is not the career path I want to take. If I don’t go to MD school, they won’t pay for college.

I honor my parents and their vision for me even though it is different than mine. 

I have no interest in becoming a physician. 

I’m afraid that if I do, I will be caught in a career that makes me miserable. 

I understand why my parents have this dream for me. 

Social work, the profession that I’d like to pursue, requires a degre e wh ich I don’t have the money to fund

I know that my parents genuinely want the best for me. 

If my parents don’t pay for my college, I will accumulate a lot of loan debt earning my degree.

I make a list of how becoming a social worker aligns with who I am and the life I’d like to lead.

I address my parents’ concerns so they know that I have taken their experience into consideration. 

I ask my parents to meet with me so we can talk.

I reach out to a few social workers to better understand the pros and cons of being a social worker. I adjust my truths where needed.

I listen intently to myself as I make the list of why the profession is meaningful to me. 

I meet with my parents to share my perspective.

I mentally prepare myself and commit to go into the conversation with my parents with Respect and Kindness. I generously listen and do my best to not lash out if my parents are still not supportive. 

how do i solve problems in life

My ten-year-old wants an iPhone. I decided that 12 years old would be an appropriate time to have a phone. But, now, I’m wavering because so many of her friends have smartphones.

I honor myself and know that I have good reasons for my decision. 

I love my daughter and want to keep her safe.

I know the data on the unfortunate effects of access to a smartphone, especially at a young age.

My daughter wants an iPhone but doesn’t need one.

There is other technology that she can access to meet some of her needs and wants.

I am the parent, and my job is to do what I think is best for her, even if that is different from what my daughter or other parents believe.

I do some more research to see if there are any new data that may change my point of view.

I ask my daughter for specific reasons why he wants a phone to be aware of his perspective. 

I talk to a few other parents to talk through my rationale and get their perspective. 

I talk to my daughter. I share the reasoning with her.

When I talk with my daughter, I do so by also generously listening to his perspective. I know that I can make her feel validated by listening and acknowledging her feelings. 

how do i solve problems in life

A colleague threw me under the bus in a meeting by inferring that my recent maternity leave was disruptive to a project.

I honor my family and where they fit into my value system.

I honor my colleague enough to address this situation. 

My family is important to me.

My career is important to me.  

I know I can successfully have both.

I took a reasonable amount of maternity leave that was supported by my boss.

Before I left for maternity leave, all details were shared with the point-person aligned to my projects.

I connect with my colleague to share how his behavior made me feel and more clearly share his concerns.

Although it is difficult, I meet with my colleague so that this incident doesn’t have a long-term impact on our relationship and work productivity. 

I give myself extra doses of self-Kindness and assurance that there is nothing wrong with growing my family and balancing it with a career. 

I approached the conversation with my colleague with Kindness, knowing that challenges were likely beneath the comment. I seek understanding and give her attention during the conversation as he shares his perspective. 

how do i solve problems in life

I am a working single mom of three. I am constantly on the go, and I am simply exhausted.

I honor myself and know I am enough and that I am doing the best that I can. 

I honor the difficulty of my situation.

I work hard to make ends meet.

I love my kids.

Taking a break or relaxing is a luxury that I feel I can’t afford.

I am willing to sacrifice myself for my kids’ well-being but know that it is detrimental to my health.

I am always tired. As a result, I can get pretty crabby with my kids. 

I know I can’t go on like this, but I don’t feel like I have any options. 

I take an evening and research “relaxation techniques for busy moms.”

I find a few options that feel doable.

I ask my neighbor if she is interested in taking one another’s kids once a week to each have a break. 

I ask a few other moms what they do to keep sane and healthy.

I share my challenge with my friend who has been in a similar situation. I ask for her support and some ideas that helped her when she was feeling overwhelmed. 

I show myself Kindness and give myself 10-20 minutes a day of permission to enjoy something small like a foot bath, a podcast episode, or quiet time with my cat. This helps me avoid resentfulness and shows my kids how they can give themselves Kindness too.

