5 Steps to solving a problem

Talk a Problem, don't Think a Problem

Years ago, I would think about problems that I had and try to find solutions, sometimes even writing them down. These things helped, but I came to realize working with a physical trainer, an ex- tennis player who I had coached, that when we got stuck and had a problem we would literally just talk about it and talk about it, and talk about it. 

I remember at one point saying to him, "It's kind of a waste of time just talking about it all the time. We should do something about it." He said, "No, no, let's just talk a bit more, because we don't really know what to do." 

The more we talked through a problem, suddenly that light bulb moment would occur when we'd go, "Ah, now that's the next step." 

I've come to realise that actually talking about a problem will give you an answer a lot quicker than just thinking about a problem. 

What I advocate is having somebody close, that you trust to talk problems through. 

On occasion even if you literally talk a whole problem through with a stranger, amazingly just the process of talking will often lead you to the place where you go, "Ah, actually I know what to do now." 

If you feel stuck, try to talk about a problem rather than think about a problem, and you may come up with a solution far faster than just thinking about it. 

You're probably sitting on the answers, but you can’t actually find them by thinking about it. Often the process of talking helps you find the answers you already have. 

There are very few problems in our life that deep down we don't actually have the answer to, because obviously we're so invested in the problem we have all the facts at hand within us.

That's why I say the process of talking about it somehow releases you, allowing the answer to float to the surface. 

It's like, well wow, okay, that's what I need to do. 

The 5 Steps to solving a problem

1. Find Somebody that you can talk to, preferably but not necessarily someone that is knowledgeable about the problem
2. Discuss the problem and wait for the breakthrough thought
3. the answer will often come sooner rather than later
4. The next step will almost always need refining 
5. This is an evolving process

Written by David Sammel