The way an individual should problem-solve and make a decision
Now it is time to know the correct way to make a decision (also called problem-solving).
Every decision we make (or problem-solving we do) and implement in the real world that doesn't involve an immediate life and death situation (e.g., you are having a Mexican standoff between a predator and yourself, and even then, you have the solution of backing off and slowly moving away to show you are not a threat to the predator, which works in most situations) must always consider the emotions (and views) of as many people as is practically possible. Failure to do this first step will only make the problem worse or more intractable to solve, which is why people often end up in life and death situations such as war (or why something doesn't sell in the marketplace, or people remain unhappy no matter what we try to do to help, or so we think). It is important for you to acknowledge the emotions of those involved in the problem first.
The next step is to identify the problem. This means you must gather as much information about the problem as you can from those involved in the problem.
Let us give an example. If someone says, "I hate this computer", write this down as your first step of acknowledging the problem through the existence of this person's emotion and perceived problem. It also shows to the other person that you are listening. You are writing down what they feel. You know they are struggling with something. To help with this task, create a table with two columns. One side is called Positive, and the other side is called Negative. Now write down what are the positive and negative things about the things people are seeing and/or were using that led to the creation of the problem. By doing this, not only will you gather the observations, you will also acknowledge the emotions at the same time.
The next part is asking people why this is not working as they expect or think it should? What were they expecting to see when they use something? The "why" part is actually the process of gathering information to help you understand the problem. This is your chance to gather lots of interesting observations. It means people might say, "This damn thing is too complicated." You carefully prod further, perhaps by watching an example of what the person was trying to do with the computer, and then you realise the everyday, real-life tasks people are trying to achieve with the computer is not quite as simple as you thought, or is not quick to achieve. Now is your chance to write it down exactly what the problem is in detail.
Next, we must search for possible solutions, even original ones if it helps to permanently solve the problem. We should already have a lot of information from the previous step of asking "Why". Now is the time we can be a little more creative when finding a solution. When going through this process, this is the moment we should suspend all our emotions and feelings (we have already taken care of that in the first stage, and later we can bring back the emotions when deciding on the right solution). Sure, we can be more objective and rational in finding the solutions. However, it is highly recommended that we become more creative at this stage in finding all solutions, even different solutions that other people haven't thought of. Don't always rely on existing solutions (just because it is cheapest or familiar). Maybe as a temporary solution it might be okay. However, for bigger problems affecting more people, such as world problems, it is better, and often necessary, to be original and different. Because original solutions are more likely to provide the necessary permanent long-term solutions, and for more people to be happier to implement and use.
Generally, the bigger the problem you are trying to solve, especially if it affects lots of people, the more creative you are going to have to become when finding the right solution.
If you have done enough problem-solving in your life, you should have developed a powerful imagination to solve many more problems. In the end, you become a more effective problem solver. Eventually, you get to a point that you can come up with solutions, even occasionally some original and unexpected solutions, with relative ease. Even solutions that no one else has considered before, and this could provide the much needed long-term solutions people are looking for in completing eliminating a problem.
So, you start looking for a solution. In the case of the person who hated computers, one of those solutions might involve the use of a mouse to move a cursor around on a screen to click on ready made menu commands that allows them to perform basic tasks on a computer. Compare this to getting the person to type a bunch of meaningless text symbols on a command line just to achieve the same task. Yes, it is complicated for most people. Alright, so can you visualise the alternative solutions and the type of emotions that would come when being in other people's shows experiencing this new solution? Which is better?
Does this sound familiar? It should. Back in the old days it used to be called MS-DOS. However, when we apply our creativity correctly and visualise the problem, we may suddenly discover another process called "using a mouse", and how pointing to a command and clicking on it through the mouse can make an enormous difference to people's lives. It can make the difference between whether some people hate a computer and perhaps even actually liking a computer (but don't expect them to love it as that is a personal choice and how they wish to use the computer) knowing they can achieve certain things easily, painlessly, and at a level of quality that they feel proud of and knowing it is heading towards their own goals.
Now that is original!
However, do not stop at one solution. Search for as many as you can think of. Unless the one solution is so good that you know it will solve everything, it is best to uncover as many different and possible solutions to the same problem. In that way, you are not biasing yourself to one solution because of a hidden agenda. You are prepared to consider all possibilities to a problem because you want others to have the best solution available today.
The third step is selecting a range of existing and/or creative solutions obtained from the imaginative phase that will have a strong practical element to their implementation; or with a little effort (and perhaps cost) on our part, can be made practical and achievable. But do not let costs or something that looks easier to implement be the deciding factor on selecting a particular solution. The bigger the problem and the more people that are affected, sometimes you must be prepared to pay a little extra and put extra effort into making another solution work if you can see how permanent and effective the solution will be when solving the original problem. Basically, if you can see how many problems can be solved by a particular solution by doing the job properly, maybe choosing the more expensive solution is better despite the extra effort and extra cost needed to implement it.