I hope these examples help you better understand and know how to apply the ROCK principles to your everyday, real-life problems to find real-life solutions. Let’s talk more about using Respect, Ownership, Connection, and Kindness to find answers. Leave questions or thoughts in the comments below, and together*, we’ll ROCK thru to solve life problems! XO ~ Lee

*Please keep in mind that I’m not a professional therapist. This article is about using the four principles to solve problems, but if you need support unpacking emotions and getting suggestions for your specific issue, I highly recommend that you connect with a therapist. Here’s a great article that gives 9 Tips for Finding the Right Therapist.

how do i solve problems in life

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5 Fundamental Steps To Solving Absolutely Any Problem In Life

Control your emotions to help you solve your problems, big and small..

By Bhavna Dalal — Written on Apr 19, 2021

woman with pink hair posing

We're faced with obstacles every day, from simple issues like, "How do I finish my tasks on time?" to more long-term problems like, "How do I get promoted?"

Can you learn how to solve problems — any problem — in life?

Whether the problem is small or large, you can start looking at it differently. Think of issues as the static noise between radio channels when there's no sound clarity.

The moment the channel is switched to a frequency set to play your favorite music, the tone changes from the static to the desired melody. It's akin to the feeling of finding the solution.

Just like the radio channels, the frequency of problems is different from the spectrum. What truly determines this frequency is your emotional state of mind.

That jarring static noise at an unprogrammed channel is like the confusion in your mind .

RELATED: 15 Most Common Life Problems — And How To Solve Every Single One Of Them

Certain emotions encourage the problem and others enable solutions.

This emotional energy of your thoughts can be in your control if you choose for it to be and there are two ways to do it.

You can tune into positive emotions by thinking of something completely unrelated to the problem, but that which relaxes you, and brings you a certain calmness, peace, or happiness.

The bolder way to do it is to face the negative emotion head-on. To agree to feel your way through it and emerge into the higher frequencies, which are more positive in nature.

An excellent way to understand this is by using "The Mood Elevator,"  as described by Larry Senn, in his book by the same name.

Your emotions go from a lower vibration of depression to the highest frequency of gratitude .

Don't you come up with answers in the shower or on a walk? Then, you're willing to relax into a higher frequency of emotion.

While we all do this to some extent, imagine the power of choosing to do this consciously and making it your problem-solving technique. It's the go-to technique for visionaries with large daunting vision.

Take these 5 fundamental steps to solve problems in life when you're feeling stuck.

1. acknowledge the issue..

Find yourself stuck in a problem? Acknowledge it.

Be grateful for what it will teach you. Decide not to go down the spiral of frustration.

Choose to take a deep breath.

RELATED: 3 Cognitive Distortions That Hinder Problem Solving

2. Feel your feelings.

You could choose one of two approaches.

The first option is to think of something that makes you happy — playing with your dog or watching a silly movie, for instance, to feel at peace and motivated.

Alternatively, allow yourself to feel the pain of not being able to solve a problem. Notice where you're feeling it in your body.

What does that feeling need you to know? How old is the feeling?

3. Figure out what you need.

Ask yourself, "What are the three things I need to get the solution?"

4. Think of potential solutions.

Identify the first small step you will take in the direction of the solution fulfilling any of those three needs.

How will you hold yourself accountable to follow through with it?

5. Celebrate.

How will you celebrate the successful execution of the solution?

Although it may not seem like it, problems arise because they want you to acknowledge some emotion within you .

The better you get at understanding that, the faster you will be able to cruise through all challenges, big or small.

RELATED: How To Solve Problems Like A Boss (Without Sabotaging Your Own Needs)

Bhavna Dalal is a master certified executive coach MCC ICF, speaker, and author of "Checkmate Office Politics" who helps people develop their leadership skills, such as executive presence, strategic thinking, influencing, and networking. To learn more about her work, visit her website or follow her on LinkedIn .

This article was originally published at Forbes India . Reprinted with permission from the author.

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How To Solve Problems In Life [All Of Them]: The Definitive Guide

This article has everything you need to know about how to solve problems in life. The problem solving process involves the ability to logically think through a situation or issue in search for a solution(s) to solve the problem. A problem is a gap between a current condition of what is and what must be, should be, or could be.

Problems are solved effectively using a systematic approach. Using the systematic approaches will cause the increase in high levels of effectiveness to solve problems. It is important to know and remember that the problem solving process involves a set of principles with steps to follow and each principle step is affected by many factors than can influence the outcome of a situation or issue.

A problem exists when situation in life fails to meet the expectations of what a person wants in his or her life. The principles needed for increasing the wanted outcome in life, are identifying the problem, and fixing the problem with improve or new solutions. Problem solving and decision making can involve any issue or task that needs to be resolve.

