Every Problem Has A Solution

[faithsdaddy]

I love this saying. It's one of a few that I really live by. I believe that however desperate a situation may get, there is always a solution- and a 'best possible' one too, if we can think it.

When I have a hard to solve problem, there are a few things I do;

-I come up with a solution as fast as possible that will definitely work, then refine it
-Imagine what the best case scenario fix is and then get as close as possible
-Try to learn from the experience

I believe that there is nothing that can't be fixed, if we're resourceful, committed and clever enough to think it through.

What are your thoughts? How can I improve the model? Is any problem solvable?

My favourite, would be if you could give an example of a tough problem that was solved

I would really love to hear your thoughts and insights.

[MyEyeIsOpen]

I like this mindset too. The reality is that NOT all problems have solutions. But if we operate as though there is always a solution, we're much more likely to find one or at least something close to one.

So the question isn't whether it's strictly true, but whether it's useful. And it certainly is.

[sorter]

I definitely think that's true with computer problems.
One reason I like, finally, fixing the damn thing.
But sometimes the fix will take more time than you have.

I'm not so sure that's true with relationships, or people, even with enough time.
But I'll continue to hope, assume, it is true.
.

[beast]

I don't believe it's true, but I'm a pessimistic, crotchety person.

[Angela]

When I have a hard problem to solve, I:

1) Transform it.

Usually by reminding myself that it's not really a problem; the existence of "problem" is a story we tell ourselves, a story that inspires loads of stress and struggle -- a couple of things I don't prefer.

[secrets0stolen]

I believe every situation presents opportunity for improvement. I think "no-win" situations are rare, unless we manufacture them in our heads, and I think perfect solutions are almost as rare.

Real life isn't a computer program; the problems and solutions are not so neatly defined.

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by MyEyeIsOpen

I like this mindset too. The reality is that NOT all problems have solutions. But if we operate as though there is always a solution, we're much more likely to find one or at least something close to one.

So the question isn't whether it's strictly true, but whether it's useful. And it certainly is.

This is a good point too. I think it might even be better to go case by case and believe "THIS problem has a solution, until proven otherwise". And well, proofs only exist in mathematics.


(I use 'problem' and 'solution' out of convenience. Like I said in my other post I prefer the way 'situation' and 'improvement' frames it, because in my opinion it bears more resemblance to life as a whole.)

[tod]

Coming up with a plot for my novel was the hardest mental challenge I've tackled so far. And I write software, too.

Integrating the abstract theme of the novel with the nature of the characters and the events that make up the story was incredibly hard. It wasn't as easy as just saying "This happens, then this happens, then this happens." It took weeks and weeks of thinking to find a climax that would tie up the events in the book and be thematically appropriate. And all you can do is just sit there while you're thinking. It's excruciating.

But, I did keep in mind that every problem has a solution. Sometimes I had to tell myself that verbally! You can't prove that there isn't a solution to a given problem!

And after a long process of iteration, going through possibility after possibility, the inspiration came and I had an awesome climax.

I think that solving a problem in a really crude way and then refining it actually does work. This is what I do in software. And it worked for Solo Flight. Rather than deliberate about what the story should be like, I just jumped in and came up with a simple plot, then questioned, refined, changed constantly until I really had something.

[scotthegeek]

I use to think that but it is true that there are some problems that have no solution because the rule don't allow. But most of these are not real world problem they are brain teaser that are made that way to drive people crazy.

If any one wants to list what they believe is an unsolvable problem it would be interesting to see the brain storming that we could come up with. although that is what this forum dose for personal problems it would be interest if we talk about world problems.

It might be best to start a new thread though.

Scott

[faithsdaddy]

Originally Posted by scotthegeek

If any one wants to list what they believe is an unsolvable problem it would be interesting to see the brain storming that we could come up with.
Scott

Go for it Scott (and anyone else game);

Mine;

- Want to become a property developer, but I don't earn enough to be able to buy a second house. Couldn't afford a partner, because margins are too tight.
- Missus wants to work from home but has few marketable skills. Looked at proof reading, but says the thought of it fills her with dread.
- Want to quit my job now, so I can spend time with family. Working on SBI (super slowly though). If I just quit, then I only have 3 months before we lose the house, so 'just' walking out is irresponsible.

Ok, now for some real toughies;

- End suffering, poverty, environmental damage and wars
- How can I run a sub 2 hour marathon
- How can I get to 5'10 (2 and a bit shorter)

If you can make a dent in these, I'll reveal my most secret problems and let you have a crack at them

[Brutha]

I'm general of the opinion that you don't try big enough things when you think that every problem has a solution.
Radical realism and accepting that there are problems that aren't solveable allows you to be able to stop working on problems on the right time.

- How can I get to 5'10 (2 and a bit shorter)

I think there a Russian way of solving the problem. It's about breaking bones and letting them wire together again.

Wearing shoes with high heels is a more mundane alternative and there are shoes where other people don't.

- How can I run a sub 2 hour marathon

Inline skates?