The fourth step is to bring back our emotions once again when choosing the right solution (ie., the one you recommend as the best solution for others to use). Sometimes there might be several different solutions, and all are practical and effective in solving the original problem. All could be implemented, but usually it is best to choose the one that solves the current and potentially any future problems you may not have anticipated. This could be the cheapest, but sometimes it may not be the best long-term solution. You may discover that sometimes the best long-term solutions are likely to be more expensive and take extra effort. If you still cannot decide on multiple solutions which one is best, look at the emotions again. We do this by asking ourselves, "Will people actually be happy using the solution because it is easier together with other benefits they may receive if we implement it in the real world?" If we are still not sure, ask the people who will use the solution to see if it will be positive and useful. Give a demonstration. Let people try it out. Or let people decide how certain solutions can be made more positive and/or useful. Listen to further ideas. Because at the end of the day, solutions that don't inspire us and help to use our emotions in a positive sense will quickly get forgotten and people will go back to old ways of doing things, sticking to their old beliefs, and ignoring all your efforts in solving the problem.
The fifth and final step is to get feedback and make improvements once the final solution is implemented and people are using it. Usually a solution is never perfect. However, if your gathering of information and careful development of a solution is done comprehensively and right, and with all emotions considered, there should be little if any improvements needed.
Once you have reached this point, you have properly solved a problem!
Problem-solving in a nutshell
In summary, problem solving is a balance between L- (rational) and R-brain (creative and visual) skills, with emotions and an indepth and broad understanding of the problem (stored in memory) at the pinnacle of the process.
The importance of emotions
For further details about the importance of emotions, see this page.
The importance of balanced L- and R-brain skills
Emotions are one thing. To actually find solutions, both existing and original, it will require a balance of L-brain and R-brain skills to shuttle information gathered about a problem. In that way, you can simplify the information to its very essence, and eventually recognise new or existing solutions that could help to solve the original problem.
The application of more L-brain skills often sees people find any existing quick fix and/or familiar solution from memory or observed in the real world that works for them (we call them the tradies who are practical and good at finding a quick fix), but can have the drawback of not willing or unable to balance their old beliefs or existing knowledge with something potentially much better. The result is that L-brain people are less likely to be open-minded to new possibilities and, therefore, may not find the more enduring, all-encompassing, balanced and potentially creative and original solution that helps everyone (and not just for a few people) and so properly solve a problem. And sometimes economics play a heavy part in the way these people think because certain existing solutions may seem cheaper and easier to implement. When it comes to world problems, a little more R-brain skills is needed.
However, more R-brain skills can see creative people come up with a variety of amazing and original solutions, most of which are not very practical or extremely difficult to implement. Some of the solutions might provide the answer, but without a strong rational side, it will be hard for others to see the realism and potential for a permanent long-term solution. The one thing that R-brain people are good at is seeing the hidden interrelationships between things that L-brain people cannot see, and thus could be crucial in developing a new pattern, and with it, a new and more effective solution.
To effectively solve problems and make the right decisions, you need to apply a careful balance of L-brain and R-brain skills (as well as your emotions). Or else you need other people with the right and well-developed opposing problem-solving skills to bring to the table.
But for any solution to truly last a long time and be memorable and easy to implement, you must also apply your emotions in order to increase the chances that your solution will be seen as beneficial and worthy of putting into practice for all times.
Your emotions together with the L- and R-brain skills is what completes the problem-solving task and gives you the permanent solutions you are looking for.
Need a religious text to support this approach to problem-solving?
With 95 per cent of the human population following a religion with the potential for these people creating 95 per cent of the world problems, it is probably worth showing examples from religious scriptures to support this problem-solving approach. For the more religious types needing the comforting words from a religious text, consider the following wise words from a leader who seem to have known better than most about the concept of love and applying problem-solving in his time:
Concept 1
You are gods.
Bible text: Psalm 82:6
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
Meaning
Notice the distinction between God and god, or God and God's Son (or son). Jesus never stated he was God. All he was trying to say was, "You have the power to influence and change things. You have the power to make this world a better place to live."
