Resolving Issues: A New Approach to Problem Solving
Posted on December 06, 2011 by Wendy Lilja, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
The number one issue holding people back from realizing their dreams is...
During ten years of life coaching I realized that the number one issue holding people back in all life areas; physical, personal, professional and spiritual is problem solving. One of the first exercises I give to each of my new clients is often about resolving issues because if they don’t understand how to solve problems, then they really can’t move forward with a degree of success that will develop a lifetime of growth and empowerment.
1st of a 2 part series: Resolving Issues: A New Approach to Problem Solving
2nd part: Decision Making
Defining Issues to Resolve
The activities of problem solving and decision-making are a part of the process of change that I like to call issue resolution. When we begin to make internal life changes, we will have many old and new issues we will want to consider dealing with so we can move forward with a clean slate into our new Life Vision.
First, let’s replace the old “problem solving” adage with the more upbeat terms, “resolving” and “issues” to create a positive process called resolving issues, which will tickle our brains to think about “problems” differently because semantics simply do matter.
Basic Guidelines for Resolving Issues
Define the issue
This is often where people struggle. They react to what they think the problem is instead of seeking to understand more about why they believe there is an issue.
Defining the issue: Start with something relatively trivial. Then ask yourself the following questions:
1. What can I see or feel that causes me to think there’s an issue?
2. Where is this issue happening? (at work, home, in the car etc.)
3. How is it happening? (verbally, non-verbally, aggressively, etc.)
4. When is this issue happening?
5. With whom is this issue happening?
HINT: Avoid jumping to conclusions about, “Who is causing the problem“. When we’re stressed, blaming is often one of our first reactions. To be an effective issue resolver, manager, partner, friend and family member, you will need to address the issues instead of blaming people.
6. Why is the issue happening?
When you’ve answered these basic questions journal about your feelings during the process. Where were you stumped, annoyed, pissed off or intrigued, relieved or happy?
