Problem solving is one of the necessities of life.  We solve problems every day – while some problems are big, most are small and every now and then a life or death problem comes along!

Problem solving becomes like second nature – at times you do not even realise that you are using a method to solve a problem!  The human brain is wired to work as fast and efficiently as possible, which means it looks for short-cuts wherever possible.  When solving problems, we use problem solving methods (habits) that are most familiar to us. That does not mean it is the best or the most creative solution possible.

Problem-solving is an art, and as humans we can either do what we have always done, which means receiving the same results, or we can learn about the process of problem-solving and see it as a new habit, an attitude or a mind-set, rather than just a tool.

When we take a step forward into creative problem-solving, it becomes a series of ongoing possibilities or opportunities.

• It helps us develop a proactive way of living, where problems are identified more as challenges to be engaged creatively to deepen our personal learning.  That is when the other benefits of problem-solving become evident.

Example:  World famous leaders – those who have excelled at solving massive human problems – such as Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela developed their creativity, leadership, persistence, and collaborative cooperation as a result of engaging more deeply in the problem-solving process.

• It encourages groups of people to learn to cooperate with each other for the common goal of discovering the best solution, which in turn necessitates developing and using good communication skills.
• It teaches flexibility and creativity, which can produce a more positive attitude towards learning in general. The process of learning something new becomes more interesting and enjoyable.
• Solving problems can stimulate curiosity and trigger active participation in the learning process. This can bring subjects being studied ‘alive’, and result in increasing personal insights, and lateral, creative thinking.
• It can produce increased feelings of personal competency.  Once we have connected to the problem and successfully found a solution, it just feels good to master something successfully.
• What is discovered in one situation from problem-solving, can often be generalized to other areas in life. With repetition of generalizing solutions to other problems, patterns emerge, which allows for greater understanding and leads to more effective problem-solving.

Albert Einstein, a great problem solver once said: “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I would spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem, and five minutes thinking about the solution.”