In order or solutions to be more effective, emotions must not rule over logic clear thinking. It is very important that emotions do not take over the decision making process.

How To Solve Problems In Life:

The first rule of problem solving.

The first thing to do is to define the problem and make sure it is a real problem, particularly your problem and not someone else’s problem or someone else’s fault. Approaching the problem for answers using the what, where, when, why, how and who questions of the current situation.

If the problem is too big or overwhelming, step back and stay calm, and analyze small pieces of information pertaining to the problem. Manage the problem using levels of priorities pertaining to which one needs to be addressed or responded to first using common sense and learned procedures or training. Remember there is nothing new under the sun and keep a positive mind and approach that the problem can be solved and may take time.

Analyze the problem from all angles is very important in clearly defining the problem and ensuring that best solutions to be presented. Collect all the information as you can about the problem to continue to analyze the extent of the problem and do not make any early impulsive decisions for final solution. Use self-discipline and write down a list of solutions that may be used while you are brainstorming.

This process can be completed by you or with the assistance of other people using the methods earlier stated. Be creative and open to new ideas, beginnings, and plans of actions. Ask yourself what is the risk for each solution and possibility of it working? Explore all the possibilities by asking these questions and analyze the cost and resources that are involved in implementing the solutions.

What is required for you to do and others need to do. What is the time frame needed for implementation and follow up? Complete the implementation and follow up to complete the problem solving process. Make sure that you continue to maintain a record or awareness of the aspects of the problem solving process.

Get the agreement from all the people involved in the problem solving process, establish a task schedule and time frame to continue to monitor the progress for an evaluation of the outcome to see if the solution is working.

Steps for Problem Solving

1. define and identify the problem.

This first step is critical. It is essential to clearly understand the problem so that all energy will be focused in the same direction. Define the problem by writing down a concise statement which summarizes the problem, write down where you want to be after the problem has been resolved. Get as much information about the problem as possible.

SEE ALSO:  How To Boost Your Personal Productivity: The Ultimate Guide

2. Analyze the Problem

In this stage of problem solving, questions should be asked and information gathered and sifted. It is essential to spend some time researching the problem.

Questions to Ask When Analyzing the Problem:

What is the problem and how long has it existed? How serious is the problem? What are the causes of the problem? What are the effects of the problem? What are the symptoms of the problem? What methods are available for dealing with the problem? What are the limitations of those methods? How much time is needed for gathering information and needed to solve the problem? What are the challenges in achieving the goal? Can the problem be divided into smart and large parts for definition and analysis?

3. Identify Possible Solutions

Identifying possible solutions to the problem objective is to complete a list of all conceivable alternatives to the problem. Using a variety of creative techniques can produce an extensive list of possible solutions.

Viewing Problems from a Different Perspective

As a leader, you can’t be surprised by problems. The best you can do is to be prepared for them. One of the ways a leader prepares is to have the right perspective when problems occur. The questions you ask about the problem has a way of shaping the perspective you have toward the problem. What do I need to do differently to solve this problem? What is keeping me from solving this problem? What will solving this problem make possible? What kind of story do I want to tell a year from now about this problem?

Solving Problems as a Leader

Are you a leader or a follower? When faced with a difficult problem, how do you react? How you face problems is one of the critical factors that help determine how successful you will be in life. It is also one of the key qualities of a leader! Leaders solve problems – followers go to leaders to get their problems solved.

The first thing to do when faced with a problem is to know there is an answer to the problem. Do not worry about the problem and work towards the answer will keep you in control of the situation by keeping attitudes and thoughts under control. Collect all the facts about the problem and know that most problems are not as big as they appear to be.

The examination of the facts will help you find a better solution. Decide if this really a problem that needs solving? How bad is the problem? What is the worst thing could happen if the problem is ignored? If the problem does need solving, what actions are needed to solve the problem. Brainstorm all the ideas and write them down to use for solutions to solve the problems in the future.

Consider the use of research to better solve the problem, search the internet, ask questions and read books. Use leadership by being decisive and selecting a solution, and implement it. For high priority problems do not be afraid to use some a quick fix solution is needed, which can be followed by a long-term solution to fix the problem.

If the problem is too big, seek assistance from support teams. Know when to let go of problems and used systematic approaches to solve your problems. Break the problems into small steps and components to track the progress of each one at a time. Test and monitor the solutions that are implemented, and do not be frustrated by any setbacks or failures, but continue to solve problems with integrity and honesty.

