Take a minute to read through this example of Amy using the problem solving solutions.

 

Amy: Is currently feeling overwhelmed and stressed by everything in life.

 

Stage 1: Breaking down problems or stressful tasks into more manageable parts.

 

• She is studying full-time at university,
• She has a part-time job.
• She is also a drummer in a rising band playing nationally.
• She has lots of uni work she needs to catch up on
• Her estranged dad has recently been in touch after 10 years.
• She has been falling out with housemates.

 

 

We can see Amy has a lot going on so let’s help her break things down:

 

Stage 2: Write down / mind-map to understand and work out solutions. Get the problem out of your head and down on paper!

 

Amy uses a mind map. This helps her visualise things clearer on paper.

 

 

Stage 3: Pros and cons of solutions. Are these achievable and will they lead to success?

 

Amy writes the pros and cons around some of these starting with catching up on uni work, speaking to her dad and repairing relationships with her housemates

 

Stage 4: What do you need to achieve this? How long will it take? Do you need help?

 

Amy decides that she will set her alarm 2 hours earlier for the next couple of weeks to catch up on work and reduce stress

 

She meets up with her dad and politely lets him know that she has lots going on and needs a little more time to rekindle their relationship alongside everything.

 

Amy is going to start keeping a weekly diary to allocate her time more effectively in order to accommodate some house chores to improve housemate relationships.

 

Stage 5: Review how it went. Were there difficulties? Was it successful?

 

Two weeks on…

 

Amy has found her problems are more manageable by using her time better, keeping a diary and having better dialogue with her housemates

 

She decides to work through some of her other problems although realises that the band is enjoyable and she is enjoying the success now her time is better managed.

 

Amy see’s the bigger picture of completing her degree and the fact she needs to earn a little money to help her through her studies.

 

Amy is pleased with implementing positive changes and breaking down problems.