As long as we live in society, there are going to be problems that need to be solved. The problems can be in various forms, both at the personal and societal levels, or at personal and professional levels. The fact that problems appear proves that life is not constant but an ever progressing and evolving function. As such, it is important for all members of the society to develop problem solving skills.
Problem solving is defined as the way by which solutions are developed to remove an obstacle from achieving an ultimate goal. To solve a problem, we need to first identify the problem and then determine the cause of the problem. This has to be followed by identifying, prioritizing and selecting alternatives for a solution. Finally, problem solving is achieved with implementing a solution.
Problems range from personal concerns to more complex issues but all problems are obstacles that need to be resolved. As such, problem solving is not problem termination. While solving a problem, we should be very sure that we are actually solving the problem in question and not merely terminating it.
By terminating a problem, which often is more convenient, a problem may temporarily appear to have been solved but it will reappear in the long run – wearing a more complicated nature. As such, even if it may be more painstaking, we must give our best to actually solve it so that it will not reappear as an even bigger and more complicated issue in the future.
A problem, no matter how big it may appear, always has a solution. In the process of addressing the problem, there may be times when we will run out of ideas or patience but we should not let that become an excuse to simply terminate the problem. Solution to real problems may not always fit into our problem-solving paradigms and that is often when we tend to end up terminating a problem instead of resolving it.