Solving Problems Effectively In Marriage/Relationships

Conflict happens; it’s a normal part of any relationship. Problems themselves are not necessarily a sign that a marriage or relationship is in trouble. Dealing with problems in unhealthy ways, however, is a signal of a troubled relationship. If a couple cannot develop an effective strategy for addressing problems, the result will be a backlog of unresolved issues, leading to bitterness, resentment and the breakdown of the relationship.

Most individuals are very poor problem solvers, primarily because they dislike any form of conflict or confrontation. Successful problem solving involves the ability of two people to listen intentionally as each shares their needs and concerns and to respond to what is shared with understanding and acceptance. A trademark of all maladaptive approaches to conflict is the lack of listening and responding positively to the needs expressed.

SEE ALSO:  How To Develop Good Habits In Life [With 99% Success Rate]

Problem Solving With Teenagers

As children become teenagers, they’ll come across problems they need to sort out themselves. You won’t always be there to give your child advice, but you can help him develop skills and strategies so he can solve problems on his own. Everybody needs to solve problems every day. But we’re not born with the skills we need to do this – we have to develop them.

When solving problems, it’s good to be able to: listen and think calmly, consider options and other people’s needs find constructive solutions and, sometimes, work towards compromises. These abilities are highly valued in both social and work situations – they’re skills for life. When teenagers learn skills and strategies to sort out problems and resolve conflicts by themselves, they feel more confident and independent.

They’re also better placed to make good decisions on their own. Problems can often be solved by talking and compromising. When you’re working on a problem with your child, it’s a good idea to do it when everyone’s calm and can think clearly, your child will be more likely to want to find a solution. Try to find a time when you won’t be interrupted.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to solve problems in life. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.

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Feeling anxious? Try smiling or doing a good deed to snap out of it

Marielle Segarra headshot

Marielle Segarra

Margaret Cirino, photographed for NPR, 6 June 2022, in Washington DC. Photo by Farrah Skeiky for NPR.

Margaret Cirino

Close-up photograph of a purple pencil with an eraser that is chewed up out of stress, displayed against a pink background.

When Jenny Taitz returned to work after giving birth to her second child, she started a bad habit. Out of anxiety, she chewed on her fingernail to the point that it got infected. And she needed emergency surgery to treat it.

If she had only paused for an emotional "reset," or taken a moment to respond to her stress, she might have saved herself hours in the ER, says Taitz, a clinical psychologist . "Stress resets are quick ways to improve how you feel in minutes. They allow you to do things that will help you solve problems rather than make things so much worse for yourself."

how do i solve problems in life

Jenny Taitz is a clinical psychologist and the author of Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes. Photograph by Dawn Bowery; Workman Publishing Company hide caption

Jenny Taitz is a clinical psychologist and the author of Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes.

That's the focus of Taitz's new book published in January, Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes . In it, she shares 75 science-backed techniques to help alleviate stress and anxiety in real time — "no ponderous meditations, medications or martinis required," she writes.

Taitz interviewed experts and combed through the latest research to compile a comprehensive menu of resets for her book. She explains what to do if you have trouble focusing or breathing, feel stuck in a cycle of panic, or can't stop obsessing over a problem. Here are a few of our favorites.

Name that emotion

Use when: You feel overwhelmed with negative emotions and you're not sure why you feel this way.

how do i solve problems in life

Photograph of several layered cards that are white with black type that list different emotions, including grief, guilt, jealousy, resentment, resentment, surprise, boredom, disgust, disappointment, loneliness, sadness, anger, anxiety, remorse, despair and worry Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

Photograph of several layered cards that are white with black type that list different emotions, including grief, guilt, jealousy, resentment, resentment, surprise, boredom, disgust, disappointment, loneliness, sadness, anger, anxiety, remorse, despair and worry

The technique: Observe and describe the emotion passing through you and label its intensity. Maybe you're feeling dejected and you're at a 3 on a 0 to 5 scale. When you're able to observe your emotion, this can "loosen the grip" of your sadness, anger or stress and "not be engulfed by them," says Taitz.

Researchers call this technique " affect labeling ." Taitz says it can disrupt the activity in your limbic system, the emotional part of the brain. It allows you to instead activate the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, the more reasonable part of your brain, which reduces the intensity of your emotions. Studies have shown that when people viewed upsetting images and labeled their emotions, they experienced significantly less distress.

