Many successful people say that most of their problems and failures were invaluable lessons they have learned on the way to success. They never complain since those experiences have helped them realize that every challenge brings an opportunity to search and discover the right solutions.
Finding a solution is not like there is a key that opens the door to every problem — and shows you the way out of any tricky situation. The key is your mindset, specifically how you think, feel, and act when you encounter problems or challenges.
What is a solution-oriented approach?
A solution-oriented approach is an attitude of mind that focuses on finding solutions to problems. It is a problem-solving mindset that focuses on identifying and resolving issues as they arise.
Rather than dwelling on the problems or difficulties at hand, a solution-oriented approach encourages people to act and find solutions. The key is to shift your focus from the problem to the solution.
A person who adopts a problem-solving approach tends to find success when they put their energies into finding solutions rather than dwelling on what went wrong or finding someone else responsible for whatever problem they are facing.
Why is a solution-oriented approach so important?
The solution-oriented approach is important because it focuses on solving the problem rather than what went wrong. It allows us to take a step back and assess the situation objectively to find a resolution.
It also enables us to be more creative and flexible in our thinking, which leads to better outcomes. A solution-oriented approach allows you to cope more effectively with the challenges of everyday life—whether at work, at home, or anywhere else.
How to be a solution-oriented person?
You can learn how to be solution-oriented person. And the benefits of doing so are large—it can help improve all aspects of your life, at work and beyond.
Here are 11 examples of how to become solution-oriented:
1. Manage your perception
The first reason you might fail to see solutions is your mindset. To you, perception is a reality. The way you perceive things shapes your emotions and behavior. Your belief is not a reality, it is just your perspective of a situation.
Our beliefs shape the way we see things, and in turn, those things influence our thoughts and feelings about them. This can lead to a vicious cycle of negative thinking that perpetuates the same problems repeatedly.
If you want to develop solution-oriented thinking, you must free yourself from negative thoughts. Manage your feelings so that you do not get stuck in a rut. Your feelings are your own, but they have nothing to do with the facts.
2. Stop thinking about the problem
If you think about your problems, they will grow bigger and seem insurmountable. Your thoughts are powerful. What you believe is becomes possible.
But you should never underestimate the power of positive thinking. That is because positives attract more positives and negatives attract more negatives.
When you focus on negative things, you will find more negatives. It is important to be solution-oriented rather than problem-oriented. This means looking for solutions rather than focusing on what is wrong with a situation.
When you focus on solutions, instead of your frustrations with an obstacle or challenge in front of you, it removes any negative energy which would otherwise be draining and makes you unable to focus on potential solutions.
Solutions are always abundant and readily available if we look for them.
Also read: 10 Examples of Taking a Risk
3. Surround yourself with positive people
Positive thoughts will attract positive people. When you surround yourself with negative people, it is hard to stay positive.
Negative people can be very manipulative and they pull you down regularly until your entire world is gloom and doom.
If you surround yourself with negative people, your outlook on life will likely change for the worse. On the other hand, if you are around positive people, you will be like them.
It is much easier to remain upbeat and focused in a positive environment. People can help one another stay positive.
Positive people tend to become more optimistic, solution-oriented, confident, and proactive that leads them to see problems as opportunities for growth and solutions. They are also less likely to get caught up in negative emotions that can bog down the mind.
It is easy to become discouraged and down on yourself, but those who are optimistic and stay positive tend to bounce back quickly from adversity or challenges in life.
4. Cultivate optimism by finding potential opportunities
It is easy to become overwhelmed by the problems in our lives and feel like we can never achieve happiness or success. But you can flip that mindset around and cultivate optimism by finding potential opportunities for improvement and then focusing on solutions.
When we find something wrong, it puts us in a much better position to do something about it. And once we start looking for solutions, our minds at once begin wandering while scanning for anything that may help us solve the problem.
The simple act of thinking about what you can do differently creates a sense of relief and calmness because you know that something can be done about it.
That is where the first step to a new, improved state of mind so, shift your focus from what is wrong to what could be right — you will find yourself becoming more optimistic—and more solution-oriented—in no time.
5. Change your blinkered view
Some people may be so invested in their blinkered view that they will refuse to change even when presented with evidence to the contrary.
A blinkered view is an inability or unwillingness to consider alternative viewpoints or solutions to problems. It is difficult to change someone with a blinkered view into a solution-oriented person.
In general, people with a blinkered view can be very stubborn and often refuse to see anything that contradicts their own opinion.
