Terminology of Problem Solving

We should know the basic terminology for Problem Solving. This report proposes seven terms such as Purpose, Situation, Problem, Cause, Solvable Cause, Issue, and Solution.

Purpose

Purpose is what we want to do or what we want to be. Purpose is an easy term to understand. But problem solvers frequently forget to confirm Purpose, at the first step of Problem Solving. Without clear purposes, we can not think about problems.

Situation

Situation is just what a circumstance is. Situation is neither good nor bad. We should recognize situations objectively as much as we can. Usually almost all situations are not problems. But some problem solvers think of all situations as problems. Before we recognize a problem, we should capture situations clearly without recognizing them as problems or non-problems. Without recognizing situations objectively, Problem Solving is likely to be narrow sighted, because problem solvers recognize problems with their prejudice.

Problem

Problem is some portions of a situation, which cannot realize purposes. Since problem solvers often neglect the differences of purposes, they cannot capture the true problems. If the purpose is different, the identical situation may be a problem or may not be a problem.

Cause

Cause is what brings about a problem. Some problem solvers do not distinguish causes from problems. But since problems are some portions of a situation, problems are more general than causes are. In other words causes are more specific facts, which bring about problems. Without distinguishing causes from problems, Problem Solving can not be specific. Finding specific facts which causes problems is the essential step in Problem Solving.

Solvable Cause

Solvable cause is some portions of causes. When we solve a problem, we should focus on solvable causes. Finding solvable causes is another essential step in Problem Solving. But problem solvers frequently do not extract solvable causes among causes. If we try to solve unsolvable causes, we waste time. Extracting solvable causes is a useful step to make Problem Solving efficient.

Issue

Issue is the opposite expression of a problem. If a problem is that we do not have money, the issue is that we get money. Some problem solvers do not know what Issue is. They may think of "we do not have money" as an issue. At the worst case, they may mix the problems, which should be negative expressions, and the issues, which should be positive expressions.

Solution

Solution is a specific action to solve a problem, which is equal to a specific action to realize an issue. Some problem solvers do not break down issues into more specific actions. Issues are not solutions. Problem solvers must break down issues into specific action.

Thinking patterns

This report lists fourteen thinking patters. Problem solvers should choose appropriate patterns, responding to situations. This report categorized these fourteen patterns into three more general groups such as thinking patterns for judgements, thinking patterns for thinking processes and thinking patterns for efficient thinking. The following is the outlines of those thinking patterns.

Thinking patterns for judgements

In order to create a value through thinking we need to judge whether what we think is right or wrong. This report lists four judging patterns such as strategic thinking, emotional thinking, realistic thinking, and empirical thinking.

Strategic thinking

Focus, or bias, is the criterion for strategic thinking. If you judge whether a situation is right or wrong based on whether the situation is focused or not, your judgement is strategic. A strategy is not necessarily strategic. Historically, many strategists such as Sonfucis in ancient China, Naplon, M. Porter proposed strategic thinking when they develop strategies.

Emotional thinking

In organizations, an emotional aspect is essential. Tactical leaders judge whether a situation is right or wrong based on the participants emotional commitment. They think that if participants can be positive to a situation, the situation is right.

Realistic thinking

• Start from what we can do
• Fix the essential problem first

These two criteria are very useful. "Starting" is very important, even if we do very little. We do not have to start from the essential part. Even if we start from an easier part, starting is a better judgement than a judgement of not-starting in terms of the first part of realistic thinking. Further, after we start, we should search key factors to make the Problem Solving more efficient. Usually, 80 % of the problems are caused by only 20 % of the causes. If we can find the essential 20 % of the causes, we can fix 80 % of problems very efficiently. Then if we try to find the essential problem, what we are doing is right in terms of the second part of realistic thinking.

Empirical thinking

When we use empirical thinking, we judge whether the situation is right or wrong based on our past experiences. Sometimes, this thinking pattern persists on the past criteria too much, even if a situation has changed. But when it comes to our daily lives, situations do not change frequently. Further, if we have the experience of the identical situation before, we can utilize the experience as a reliable knowledge data base.