Make a pie chart of your life

Use when: There's been an upsetting event and now you think everything is terrible — for example, you didn't get the job you really, really wanted.

Photograph of a pie chart constructed out of cut paper in various colorful sparkly shades, on top of a blue backdrop.

The technique: Grab a pen and paper and make a list of what you care most about: health, friendships, career, hobbies, family, pets. Assign each item a percentage based on how much it matters to you — then draw each segment in a pie chart.

The image should be an instant reminder that "there are a lot of other things that matter" in your life, says Taitz. So don't let the one thing that upsets you take up 100% of your thoughts.

The pie chart method is grounded in something called psychological flexibility , says Taitz. This is the ability to adapt to changing surroundings smoothly. Exercises like this one can help you practice perspective.

Wear a half smile

Use when: You're in a setting that is making you anxious, but you have to get through it — like when you're sitting in traffic, or about to give a big wedding speech.

Photograph of roll of colorful smiley face stickers unrolling in a spiral against a pink and purple background.

The technique: Do you tense up your face when you're stressed? If so, Taitz wants you to try a half smile.

Ever so slightly raise the upper corners of your lips. This will automatically reduce all that tension between your eyebrows and relax your face muscles, communicating to your brain that everything's OK, she says.

Taitz recommends wearing a half smile when you're in a strenuous or anxious setting. "If you're sitting in a lot of traffic, clenching your hands on the steering wheel and tensing your face, that's not going to help you accept what is happening," says Taitz. "But if you can soften your face, you're more likely to make peace" with your situation.

The half smile technique is rooted in what some researchers call the facial feedback hypothesis , the theory that our faces influence our emotions. In one 3,800-person study from 2022, people who changed their facial expressions to appear happier felt more positive emotions as a result.

The key is not to fake it, says Taitz. Focus on feeling tranquil both inside and out.

Do a good deed

Use when: You feel like you have no control over your life. Your apartment flooded, your date canceled, you lost your wallet – nothing seems to be going right!

A bouquet of pink and orange flowers made out of crepe paper are rolled up in a brown paper wrapper and held against a blue backdrop.

The technique: Many of the reasons why we feel stressed "are because we feel powerless. We're so focused on all the things going wrong," says Taitz.

Doing a good deed can remind you that you have the power and ability to make things better — for yourself and others. "You can live by your values even if so much is out of your control," she says.

These kind acts don't have to be time-consuming, she adds. They can be small, positive actions that you can do in a pinch: Send a friend a greeting card out of the blue. Be extra kind to your neighbors. Find a volunteer opportunity that resonates with you and commit to it.

These acts may even offer positive benefits to your health. One 800-person study of older adults found that those who did good deeds, like helping family members with errands or providing childcare, had a lower chance of dying from stress-related causes.

Taitz says all of these are actions like "small wheels on a big suitcase." A tiny tool can help make a difference in carrying a huge load. So pause the next time you're feeling stressed and give yourself a reset. "A moment of awareness and a strategy can make what feels overwhelming doable."

The audio portion of this episode was produced by Margaret Cirino. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected].

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Motivation Ping

How To Solve Your Problems In Life

how do i solve problems in life

Lets face it…

Life is not easy and is filled with many problems.

However, if you don’t want to lose motivation and continue on achieving your goals, then learning how to solve your problems as simply as possible is going to be critical to your well-being and mental health.

It is possible to solve your problems simply even if life is complicated and everything prompts us to complicate it even more.

In life, we have the art of transforming simple situations into complicated ones due to the fact that the mind reacts from fear and can over-complicate things.

Why, are we complicating our lives?

Does it come from us, from our education, from life, or is our brain programmed this way?

The fact is that we now live in a very busy and complicated world where we are constantly inundated with many issues and are therefore being overwhelmed with situations that can cause problems in our life. It is especially difficult when you need to combine your work and study.

Because they are stressful , most people tend to avoid these situations until it becomes highly problematic.

How to solve a problem in life?

Finding a solution requires a different perspective than the one you used to define the problem. So it requires a different intellectual approach: The act of solving a problem creatively is a different function of your brain than it allows you to define it analytically. The obstacle is not the problem, nor the relationship you have with it.