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by faithsdaddy

Go for it Scott (and anyone else game);

Mine;

- Want to become a property developer, but I don't earn enough to be able to buy a second house. Couldn't afford a partner, because margins are too tight.

Just sell your current house for as much as possible, (after improving it), use that money to buy another house, and sell it for a bit more... etc. Just until you have the money to buy a second house.

- Missus wants to work from home but has few marketable skills. Looked at proof reading, but says the thought of it fills her with dread.

Stop looking at what she cannot do, and start looking at what she wants to do. Any skill can be learned. Passion is already inside her. What is her passion, and what will she need to learn to be able to do that?

- Want to quit my job now, so I can spend time with family. Working on SBI (super slowly though). If I just quit, then I only have 3 months before we lose the house, so 'just' walking out is irresponsible.

What are other side jobs that you could take that would not involve your job? Maybe a part time job in a super market, and part time writing on Elance or other websites, while working on your own website? day trading? mowing lawns in your neighborhood?

Ok, now for some real toughies;

- End suffering, poverty, environmental damage and wars

Start with yourself. What are YOU doing to cause poverty, suffering, environmental damage and wars? Not only for others, but also for yourself.

- How can I run a sub 2 hour marathon

Start running today. Start training. Get a tiny little bit faster each and every day.

- How can I get to 5'10 (2 and a bit shorter)

Are you taller or shorter now?

If you are taller; get a doctor to cut of some part of your legs.

If you are shorter; wear heals

If you can make a dent in these, I'll reveal my most secret problems and let you have a crack at them

Lets have it with the secret problems!!

[gene2009]

Originally Posted by faithsdaddy

I love this saying. It's one of a few that I really live by. I believe that however desperate a situation may get, there is always a solution- and a 'best possible' one too, if we can think it.

When I have a hard to solve problem, there are a few things I do;

-I come up with a solution as fast as possible that will definitely work, then refine it
-Imagine what the best case scenario fix is and then get as close as possible
-Try to learn from the experience

I believe that there is nothing that can't be fixed, if we're resourceful, committed and clever enough to think it through.

What are your thoughts? How can I improve the model? Is any problem solvable?

My favourite, would be if you could give an example of a tough problem that was solved

I would really love to hear your thoughts and insights.

Sorry, but i think you never had real big problems if you've still thought every problem can be to fix. Of course, it's nice to believe you're able to solve any problem, but this is the belief and not the fact.
However, probably, we're speaking about different things. Sure, a broken car, an empty pocket or a bad habit isn't an insoluble problem. But some kinds of problems can be adopting to life but not to solve.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by gene2009

Sure, a broken car, an empty pocket or a bad habit isn't an insoluble problem. But some kinds of problems can be adopting to life but not to solve.

Such as?

[Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi]

I tend to try to take a long view and re-frame what I see as a problem as a learning opportunity. For me, fixing the problem isn't as important as recognizing the feelings that the "problem" elicits in me?

IME most problems just fix themselves. That may seem lazy or lax to some people, though, I know. I just have complete and total faith that everything will work out for the best for everyone involved, and I acknowledge that what I assume to be a "finding solution" is merely my way of keeping busy until the solution is presented to me. Like, what I want is not necessarily what would be best (because sometimes what I want it clouded by my own limitations). But when I release myself to the universe, what I want is always eventually presented to me, though not necessarily in the exact form that I had envisioned - and the reality is always a crazier and more fun adventure than I could have envisioned!

I have been working a lot on complete and total submission to what is, and it's really been very surprisingly pleasant.

A lot of time the only problem that eventually resolves itself is my resistence to what is. If that makes any sense. I have a hard time expressing these things clearly with words because they are just like bouys in my consciousness.

[gene2009]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Such as?

Sorry, i didn't understand your question.
Simple, i'd like to add that everyone has his/her scale of problems.
One of my close friends says : "Gene, you would make tons of bucks if you create a blog on a subject how you overcome your problems". I dislike this idea, and i hate a donation button at all.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by gene2009

Sorry, i didn't understand your question.
Simple, i'd like to add that everyone has his/her scale of problems.
One of my close friends says : "Gene, you would make tons of bucks if you create a blog on a subject how you overcome your problems". I dislike this idea, and i hate a donation button at all.

I am sorry. I meant; what type of problems do you feel have no solution, and you will just have to get used to them?

I am not talking about taking on other peoples solutions as your own of course, but I was just wondering what your problem would be for which you do not see a solution and for which you feel you just have to learn to live with.

[faithsdaddy]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Just sell your current house for as much as possible, (after improving it), use that money to buy another house, and sell it for a bit more... etc. Just until you have the money to buy a second house.

We bought it with my Mum, so she wouldn't go along with that.


Stop looking at what she cannot do, and start looking at what she wants to do. Any skill can be learned. Passion is already inside her. What is her passion, and what will she need to learn to be able to do that?

We did that. She makes really great jewellery, but it seems that it's not much of a payer. She's not what you might call a passionate person.