Rational thinking

Rational thinking is one of the most common Problem Solving methods. This report will briefly show this Problem Solving method.

1. Set the ideal situation
2. Identify a current situation
3. Compare the ideal situation and the current situation, and identify the problem situation
4. Break down the problem to its causes
5. Conceive the solution alternatives to the causes
6. Evaluate and choose the reasonable solution alternatives
7. Implement the solutions

We can use rational thinking as a Problem Solving method for almost all problems.

Be courageous – win your fears

Before talking about fears, look at famous, historical person Napoleon Bonaparte notion about fear:

“There are two levels for moving men – interest and fear” .

We see, that this person gave a large importance for fear, particularly in men’s life.

Fear is a powerful, unpleasant feeling of risk or danger, either real or imagined. Fear is a very real thought form, we create it. Fear begins from our illusions, where negative entities feed on negative entities. Fear is only one negative energy.

In general it can be classified in three categories:

1. Fears, connected with survival issues;
   
2. Fears, connected with our individual identities;
   
3. Fears, connected with our relationships.

There is not category, in which fears is carry – over, like fear of water or of restricted places. These fears can be dealt with our memories of past life.

Scientists classify fears in these three basic categories:

Paranoia is a term used to describe a psychosis of fear, described as a heightened perception of being persecuted, false or otherwise. Sometimes, the result of extreme paranoia is a phobia.

Distrust in the context of interpersonal fear, is sometimes explained as the internal feeling of caution, usually focused towards a person, representing an unwillingness to trust in someone else.

Terror refers to a pronounced state of fear, which usually occurs after the state of horror, when someone becomes overwhelmed with a sense of immediate danger.

Of course it can be related to a number of emotional states including worry, anxiety, terror, fright, paranoia, horror, panic (social and personal), persecution complex and dread.

Fear is related with our body, and as the result, our body includes a large number of responses to fear:

• the brow or other parts of the body sweat profusely in order to keep the body cool as it flees;
• the muscles tighten in preparation for combat;
• the senses are sharpened in order to take in vaster quantities of information;
• the hands usually as a reaction open and cover face;
• when a fear stimulus occurs unexpectedly, the victim of the fear response could possibly jump or give a small start;
• the person's heart rate and heartbeat may go up.

TREATMENT. There are a few steps how to control fear, how to help ourselves.

First of all you should learn how to foster internal control of fear and take the measure of fear. Measuring includes intensity and duration of fear.

Internal control. It means to show that though there are frighten actions, you can exert some control over it.

It is also important to have relaxation training, for instance, meditation or yoga.

If you feel that you can not to “fight” with yours fears, you should to go to psychologist, which would help you. One of the most famous therapies nowadays is cognitive therapy. It is a type of psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s. Beck came to the conclusion that the way in which his clients perceived and interpreted and attributed meaning—a process known scientifically as cognition—in their daily lives was a key to therapy. Cognitive therapy seeks to identify and change "distorted" or "unrealistic" ways of thinking, and therefore to influence emotion and behavior.

So the most important thing is to understand that you can not stay with your fears. You must to cure of them and enjoy your life without any internal or external interferences.

Elixir of joyful life - laughter

Laughter - an expression or appearance merriment or amusement. Laughter is a good healthy way to release tension and emotions. Laughter, more often, "looks for" the funny side of life. People have cured themselves of illnesses by learning to laugh more. A hearty belly laugh is good for the soul. Watch comedies, read comical stories or books! It is the best cures for your mood.
90% of what people worry about are imaginary possibilities that never occur. We often ask " what if this happens?". "What if" is the classic statement to creating imaginary possibilities. Subconscious mind reacts to what is real or imaginary the same way. A good example is when you watch a horror movie, you know it is not real, but your subconscious mind produces a body responses if it is. So, try to think heavier in your life, do not load down with "what if" your daily life.
Some studies indicate that laughter differs depending on the person:
women tend to laugh in a more "sing - song" way, while men more often grunt or snort.