You won’t be able to solve it by keeping your nose stuck on it. The solution is often to move away from it and clear your mind to identify and invent a solution.

Therefore, you should see a problem-solving method.

  • How can I solve it?
  • I am using a problem solving method.
  • I stop thinking about the problem and focus on the solutions.
  • I ask myself the right questions.
  • I take action to solve my problem.

Some examples of questions:

  • What are the solutions available to me?
  • Who can I contact to resolve it?
  • What means do I have at my disposal to solve this problem?

People are especially sensitive to problems at a young age. Students are just starting their adult lives a little at a time, and this is very frightening. One of the best solutions to situations like this is to learn from other people’s experiences.

(Note: If you want some ideas on how to go about this, here are some essays that can help you. Now lots of problem and solution examples to choose from are available absolutely free.)

By stopping, (i.e. talking about the problem), which only makes things worse, it is better to spend your energy on solution-oriented thinking.

Change your thinking about the problem

When you are faced with a problem you often get stuck without even finding the beginnings of a solution. This is often explained by the fact that you are caught, even stuck in the situation, stuck in the emotional and the subjective. Taking a step back and taking a step back, changing your mind, occupying your mind with something else, increases your chances of finding a way out. Whether it’s the movies, a game of chess, or a bike ride, you need to excite the areas of your brain that help creativity. Often these will be free activities, in all cases an activity far away or even the opposite of the one in which your problem is found.

In fact, you change your point of view and go look at it from another angle, and now discover flaws in its difficulty, beginnings of passage, trails of light that were not visible before.

Explore unknown territory

You may be facing an issue that another has experienced that is similar enough that you can borrow the solution. But the solution may not be what you need. Your talent as a problem “solver” will consist in adapting it to fit it into your approach. Which company or person has experienced such a problem? How can you tailor its solution to your situation? Not only do you find inspiration by examining others, but you confront your brain with other paths.

Do some brainstorming

Brainstorming requires being in a group to brainstorm ideas. While waiting to bring people together, try brainstorming yourself, or over-activating your brain. Here are some ways to provoke a “storm” in your neurons and find a solution. Give him another name, try to knock him out all at once, or just laugh at him. You surely have to drive out of your mind dogmas and preconceived ideas, principles that prevent you from changing the way you see and act. Free yourself from habits and thought patterns, from psychological blockages to consider an effective way of thinking about your problem. It’s not easy on your own, but it will get you going.

Try to put yourself in your problem’s shoes, oversimplify it or change the order of the parts, ask yourself how others other than you would do, or just imagine how a child would approach the issue. And if you don’t succeed, quickly create your creativity group to brainstorm and you will see that you will find solutions very quickly.

Often by dint of seeing the problem (s), we only see the problem and it is impossible for us to see the solutions.

So we worsen the situation instead of improving it.

And that’s a big deal, because the majority of people do this.

In addition, here are some tips for an everyday problem.

1 – Be pragmatic

To solve a complex problem, it is not necessary to see it in its entirety, but to break it down into sub-problem.

This applies to all areas of life, personal or professional.

Take, for example, the goals you want to achieve .

First, you need to set an overall medium to long term goal.

The task could quickly become insurmountable. As the days go by, you will feel like you are moving further and further away.

You will lose confidence in yourself and you may give up before you can realize it.

If instead, you break down your goal into smaller goals, succeeding each other.

So, you will achieve your overall goal without realizing it, just while keeping your motivation intact.

In all areas of life, it is the same and our life would be improved.

2 – Do not wait until the problem is insurmountable.

As soon as you have a problem, resolve it immediately.

Look for the solutions, do it, help you if possible.

3 – Don’t hide the problem.

There is no point in hiding the problem under the rug, you will only make the situation worse.

No, on the contrary, keep ahead of you, clearly visible while taking action to resolve it.

4 – Lying leads nowhere.

It is not by lying to yourself or by lying to others that you can find a solution.

Also, it will seriously damage your reputation and others will not trust you anymore.

5 – Use your tools at your disposal.

There are tons of tools that we can use to solve our problems.

You just have to look for them to find them.

Take action and don’t wait for them to be brought to you on a silver platter.

6 – Stop procrastinating or pushing back.

Delaying or postponing until the next day is not the best solution, it will not help in solving your problems.

7 – Set up the tips.

If you are given a piece of advice and it turns out to be effective, it should be implemented and used.

