The Complete Guide to Problem Solving



Art:  Mike Worrall



There is no problem in the world that cannot be solved by using one of the four options below:

(1)  Fix it

Some people know they have a problem but they forget they can actually fix it. There's a story told about a man who complained that every day for lunch he had tuna sandwiches.  “If I have tuna sandwiches one more time I”m gonna kill myself!” he said.  But the next day, he again has tuna sandwiches! Someone asked him who made the sandwiches, and he replied: “I make my own sandwiches”.    This may sound like a silly story, but if you think about a situation hard enough, you may come to the conclusion that you are the one responsible for it, and you can do the changing.

(2)  Seek Advice

If you personally can’t fix the problem, talk to someone who can.  Talk to a doctor, a friend, a lawyer, an accountant.... whatever the problem is, talk to someone who you respect and has the extra knowledge with which to help you fix it.

(3) Walk Away - and don't look back

If the first two solutions are not applicable: that is, you cannot fix it, and you cannot talk to anybody who can fix it, then there’s a simple solution: Walk away from it.  Remove the problem from your life and your thoughts and forget it ever existed.

(4)  If none of the above are applicable to your situation: in other words, you cannot fix it and you cannot walk away from it..... because it could involve a child, or close friend or relative.... and you cannot change them and you cannot walk away from them....... then there is one more solution:

Accept it.

“Accept it” doesn't mean “tolerate it” - it means Accept it. This is what Hashem has given you, and there is obviously no way out. You must accept it, and by doing so your entire outlook will instantly change.