Summarize

Stop Making Excusing. Start Solving.

Make a plan.

Plan everything. Writing can help you identity your triggers, habits, and beliefs that influence your behaviour. It can help you solve problems with the biggest resources you currently have. You.

Here are some steps to solve problems using writing:

1. Define the problem in one sentence.
2. Provide clear details about the problem, including the context, background, consequences of not solving it, and the root cause or causes.
3. Brainstorm solutions. Think of as many ways as you can to address the problem. Don’t judge or reject any idea at this stage. Just write them all down.
4. Evaluate the options. Go through each solution and weigh the pros and cons. Consider the feasibility, effectiveness, and potential side effects of each option. Rank them from best to worst.
5. Choose an option and act on it. Make a plan on how to implement it and why you are doing it. The how and the why are the two most important things for doing anything.
6. Evaluate your result after some time. See how you are doing. If the solution worked, celebrate your success. If not then try another option.

If you want to do it faster, try making a statement using this structure:

I want to (ideal), but I (reality), which (consequences). Instead, I could (potential solution).

For example:

I want to save more money (ideal), but I spend too much on online shopping (reality), which affects my budget and financial goals (consequences). Instead, I could set a monthly limit for my purchases and transfer the remaining amount to a savings account (potential solution).

Or

I want to have a healthy lifestyle (ideal), but I eat a lot of junk food and skip exercise (reality), which affects my physical and mental well-being (consequences). Instead, I could plan my meals ahead, and schedule some time for physical activity every day (potential solution).

If this is hard to make, then you can use the what’s:

• What is your goal?
• What is your reality?
• What are the consequences of your current situation?
• What can you propose as improvements?

If this is hard too, then you can try:

• What is the problem?
• Where is the problem situated: internal or external or both?
• When does the problem occur: daily or weekly or specific events or when around certain people?
• Why does the problem occur?

This was to help you get some structure while solving a problem.

You can also try just writing your stream of consciousness and make sure you include the above points to solve it rather than just vent and feel better or worse for sometime.

Authors note: This is a method that I use frequently and successfully. I mostly use it for physical or mental health issues. I usually involve other people in the process after I have written some solutions and evaluated the options. They can help me make any changes. They can also help me stay accountable.

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