Because knowing it is not useful, what is is using it.

How to solve a problem of everyday life?

The next time you need to solve your problems,

  • Remember to break it down into a simple problem.
  • Take action to find a solution.
  • Don’t hide it under the rug, that doesn’t help.
  • Stop scaring and worrying yourself. This is bad for you.
  • Get help from competent people.
  • Listen and act on the advice.
  • Stop pushing back.

Learn to become the actor in your life and stop having to live with it. For this, adopt from today the habits of success.

Look for ways to improve your life every day, and that means solving small problems quickly before they become overwhelming.

how do i solve problems in life

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How to Solve Problems in Life

How to Solve Problems in Life

Problems, problems, problems! How to solve problems in life? Guess what? Even kids have problems. It is part and parcel of life. Without problems how would we ever find success or be happy. If there is a problem, only we have the power to solve it.

The ability to solve problems in life can make a huge difference and it gets easier when you realize that problems are simply choices.

Once we find out the way to solve it, we will be happy. How to solve problems in life? As we say, problems are persistent and that makes it worse.

But, every problem also has a solution. Right? Then why don’t we find them? The answer is simple: it is difficult and time-consuming. People want to take it easy in life and when a problem hits, they just want to ignore it.

How to solve problems in life?

To be an effective problem-solver, you need to be systematic and logical in your approach. Most people believe in evading the problem or even trying to wish it away. This never happens and like cancer, it will eventually spread and reach a point where it is difficult to control.

It is the negative attitude of a person towards problems that make them enormous. Accept problems as they come and try helping yourself by looking out for the ways to find solutions.

Another thing is whenever a tricky or problematic situation strikes and you try to tackle it, you might be saving yourself from a huge problem in the future. For instance, when you know that the house may catch fire, you will get a fire extinguisher. You wouldn’t let the house catch fire! The point is that problems can also be taken as opportunities that will help you solve bigger problems.

However, if you are a lazy person, then of course problems will always remain a problem no matter how small it is.

Problems need to be looked at it in different ways so that you do not feel their burden. Now let us see how to make the problem look like solutions.

Know the problem

Basically, the initial step will be to know what the problem is and then get to the root of it. After understanding the problem, you will know its intensity and size. Whatever the size, you have to go about gathering the facts and work it out to solve it. Success lies in your approach to handling and solving the problem. Finding a way out helps you keep emergencies at bay and stay composed in chaotic times.

Think Rationally

There are bound to be problems in life. Accept that. Now, you have the perfect mindset to think rationally. Although (not always, but most of the time), it is important that you share your thoughts about the problem with someone close or the person who can really help with it. If you are flexible in looking at a problem, you can view it from many different perspectives.

Some people need guidance in life and they can achieve greater things. So let your mind be open to suggestions and advice that will help to make life a little easier.

Of course it all depends on the type of problem—whether it is personal or anything else. Another aspect is the root of the problem that is why the particular problem is there.

Learn from the past

You can analyze your mistakes and then solve them. Problems can even be solved by checking out past mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and you will be set on the right path. Be confident. Making an attempt to solve the problem is your responsibility towards your life and from which you cannot shy away.

Ask for help

What’s wrong with that? You are human, right? So what if you are an achiever ? You can still ask for help. That will not lower your esteem. Instead, you can get plenty of solutions from all kinds of people and you can choose what suits you the best.

You cannot solve a problem with the same level of consciousness that created it ~ Carl Jung ( Tweet this )

Anger will not help

Yelling at everyone because of a problem will make the situation unpleasant. Keep a smile on your face and see how people react. But with an angry face, people will only create more problems for you.

Conclusion – how to solve problems in life

Everyone has problems in life. “How to solve problems in life?” is the question that everybody needs an answer to. The problem is the result of not accepting something that is not fine and not solving it at the right time. However, one thing is sure, ignoring a problem means aggravating the situation and on the contrary, grabbing it right in the beginning definitely has some hope for a solution.

It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail. ~ Abraham Harold Maslow ( Tweet this )

Solve your problems in life carefully. Some problems just have to be managed. There’s no simple way to solve, avoid or minimize them. The problem isn’t a cover for a larger issue. It’s just a problem. You have to deal with it.

When people know what to do, they don’t get upset. It’s when they don’t know what to do that they get overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. ~ Anon ( Tweet this )

So Solve, Avoid, Cut, Address, Cope and try to solve problems in life!

