How to Solve Any Problem: in 10 simple steps

1. DON’T PANIC
©2014 ANDREY SCHUKIN

1. KEEP CALM
1. DON’T PANIC
No, saying repeatedly “there’s not enough time to solve
the problem” won’t help.
Stay calm.
After all, you got all these slides to help you out.
Whew.

2. TRUST
THE PROCESS

9. TRUST
THE PROCESS
2. TRUST THE PROCESS
Follow the rules and you’ll be OK.
Rule 1: Don’t start coming up with solutions before you know what
the problem is. Ask: am I solving the right problem?
Rule 2: Don’t start to evaluate solutions before you have several to
choose from. Ask: do I have enough options to choose from?
Problems are solved by first examining the problem, then exploring
the possibilities, and only then evaluating them.
It may sound like common sense, but many, many of us skip a step
(or two). Shame.
Are you solving the right problem?

3. PICK YOUR
TARGET

3. PICK YOUR
TARGET
3. PICK YOUR TARGET
Define ideal result.
Imagine that your problem is solved.
Or that it’s just not a problem for you anymore.
How would such ideal situation look like?
Even better: if you had a magic wand, what would you wish ?
Are you sure? Really?
Ok then. You’re the boss.

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX
4. CHOOSE THE BOX
How far are you ready to go to look for solutions?
Unless you got a gazillion years to figure out your problem, you
need to limit the solution space. Let’s look at the example.
Problem: Your bike ride to the office is too bumpy.
Here are some possible “boxes” where solutions may hide:
 Box A. Ideas to make a seat softer
 Box B. Ideas to get a new city road built
 Box C. Ideas to change the office
 Box D. Ideas to get a new helicopter
Are you looking for a gel pad or a helicopter? Decide before you
start coming up with ideas. Stay focused.

5. SPY
ON OTHERS

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX
5. SPY ON OTHERS
Borrow ideas from others. Or steal them.
I won’t judge you.
Yes, we all know you are unique. But your problems aren’t.
Someone, somewhere, has already solved the problem you have.
Ask yourself this: Who had a similar problem and solved it?
Who has already figured out how to get to the result you want?
What did they do? Can you do something similar? If you imagine you
could, how would it look like?

6. RECYCLE
EVERYTHING

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX
6. RECYCLE EVERYTHING
Use all the stuff you already got.
Have a closer look at everything you have got already. Can you use
some of this to solve the problem?
For example:  things and money that you’ve got,
 any products/results that you’ve already created,
 your skills and personal qualities,
 private and professional networks,
 old ideas, and so on.

7. EXPERIMENT
MORE

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX
7. EXPERIMENT MORE
You'll never know unless you try. So mess about.
I agree, new is not always better.
But it’s still worth having a look at unusual solutions.
Consider new things that you never done before, things outside of
your comfort zone. New solutions that seem wacky at first.
Might they help? And if yes, why not try them out?

8. KEEP
LOOKING

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX
8. KEEP LOOKING
Don’t settle for the first pretty idea that comes your way.
I know you can do better.
We tend to fall in love with our ideas. Especially the first one. And
the love is mutual. But so what?
How would you know it is the best one? Tell your idea you need
some time to reconsider your feelings, then go out and find some
more.
A bit of healthy competition doesn’t hurt. And your first one will wait
for you. Pinky promise.

9. EVALUATE & COMBINE
IDEAS

9. COMBINE
9. EVALUATE & COMBINE IDEAS
Be fussy and cherry-pick.
IDEAS
Once you have a range of different options, evaluate the pros
and cons for each idea. Think:
 What’s great?
 What’s still not good enough?
Then try combining different ideas together to get rid of
disadvantages but keep the good bits.

10. GO WITH
YOUR GUT

4. CHOOSE
THE BOX
10. GO WITH YOUR GUT
If all options seem equal, trust your intuition.
What if you have evaluated all your ideas almost to death, and still
don’t know which one to pick?
Then this advice is for you:
♥Listen to your heart♥ (yes, your mum was right after all).
And pick one option already, for God’s sake!

GOT THE SOLUTION?
NOW GET MOVING!
Alright, so here’s the deal:
once you decided what to do,
take the first step towards your
goal within 24 hours.
It doesn’t matter how big or
small this step is; take it as
soon as possible.
Good luck!

How to Solve Any Problem: in 10 simple steps

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