MIND SET: PROBLEM ORIENTED OR SOLUTION ORIENTED

By Danny S. Villanueva
(A copy for the Ihip Newsletter)

Can you remember the time when you worry about a problem time and again? You were terribly disturbed by the blow the problem has brought to your life. And you were not able to focus clearly on what action to take, musing: “Pambihira naman, nangyari pa sa akin ito! Paano na? Sakit ng ulo ito! Sana panaginip na lang ito. Hay, Diyos ko tulungan mo ako!”

Take for instance, Sabrie and I had experience with repeated problems with our Vanette family van. The alternator conked out at night travelling from Manila to Tarlac about three times in different occasions, engine over heated going to Baguio, and many more problems. We could sit there and mumble things like, "Why does this always happen to the Vanette when we are on long trips?" "When am I going to be able to replace this old piece of junk? It's so undependable!" For awhile, such experience made Sabrie avoid driving the family van even for short trips around Tarlac.

As a normal recourse, every time the trouble happened, we employed a little of solution-oriented thinking. “What can we do to fix the van problem more reliably and economically?” This resulted to a lot of corrective and preventive solutions such as replacement of the defective gasoline engine by a second-hand diesel engine and save on fuel, too; change all rubber hoses; overhauled the alternator and starter assemblies, and many more. You see that the question was centered on solutions that led us to creative or positive thinking to help solve the condition of our old family van. Sabrie and I never went to finding fault, like“Bakit pa kasi nabili natin ito?” We both readily agreed to come up with solutions to the immediate difficulty. While we opted to sell the 14-year old family van if there will be any takers, we will still have to deal with its regular wear and tear problems, but we will continue to be more clear-thinking to make appropriate solutions.

Generally, people use either a solution-oriented (growth) mindset or a problem-oriented (fixed) mindset. Those with a fixed mindset see their talents and abilities cannot be further improved. They believe that they are born with certain amount of talent and do not want to test their abilities due to the chance of failure. Persons with a fixed mindset would always guard themselves against situations in which they feel they need to prove their personal worth. Challenges are frequently viewed negatively, instead of opportunity for personal growth.

On the other hand, people that practice growth mindset believe intelligence, talents, and abilities can be developed over time. They believe abilities can be improved through hard work and persistence. When presented with a problem, those practicing growth mindset will likely rise to the challenge. People of the growth mindset do not fear failure, and instead, they view it as a chance to improve themselves.

Once you are confronted with a problem, be sure not to fall into the trap of thinking and brooding about the problem. Instead, ask yourself, "What is the solution?" Focus your thinking on the solution instead of the problem. This can be hard from the start, but like most things, it gets easier and easier with practice. Others called this technique "solution-oriented thinking." You do not have to be an engineer to understand that focusing on the solution is a much more positive activity than worrying on the problem. You know, turning our attention to potential solutions is more fun and gratifying than falling into the pit of pity that always goes with brooding on the problem. Even if a solution is not readily available, just the act of searching for one is an activity that will always get your mind away from the problem itself.

This solution-oriented mindset is also valuable to a group or community setting where multiple people are confronted with a problem that they must together tackle. However, the group can also get slowed down with worrying on the problem by themselves that can be contagious in a group. We should know the difference between worry on the problem and concern for solution, such as: worry distracts us, solution focuses us; worry disables planning; making solutions helps us plan; worry blurs our vision, solution clarifies our purpose; worry tends to give up, looking for solutions perseveres; worry exaggerates, solutions pinpoints the root cause of the problem; and worry focuses on self, developing solutions cares for others. So, why worry?
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