There are a few types of laughter therapies:

• Humor therapy. It is also known as therapeutic humor. Using humorous materials such as books, shows, movies or stories. This can be provided individually or in a group setting. There are some difficulties with group setting, because every person has own humor and what is funny for one part, maybe will not be funny for others. It is extremely important that the clinician would be sensitive to laugh "with" clients rather than "at" the clients.
• Clown therapy. The clowns perform for others with the use of magic, music, fun, joy and compassion, especially this therapy helps for children,- in some children the need for sedation is reduced. Other benefits include pain reduction and the increased stimulation of immune function in children. The presence of clowns tends to have a positive effect.
• Laughter therapy. A client's laughter triggers are identified such as people in their lives, that make them laugh, things from childhood, situations, movies,
• Laughter meditation. There are some similarities to traditional meditation. However, However, it is the laughter that focuses the person to concentrate on the moment. n the first stage, the person places all energy into the stretching every muscle without laughter. In the second stage, the person starts with a gradual smile, and then slowly begins to purposely belly laugh or cry, whichever occurs. In the final stage, the person abruptly stops laughing or crying, then with their eyes now closed they breathe without a sound and focus their concentration on the moment. It continues about 15 minutes.
• Laughter yoga and laughter clubs. This therapy is similar to traditional yoga. Laughter yoga is an exercise which incorporates breathing, yoga, stretching techniques along with laughter. The structured format includes several laughter exercises for a period of 30 to 45 minutes facilitated by a trained individual.

jokes, comedians, basically anything that make the laugh.

These therapies sometimes is not recommended for particular patients. While it has been argued that laughing can be good for the heart, sometimes it has actually caused a stroke or heart attack.
In conclusion, I wanted to add that many years people are seeking for long life, but I think that the best elixir of successful and long life is the laughter!

Conflicts in our lives

In our daily round we are all involved in many situations, that need to be dealt with through negotiation. It occurs all over – at university, at home or when we are just resting.

Conflict mean disagreement of notions or interests, when one person wants something and it is not necessarily what the other wants. Internal or external “fight” involves our thoughts, perceptions, memories and emotions. In these cases both try to find the best solution.

Resolving conflict can be mentally exhausting and emotionally wasting. Because it becomes hostile and when strong feelings become involved.

But it is important to realize that conflicts, which require resolution is neither good nor bad. It can be destructive, but can also play a productive role for you personally and for your relationships.

Studies have shown that negotiation skills are among the most important determinants of career success.

There are the five modes of responding to conflict:

1. To yield to somebody,
2. Compromising,
3. Collaborating,
4. Avoiding,
5. Competing.

Types of conflicts:

- Individual conflict,

- Conflict between organizations (intersectional),

- Interpersonal conflict.

How to work out conflicts?

(Fairly and peacefully)

1. STOP before you lose control of your temper and make the conflict worse.

2. SAY what you feel is the problem. What is causing the disagreement? What do you want?

3. LISTEN to the other person's ideas and feelings.

4. THINK of solutions that will satisfy both of you.

If you still can't agree, ask someone else to help you work it out.

Views of conflicts

It depends on which kind of views person have, because it will show the style to govern.

Bureaucrat or conservative persons think that conflict is not necessary. More over, it is very destructive phenomenon, which reflects all failures of bad planning and leadership. These people think that conflict is the same thing as fight, unpleasant discussions, anger and stress. Bureaucrats say that only sticking the rules helps to avoid conflicts. Their methods for solving the conflicts arise repressive, negative atmosphere. They tend to fine for mistakes.

Opposite notion to conflicts have humanists. They are liberal – minded people, that is why they say that conflicts are normal and common thing, because people have different demands.

It is necessary for growing effectiveness.

More over, humanists agree with opinion, that people can to conflict and collaborate at the same time..