Analyzing Worry through reformed problem solving
Today’s Tip: “Basic Techniques in Analyzing Worry”
Dale Carnegie was a smart. He lived his life not worry about the past or the future, but of the present. With your background in living for the now, and knowledge for facing trouble, and yesterday’s post about reminding yourself that your health is important – we’re going to the next level. Today we’ll talk about decision making.
“We must equip ourselves to deal with different kinds of worries by learning the three basic steps of problem analysis ... obvious stuff, right? Yes. You and I must use it too if we are going to solve the problems that are harassing us and turning our days and nights into veritable hells” – Dale Carnegie
Problem solving analysis follows one basic outline that can be construed many different ways. The way Dale Carnegie envisioned a stress-free zone and problem solving heaven was to follow a formula. First, Get all the Facts. Next, Weigh all the facts. Then, Once a decision is reached, act! Lastly, Write out and answer the questions we must ask ourselves about the problem.
Get all the facts. Ever try to approach a conflict or issue without knowing all the cards? We all have. When we don’t know the full story and the details to the problem, and we pass a judgment – we are often wrong, and feel embarrassed. That is because we didn’t take the time to get all the details from all relevant parties. If you’re having a problem with a coworker over who the report should be done by – start by getting the facts. Ask your boss for clarification over whose task it is.
Weigh all the facts. Once you have the full story, come to a decision based on the facts. Weigh your decision dependent on the issues we see with each factoid. We’ve all made decisions without having the facts, it happens, its human nature. Get all the facts, weigh them and then come to a decision. Your boss tells you the responsibility of the report is on your shoulders. Now that you know that what have you decided?
Once a decision is reached, act! So you have decided that you are going to work on the report immediately after getting all the facts from your boss, and then coming to a decision (that is, you must do the report). Instead of feeling bitter or upset that you must now do the report, embrace the role and write the best report you have ever written. Determination and motivation are guiding factors with acting on a decision. Make it matter to you and act on that decision.
Write out and answer these questions.
1. What is the problem?
2. What are the causes of the problem
3. What are the possible solutions to the problem
4. What is the best possible solution?
Use these guiding questions to form decision-making processes. Examine what works and what doesn’t work
“Can you apply these questions to your business problems? To repeat my challenge – they can reduce your worries by 50%” Dale Carnegie
Post your success stories in the comment section below, let us know how you fared practicing this strategy.