If you want to solve problems, you need to consider other people’s views. This means being willing to listen to others, even if you disagree with them.
Read also: 17 Simple Examples of Team Building Activities
6. Stop trying to be right
Stop trying to be “right” and start looking for solutions. When you are focused on being right, you are not listening to the other person.
You are just waiting for your turn to speak so that you can correct them and prove that you know more than they do. And second, being right does not get you anything but an argument.
If someone else’s opinion conflicts with yours, it does not mean they are wrong or that your opinion is better than theirs.
It just means that you have two different perspectives on a topic, and there may not be a perfect answer for everyone.
Many people get stuck in conflict mode (trying so hard not to be wrong) because they cannot let go of their opinion and stop listening to others. They go into a defensive mode and only want to “win” the argument, also known as “being right”.
7. Stop awfulizing
Awfulizing is making a situation out to be worse than it is. If you feel like the world is crashing down on you, you are awfulizing.
If you find yourself thinking that things could not get any worse, remind yourself that they can — and will.
We tend to focus on all things that can go wrong, and this kind of distorted thinking can be very paralyzing. But when you take a step back and objectively assess the situation, you can begin to look for workable solutions.
Once we are free from negative emotions, we can become much more solution-oriented and take positive steps towards resolving the problem.
This is because you are no longer see the problem through negativity and despair, but as an obstacle, you can overcome with some effort and creativity.
The first step is always acknowledging and accepting that the problem exists. We often avoid this step because it is uncomfortable, but we need to face the reality head-on.
8. Learn to face your fear
Fear is a natural response to challenging situations, if you let it take control then everything will end up bad. When we are in a state of fear, our instinct is to run away from the things that frighten us.
But when we are brave and control our fear, it helps us to do something constructive. Instead of running away or hiding from challenges, we now dare to confront the challenges.
So, the more you face your fears head-on — one step at a time – the less power they will have over you, and before long, you may find yourself enjoying each new challenge because now you have the knowledge and experience to take it on.
9. Avoid perfectionism
Perfectionism is all about achieving the perfect outcome, and it can often lead to paralyzing indecision and a fear of failure.
Perfectionism can lead to dithering and frustrations. It can be particularly damaging when solving a problem because avoiding or delaying decisions can make problems worse.
People who suffer from this perfectionism become so focused on achieving the perfect result that they lose sight of what is important in life.
On the other hand, solution-oriented people are more focused on finding a helpful solution than getting things exactly right.
They are not afraid of making mistakes and are more likely to act even if they do not have all answers. This makes them quicker to find solutions and more effective problem-solvers.
10. Be proactive instead of reactive
Solution-oriented people are proactive in finding solutions to their problems. They take responsibility for themselves.
Stop waiting for things to happen and start making them happen. This shift in attitude leads to a change in behavior.
Instead of looking at problems as something to be avoided, or something that is someone else’s fault, you start viewing them as opportunities for growth and learning.
You become more resourceful and creative in finding ways to solve them. And finally, you develop the resilience needed to cope with setbacks and challenges along the way. So, it is liberating and energizing to be proactive instead of reactive.
Read also: 18 Examples of Personal Aspirations
11. Ask positive questions to find solutions
When you ask a question, you put yourself in a position of vulnerability. You admit that you do not know something and that you need help.
Nobody likes asking for help. Yet, by asking questions and seeking information from others, you give yourself the best chance at finding an effective solution.
When you ask positive questions, it helps to think of the answers as practical solutions rather than on the basis for more problems.
Positive questions help us focus on the solutions that are available to us. They help us see the possibilities in every situation and motivate us to act.
Here is an example of a positive question; what could I do to energize myself more at work? This positive question is less emotional and invites a solution-focused answer.
People who ask positive questions tend to be curious, more open-minded, and less judgmental.
Ultimately, being curious enables us to learn and grow as individuals. It helps us explore new possibilities and expand our horizons. By changing the way, we think, we can change our whole attitude and perspective about anything.
Conclusion
Becoming a solution-oriented person is a mindset that will serve you well in any area of your life. By taking this proactive approach, you will find potential solutions before problems even arise. And if a problem does come up, handle it more positively and productively.
So how do you go about becoming a solution-oriented person? Well, the first step is to become aware of your default ways of thinking and behaving.
Are you someone to dwell on problems, or are you more likely to seek solutions? Once you understand your tendencies, you can start making slight changes in your thinking and acting.
