Problems arise all the time as a parent, teacher, friend, relative, or neighbor. Problems are a part of life.
I was thinking a lot about problems tonight, and how to face problems big and small.
First it's important to analyze the problem. What's happening and what is problematic?
It is similarly important to see the problem from the vantage point of the logistics--how many, who, when, where, and how. Get a full picture of the problem, and use that full picture to analyze and decide on next steps.
It's also typically a lot easier to solve problems with others than go it alone, and as you work together to solve the problem you have to sort what's most critical from what is not as important.
Finally, you have to see the promise in the problem. Rather than laying blame or turning a blind eye to the details, you have to face the problem with an open mind, an attitude that problems always happen, and the ability to work with others to see the promise in that problem.
Not long ago my son called me with a problem. He was upset. From my faraway view I could easily see the promise in his problem. What had happened was not dire, but did spell some change for the future so a worst case scenario of the problem did not occur. We talked it over and together noted how not to face this problem again. It was good learning for both of us.
In schools we face problems daily--we have to work to see the promise in the problem, and how we can use that problem to do better.
There will always be problems and if we can find the promise in those problems we will become more resilient and better at what we do. Onward.
