How to Face the Problem

As calm as possible. It’s normal to overreact when problems arise, but it can lead to bad decisions. ^[1] Before you start to tackle a problem, control your emotions, calm yourself, and deal with what’s going on more effectively.

• Take a deep breath and say to yourself “let go” when inhaling and “let go” when exhale. This helps you control your heart rate and relax. ^[2]
• Motivate yourself, “I can get through it. This is a challenge, but I can find a solution.”

Accept responsibility for the problem. Consciously recognize the problem and then accept your duty in it. ^[3] This allows you to start actively confronting the problem in a constructive way. ^[4]

• Write down a list of problems and causes. This can help you visualize, accept, and deal with the problem.
• For example, if you’re late on your mortgage payments, accept that you’re responsible for some or all of the problem. ^[5] Similarly, if you get a bad grade, acknowledge your role in getting the low score.

Assess the situation before responding. If you’re facing a problem and you’re not sure who or what caused it, take some time to think before reacting. It’s easy to blame others, especially when you feel challenged or suffocated by what’s going on, but blaming will backfire and lead to more problems. ^[6] Take a moment to determine if the problem is caused by an objective impact (someone or another thing beyond your control) or a subjective impact (self-inflicted or damaged) , or both.

• Objective reasons . If someone hits your car in a parking lot, that’s an example of an objective cause problem. You are not the cause of the accident and there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
• Subjective causes . If you’re late for work because your alarm clock is off, here’s an example of a subjective cause. In this situation, the most important thing is to recognize your own role in being late for work, thereby avoiding repeating this mistake in the future.
• Both objectively and subjectively . If your group gets a bad grade on your presentation, chances are there are things you can all do better, not one individual. Try to define your role in the situation and take responsibility.

Find solutions quickly. Many problems require quick and immediate solutions. Stay calm and give yourself as much time as possible, you can find a solution to the problem.

• Remember to take a deep breath before you act.
• Evaluate, review the situation and information about it as quickly as possible. ^[7] For example, if the toilet is flooded, you can check the tank or toilet bowl to see what the problem is. Similarly, if someone yells at you and looks angry, your best bet is to withdraw from the scene.
• Give yourself as much time as possible to analyze the problem and find a solution. For example, if your coverage expires and you don’t receive a renewal notice, call your insurance company to inquire about the coverage solution as soon as possible. ^[8]
• Think of many different solutions to a problem and decide which is the most appropriate. ^[9] For example, if the toilet overflows, you can call a plumber immediately or try to stop the water from flowing. However, you can also stop the water from flowing at first by shutting off the valve in the sink and then calling a plumber or unclogging the toilet.
• Consider other aspects if the problem has many other people involved. ^[10]

Identify the problem pattern. As you sit down and look at the problem, especially without blaming anyone, you’ll notice some patterns of your own behavior that lead to challenges. Identifying those patterns will help you solve problems more effectively.

• Make a list of what’s causing your problem. For example, “paying bills late” or “lazy at school”.
• Figure out what you can do to change, what will help you deal with this problem.

Set problem-solving goals. The first step to solving that problem is to aim to overcome it. Set problem-solving goals that you can achieve. ^[11]

• Use the SMART method to set goals. SMART means: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. For example, you might want to deal with a past due mortgage loan. Your goal might be, “I want to settle my mortgage with the bank within the next 2 months. I will contact the lender and talk about my delay and ask about solutions to get the account back in good standing.”
• Write down the problem and the proposed solution. At this point, the problem and the solution become intuitive, helping you strengthen the will to face the problem. For example, you might write: “I spent unwisely and failed to pay my debt on time. I need to review my spending habits and restore my account to good standing.”

Keep expectations realistic. Being realistic about the outputs of your problems in a rational way will help you deal with them more effectively. ^[12] Binding yourself to unrealistic solutions creates additional problems and causes stress. ^[13]

• Check to see if your expectations are realistic by reviewing your goals.
• For example, depending on the amount of debt and the remaining payment period, you may not be able to pay off your debt in the next 2-3 months. Remember that you need to eat and pay the bill. Consider talking to a creditor, partner, or financial professional about effective strategies for dealing with the problem.
• Maintaining realistic solutions reduces the stress that makes problem-solving more difficult. ^[14]

Believe in yourself. Negativity and indulging in problems are not constructive solutions. Believe in yourself and your ability to solve problems positively, this will help you overcome difficulties more effectively. ^[15] Remember your past accomplishments to increase your willpower during these difficult times.

• Give yourself a chance to focus on the positive things in life. This allows you to look at problems from a different perspective and shows that you can handle anything that comes your way. ^[16]
• Say a positive affirmation about yourself. For example, “I know I have a grade problem, but I’m really good at chemistry. I can apply my chemistry skills to other subjects.”
• Associate with individuals who also believe in your abilities and support your will to solve problems quickly and effectively.