[Video] How to effectively solve problems encountered

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Problem-solving skills: A systematic cultivation from anxiety to insight

"There are no unsolvable problems, only solutions yet to be found." Einstein(Albert Einstein)

Have you ever noticed a type of person in the world who seems unfazed by any challenge, whether it's a thorny business problem, a family conflict, or a major life decision? They always manage to analyze things clearly and calmly, ultimately resolving the crisis. Meanwhile, we often find ourselves overwhelmed and achieving little when faced with the same difficulties. The core difference lies in a crucial ability—Problem-solving ability.

This ability is not an innate talent, but a systematic approach that can be learned and trained. This installment will analyze the components of problem-solving ability from the underlying logic to practical methods, providing a timeline and key milestone charts to help you truly master this core competency that can change your destiny.

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What is true "problem-solving ability"?

Truly effective problem-solving ability is not a single skill, but a combination of...Calm system, essential insight, execution engine, retrospective iterationThe closed-loop system consists of four key links (see Figure 1). Mastering this system means being able to have a "God's-eye view" when facing problems, and to comprehensively and systematically advance the solution process.

Figure 1: The four-stage closed-loop system of problem-solving ability

Calm System → Fundamental Insight → Execution Engine → Retrospective Iteration ↆ___________________________Ↄ

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Calm System: The Starting Point for Breaking the Impasse

When a problem arises unexpectedly, a person's first reaction is like the first domino, determining the course of all subsequent actions. Many people are easily swept up by emotions at this moment, with anxiety and complaints following one after another, and rational thinking disappearing completely.

▍ Neuroscience Basis: Amygdala Hijack
In 1995, psychologist Daniel Goleman proposed the "amygdala hijacking" theory, which explains the physiological mechanism by which emotions suppress rationality. Under stress or anxiety, the amygdala in the brain triggers emotional responses first, inhibiting the rational function of the prefrontal cortex and leading to impulsive decision-making.

▍ Practical calming techniques:

1. The Ten-Second Pause Rule
   This is not simply waiting, but rather utilizing the physiological interval required for the human body to switch between emotion and reason. Taking a deep breath for ten seconds helps the brain detach from emotions and shift to the rational channel. Neuroimaging studies show that a ten-second deep breath can reduce amygdala activity by 401 TP3T and increase prefrontal cortex blood flow by 301 TP3T, laying a physiological foundation for rational thinking.
2. Role detachment method
   Imagine yourself as a detached consultant, analyzing the problem from an objective perspective. Research shows that this method can reduce the influence of emotions on decision-making by up to 65% and helps uncover key details that are obscured by emotions.

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Essential Insight: The Five-Question Analysis Method and Problem Origin Tracing

The key to solving problems lies not in taking swift action, but in accurately pinpointing the root cause. Often, what we see is only the surface; the real reason lies hidden beneath the surface.

▍ A classic case of the 5 Whys analysis method
In the 1980s, the exterior walls of the Jefferson Memorial in the United States suffered severe corrosion. Through persistent questioning, a consulting firm uncovered the chain of problems:

1. Why is the exterior wall severely corroded?
   → Due to frequent use of highly corrosive cleaning agents for scrubbing.
2. Why is frequent washing necessary?
   → Due to severe accumulation of bird droppings.
3. Why are flocks of birds gathering?
   → Because there are spiders on the wall, the birds eat the spiders.
4. Why are spiders so numerous?
   → Because of the large number of flying insects, spiders feed on them.
5. Why are flying insects gathering?
   → The lights from the east-facing window at night attract phototactic flying insects.

Final solution: Draw the curtains.A fundamental solution that is low-cost and highly effective.

Table 1: Application Framework of the Five-Question Analysis Method

Problem level	core issues	Possible reasons	Analysis tools
appearance	External wall corrosion	Cleaning agent corrosion	On-site observation
shallow	bird droppings	Birds gather	Environmental survey
Middle level	Spider reproduction	There are many flying insects	Biological chain analysis
deep	Flying insects are attracted to light	Unobstructed nighttime lights	Light source management
fundamental	The curtains were not drawn.	Neglect of management process	System optimization

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Execution Engine: 3D Propulsion System

Once the root cause of the problem is identified, effective execution becomes crucial to success or failure. Execution is reflected in three dimensions:Implement efficiently, advance resolutely, and adjust flexibly..

1. Efficient implementation
   Break down large goals into specific tasks, clearly defining responsibilities, timelines, and resource allocation. The "SMART principle" and "WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)" are commonly used tools in goal management.
2. Resolutely advance
   During execution, challenges such as insufficient resources, poor teamwork, or changes in the external environment are inevitable. At such times, it is essential to stay focused on the objective, eliminate distractions, and proceed with the feasible parts of the plan.
3. Flexible adjustment
   The real-world environment is constantly changing, requiring continuous monitoring of deviations from goals and timely adjustments to strategies. The "iteration-feedback-adjustment" cycle in Agile management is a typical approach.

3D model of the execution engine

Efficient implementation (goal breakdown + resource integration) ↓ Resolute advancement (anti-interference + continuous advancement) ↓ Flexible adjustment (monitoring + iterative optimization)

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Retrospective Analysis and Iteration: From Experience to System

After the problem is solved, a review and summary is a crucial step in solidifying experience and improving capabilities. An effective review should follow a four-step process:

1. Target-Outcome Comparison
   Objectively compare the differences between the expected goals and the actual results.
2. Success and failure analysis
   Identify the key factors for success and the reasons for failure, and avoid attribution bias (such as attributing success to oneself and failure to others).
3. Optimization Hypothesis
   Consider which aspects could be improved if we could do it all over again.
4. Experience transfer
   Extract general principles and apply them to other scenarios.

▍ Common pitfalls in post-mortem analysis and how to deal with them

• Self-interest biasAttributing success to oneself and failure to external factors.
• countermeasures: A structured debriefing template is used to force objective analysis.
• Surface SummaryThis only reviews the events without extracting any methods.
• countermeasuresIntroduce the "Four-Step Review Method" and document it.

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The historical evolution and milestones of problem-solving ability

Problem-solving methodologies continue to evolve along with the development of human cognition and tools. The following timeline illustrates key milestones (see Table 2).

Table 2: Milestones in the Development of Problem-Solving Methodologies

Time period	Key figures/schools	contribute	Tools/Methods
1950s-1960s	Toyota Motor	The 5 Whys analysis method	Root cause analysis
1970s-1980s	Quality Management Movement	PDCA cycle	Plan-Execute-Check-Act
1990s	Daniel Goldman	Theory of Emotional Intelligence	Amygdala hijacking explanation
2000s	Agile Development Team	Iterative thinking and adaptive execution	Scrum/Kanban
2010s-Present	Data-driven decision making	Big Data Analytics and AI-Assisted	A/B testing, predictive models

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There are no unsolvable problems, only solutions yet to be found.

Problem-solving ability is one of the most valuable core competencies of this century. It integrates emotional management, logical thinking, execution, and learning abilities, forming a dynamically evolving system. By mastering...Calm system, essential insight, execution engine, retrospective iterationBy focusing on four key aspects and leveraging historical experience and modern tools, we can gradually cultivate this ability to confidently face various challenges in life and career.

As management guru Peter Drucker said, "The most dangerous thing is not to give the wrong answer, but to ask the wrong question." True masters do not win by giving the right answer, but by asking the right question.

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