What are other side jobs that you could take that would not involve your job? Maybe a part time job in a super market, and part time writing on Elance or other websites, while working on your own website? day trading? mowing lawns in your neighborhood?

As 'jobs' go, it's not that bad. I just want to earn much more and only work 4 hours per day (I work about 6 at the moment)

Start with yourself. What are YOU doing to cause poverty, suffering, environmental damage and wars? Not only for others, but also for yourself.

Fair point. Nothing is the honest answer. Not proud of it.


Start running today. Start training. Get a tiny little bit faster each and every day.

I used to be a great runner as a lad, but now I'm 6 stone overweight, I plod. Besides, a 2 hour marathon is 3 minutes faster than anyone has ever done it.

Are you taller or shorter now?

I'm 5'7". Just tall enough not to be short- just

If you are taller; get a doctor to cut of some part of your legs.

If you are shorter; wear heals

Not bothered about appearing taller. Want to BE taller

Lets have it with the secret problems!!

I smashed my nuts up in a motorbike crash when I was a lad and in 6 years of trying, we've only managed one kid. I would love 4 or 5.

[gene2009]

Originally Posted by ssandra

I am sorry. I meant; what type of problems do you feel have no solution, and you will just have to get used to them?

I am not talking about taking on other peoples solutions as your own of course, but I was just wondering what your problem would be for which you do not see a solution and for which you feel you just have to learn to live with.

Ok, I understood you now. Maybe i couldn't enter in this topic correct. Probably, Faithsdaddy did mean something other under a word A PROBLEM. For example, if you lost an eye, how you can solve this problem? Yes, this is an abstract example, but this is an exact example of an insoluble problem, isn't? You cannot buy a new car this year, is it a problem? I think no, because you'll be able to do it next year if you work smart or hard.

[gene2009]

We did that. She makes really great jewellery, but it seems that it's not much of a payer. She's not what you might call a passionate person.

Create a small online store and try to sell the items there. I also sold my first items via yahoo groups. Try webstore, it's free. Also i had a link to a free handmaking craft auction. I can dig a link from my notes. Let me know if you wish it.

[gene2009]

Originally Posted by faithsdaddy

We did that. She makes really great jewellery, but it seems that it's not much of a payer. She's not what you might call a passionate person.

Faithsdaddy ,
Create a small online store and try to sell the items there. I also sold my first items via yahoo groups. Try webstore, it's free. Also i had a link to a free handmaking craft auction. I can dig a link from my notes. Let me know if you wish it.

[ssandra]

ah ok.

I'm not even going to go the route of all the doctors and artificial insemination and stuff.. I'm assuming you've already tried all that?

If there is a problem for which you see no solution, you can reframe the situation so that there is one.

For example; what I would do if I couldn't have children (already decided that, early in life) is to open my home for foster children. It would mean that I wouldn't have a child in the traditional sense of the word, but I would create a super large family and create huge change in the world by doing that..
So although the main problem wouldn't go away (having a child of my own) it would on the other hand go away (because I'd have a large family).

So depending on how you formulate your situation (I cannot have anymore children vs I want to have a large family) depends on if you can see a "way out".

I also think (realizing this just now) that the way you formulate things say a lot. If you formulate a problem, you will get a problem. If you formulate a goal/outcome/situation that you want, you can go and look for more ways of creating that outcome.

You create more options in your life.

[faithsdaddy]

All makes sense. Of course, for all of the 'problems', I have come up with something of a solution. Was just hoping that someone else could come up with a better one

[Federer]

I also believe in this saying. It's great and tells you that change your mindset. Thanks for sharing it here.

[faithsdaddy]

Originally Posted by Federer

I also believe in this saying. It's great and tells you that change your mindset. Thanks for sharing it here.

If you can really get behind it, and convince yourself that it's true, then anything is possible...

[gene2009]

Originally Posted by ssandra

ah ok.

I'm not even going to go the route of all the doctors and artificial insemination and stuff.. I'm assuming you've already tried all that?

If there is a problem for which you see no solution, you can reframe the situation so that there is one.

For example; what I would do if I couldn't have children (already decided that, early in life) is to open my home for foster children. It would mean that I wouldn't have a child in the traditional sense of the word, but I would create a super large family and create huge change in the world by doing that..
So although the main problem wouldn't go away (having a child of my own) it would on the other hand go away (because I'd have a large family).

So depending on how you formulate your situation (I cannot have anymore children vs I want to have a large family) depends on if you can see a "way out".

I also think (realizing this just now) that the way you formulate things say a lot. If you formulate a problem, you will get a problem. If you formulate a goal/outcome/situation that you want, you can go and look for more ways of creating that outcome.

You create more options in your life.

Do you think you decided that problem with the children in your example? I think you adopted to the problem at all.
Anyway, I'm glad for that people who believe every problem can be to solve. It would be the ideal world if every one could solve problems.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by gene2009

Do you think you decided that problem with the children in your example? I think you adopted to the problem at all.

I am sorry but I don't get your question... ?