Your Personal Program to Learn About Problem Solving

In the future, as the science of problem solving is developed more extensively, I anticipate that there will be a series of coordinated books and computer software on problem solving. Since there is no coordination at present, you will have to hunt and seek to fill your needs. The present body of knowledge about problem solving is enormous. You will have to acquire experience and knowledge about it your whole life. To the day you die, problem solving and decision making will be two of your major important activities. Doesn’t it make sense, then, to have a personal program to constantly improve your problem-solving skills?

Learn More About Problem Solving

1. Learn the present status of problem solving. The information on this site covers this area briefly. Learn more about it by reading my book End the Biggest Educational and Intellectual Blunder in History. The book contains a copy of my pamphlet The Scientific Method Today. You can obtain a copy by going to the ordering page on this site or www.amazon.com. It can be viewed at www.books.google.com.
   
2. Read my pamphlet The Scientific Method Today and use it as a reference. It can be viewed at www.scientificmethod.com and ordered at the ordering page on this site.
   
3. Download a copy of my form “Guide and Worksheet for Applying the Complete Method of Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making (SM-14)”; from this site. Make as many copies as you want to for your personal use. Start to use it immediately for all important complex problems or decisions you work on. Use the problem-solving skills you already have. Refer to my booklet for hints and guidance.
   
4. Start a file on problem solving and decision making. Make a folder for each stage of SM-14 and folders for other subjects that interest you.
   
5. Consider a problem solving notebook. Include in it a copy of my booklet The Complete Method of Creative Problem Solving. You can consult it every time you begin work on a complex problem.
   
6. Review the Internet for subject matter that pertains to your problem.
   
7. Build your library of reference books and textbooks. Visit new and used bookstores.
   
8. Take any educational courses that might help.
   
9. Build a circle of friends and associates with whom to consult and discuss problem solving.
   
10. Use your library. The Internet is not enough.
    

Problem Solving Applied to Your Personal Life

Prepare a Self-Development Program

Live your life fully. In Brain Power – Learn to Improve Your Thinking Skills (1980), Karl Albrecht says:

“The typical human life seems to be quite unplanned, undirected, unlived, and unsavored. Only those who consciously think about the adventure of living as a matter of making choices among options, which they have found for themselves, ever establish real self-control and live their lives fully.”

You must motivate yourself to improve and develop – student or adult. Here is a frightening (but challenging) economic forecast! Because of world competition, you will have to work smarter and become more innovative and creative than your parents were in order to be equal to or exceed their economic status. You must motivate yourself to improve and develop – student or adult. Here are some suggestions.

1. Allocate your time wisely. Lead a balanced life using all recourses. Don’t devote excessive time to watching TV, “hanging out,” idly listening to music, spectator sports, competitive sports activities, sleeping. Respect your parents and teachers. Maintain good communication with them. Look to your parents for religious guidance. Utilize your school counselor. Remember, self-improvement is your responsibility.
   
2. Have an educational and personal learning program. Be sure that you have a good base of reading, writing, speech, and math.
   
3. Build your intuitive base and learn how to learn. These are essential in this age of fast change and knowledge explosion.
   
4. Develop you thinking skills and other intelligences. Learn methods and processes. Study and practice SM-14. Join others in problem projects.
   
5. Learn to be a better innovator and to become more creative. Innovation and creativity pay off! Take courses, practice curious observation, keep an idea book, apply ideas at home, develop courage.
   
6. Keep up with how to retrieve information – learn systems and technologies. Knowledge sources and the technology of retrieving information are developing faster and are less expensive, more prolific, and universally available. Become computer friendly at school, home, etc. Expand your computer knowledge. In schools, offices, retail stores, warehouses, factories, farms, and restaurants – in fact, almost everywhere – you will be exposed to the use of a computer and new systems. Learn how to type!
   
7. Improve and develop desirable attributes. Develop your overall personality. Think about these attributes often. Do things that will help you. Join an organization; read self-improvement books; learn to be a good team member; practice tolerance of others; take part in school, company, religious, and civic activities; get part-time jobs for experience; read, skip read, and skim periodicals; engage in helpful hobbies; enter science and engineering fairs; learn to work quickly and effectively – improve your personal efficiency.
   
8. Career. Prepare a career plan or a career investigation plan.
   
9. Personal health program. Say no to drugs, maintain emotional stability, don’t abuse your body or take unnecessary risks, develop proper eating and exercise habits, have regular physical exam.
   
10. Set goals and keep updating your self-development program.