  • personal skills
  • problem solving

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About the Author

Vandana singhal.

Vandana Singhal writes extensively on science, technology, health, and travel. Vandana has a degree in science and is artistic in nature.

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Problems Worth Solving Competition

Text: Problems Worth Solving

Steve Jobs famously said, “You've got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology, not the other way around.”

Understanding your customers’ experiences requires that you become experts in the progress they are trying to make in their businesses and personal lives and the problems they encounter. The Problems Worth Solving Competition asks participants to explore this critical part of the entrepreneur’s journey - identifying and exploring problems that could be the basis for a great business.

This competition does not require a solution to the problem, only an important problem that could be the seed of a startup or investment made by an established enterprise.

Contest entries will use an online form that asks for short answers and to upload a short 60-second video. One application per person will be limited, and only the first 75 entries will be accepted.

Five finalists will be invited to present their problems live in front of judges at the main event. The presentations will consist of five minutes of a student pitching their problem and five minutes of Q&A. No slides will be used during the presentation, but you may bring one visual aid if appropriate.

There will also be three honorable mention prizes awarded. Honorable Mention winners will receive a cash award and an invitation to a private reception with judges and finalists at the Main Event.

March 8, 2024 - Applications will open.

March 15, 2024 - Applications will close at 11:59 p.m. (no late applications accepted).

March 22, 2024 - Five finalists and honorable mentions will be notified by 5 p.m.

March 27, 2024 - Finalists workshop (date/time to be coordinated with finalists).

April 6, 2024 - Final event from 9 a.m. to noon.

Each finalist will receive a cash prize. Judges will determine the prize winners as follows:

  • $2,500 - First Place
  • $2,000 - Second Place
  • $1,500 - Third Place
  • $1,000 - Fourth Place
  • $500 - Fifth Place
  • $250 - Honorable Mention (3 awarded)

In addition to a $2,500 award, the first-place finisher will also be awarded the honor of being the guest sponsor of a 2024-2025  Aggies Invent . One Aggies Invent for next school year will feature the winner’s problem as the theme for the event, and the winner will present their problem, provide coaching during the event and serve as one of the event judges.

Judging Criteria

Judges will evaluate the entries based on the following:

  • Is the problem clear and concise?
  • Is it clear what people and/or organizations have the problem?
  • Is a compelling case made that the people/organizations with the problem perceive it to be worth spending money to solve?
  • Is the target market large enough to support a high-growth business?
  • Is it clear that the existing solutions to solve the problem are inadequate or absent?

We will have judges representing Texas A&M faculty from across campus as well as entrepreneurs, innovators and experts from industry.

Eligibility

All current Texas A&M College Station students are eligible.

You must be able to be physically present for the finalist workshop and final event. Do not apply if you cannot be on campus for these events.

Finalists from previous Problems Worth Solving competitions are not eligible.

Application Tips

The best problems will combine the popularity (how many people or organizations have the problem), severity (how much pain, cost or opportunity is created) and importance (with what significance do people perceive the problem).

The written portion of the application should be used to illustrate the details and specifics surrounding your selected problem. A general problem statement won’t differentiate your application. "Everyone" is not specific enough to describe who has the problem you are presenting.

Use credible external sources to support any examples and estimates. Be sure to cite those sources.

The videos may be recorded using your laptop, smartphone or a more sophisticated camera. Pay attention to the lighting, background noises, recording volume and other distractions. Please make sure you are visible for the majority of the video as we would like to see you present the problem. You may use multimedia, advanced editing software and other embellishments, but they are not required. The judges will use the video to determine how well you know the problem and your ability to communicate it.

Check Last Year's Competition Article

Additional Resources

How to Evaluate Startup Ideas , a video from Kevin Hale from Y Combinator incubator that explains attributes of good problems for a startup to solve

The Problem Statement Canvas for Startups and Innovation Teams , an article by Marius Ursache about what makes a good problem statement and how to make yours better

99 Startup Problems , a summary of problem statements from some of the most successful tech companies

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property is owned by the competitors unless otherwise assigned. In developing their application, pitch and presentation materials, competitors should again keep in mind that it is their full responsibility to protect all proprietary and confidential information.

Competitors concerned about the protection of intellectual property may research intellectual property protection at the Texas A&M University Libraries Patent & Trademark Resource Center or the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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