In other words, you can solve problems on your own. You don't have to follow authority all the time. If you know what's right in your heart and authority doesn't, probably because you are at the front line to understanding the problem and can see the solution better than most leaders, become your own leader and person to implement the solution. The solution is obvious to you, so why wait? Go ahead and do it. You know where the balance to a situation should lie by providing what is needed. You just go ahead and implement it in the real world. At the same time, there is another message here: remember, you are not God. You can still make mistakes. That is why you are here to listen, understand and learn. We must always improve in order to get closer to understanding what it means to be God through your knowledge and experience and, therefore, increase your power to influence and change the world through better solutions. So, if you implement a solution and it causes some harm, listen and learn, and then seek improvements to make it better.
Concept 2
Understand and apply to the best of your knowledge, skills, and emotions the essential and number one law of the Universe for all living things, which is "the principle of love".
Bible text:
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the GREAT COMMANDMENT in the law? Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the FIRST and GREAT commandment.' (Matthew.22:34-38).
Meaning
This is just another way of saying you must use your emotions. Before you can ever influence the world, you must first know there is a thing called positive emotions. The overarching term covering these positive emotions is called love. Thus the first step in this process is to understand how to love. One way to develop this understanding is to imagine the love of God and what it means to be loved by God. How would the ultimate and supreme being we call God bring love into the world? Someone who is perfect in all the knowledge of love should give you some ideas of the kind of love you may want to see become a reality when solving a problem. What sort of solutions would God implement into the world from this position of perfect love? Before you can ever influence things in the world, especially with living things, you have to know how to love. It means you must gather information first to see the problems and acknowledge they exist and how this affects the emotions of the people going through those problems. Once you have this information, you must use your mind to visualise the information gathered. It is at this point that you begin to have an understanding of the emotions of those who have been affected by the problems known as empathy. Then, you become creative as you find solutions. Once you see the solution, you have to use your mind again to see how your solution(s) will likely affect those who you wish to help (i.e., solve the problem). We call this thinking about the consequences of our actions prior to implementing the solution. It is better not to interfere, but sometimes we must. So we think carefully about our actions before we implement them. By thinking and feeling the situation and of other people and seeing the consequences of our actions when solving the problem, you develop a stronger frontal cortex. This is how you focus better and see things clearer. Before you know it, solutions will emerge. Soon you will get into a position of having to know God better in a way that teaches you how to love better, and with it you can start to choose the best solution for those affected by the problems.
Concept 3
Do not have an agenda or bias in the way you search for and implement solutions. There is to be no discrimination as you search and implement the best solution for everyone.
Bible text:
'This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.' (John 15:12).
'And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.' (1 John 4:21)
Meaning
There are two parts to the process of how to love. The first part is knowing the love of God and how the ultimate and supreme being with perfect love is likely to solve problems. Firstly, God loves everyone without discrimination. There are no exceptions. To find discrimination in anything is to show the thinking of the people who created the discrimination. God does not have to think, it knows. And God has chosen not to discriminate. To discriminate is a man-made thing that has nothing to do with God. Everyone is treated equally and with the same deserving love as anyone else. And secondly, it requires you to apply your creativity and visualisation skills to imagine what this love might be. This second part is about implementing the best solution derived from our understanding of love as well as looking at the situation we are trying to solve. It requires you to use your creativity to find all possible solutions, your emotions to choose the best solution, and your rational skills to figure out how to implement the solution you see for love into the real world.
Concept 4
Apply the solution and your love without favouritism.
Bible text:
"For [the true] God does not show favouritism." (Romans 2:11)
Meaning
This is similar to concept 3. When you have found a solution, implement the solution. But when you do, remember to do it for everyone. Not just your friends and family (or even a particular religious denomination or group). The true God of love never discriminates. You action must include those you might describe as your enemy, as well as anyone who is unaware of, or does not believe in, the existence of God, and who may not subscribe to a particular religion (for example, the word infidels might get floated about a lot by Muslims when naming a non-muslim, or atheists by Christians and Jews). In the end you don't have a choice if you want to be on the side of God and for the problem to be permanently solved. Acknowledge the diversity in views of the people, but focus on the permanent solution leading to great peace, stability and love. This is the true indiscriminate love you bring into the world for everyone through the solution you implement. Once everyone sees your solution as the best and meets their emotions, there is no need to discriminate. The solution is for everyone. God Himself does not discriminate, so why should you? Always treat people the same as you would to God if He suddenly came down to Earth right now and stood in front of you. He will do the same with you as you would to others.
Practice your problem-solving skills
Apart from those quotes, there are the stories in which the social leader provided to the people to practice their L- and R-brain skills ("you are gods") and emotions ("love one another"), which are all brought together in the frontal cortex during problem-solving.
Must I be religious to properly solve problems?
No. It is not necessary for you to read the Bible, the Koran, or some other religious text to fully understand the principle of love in the deepest sense, and to problem-solve. But those texts may help in times when you are not sure how to love. There is no need for you to know all the stories in the Bible in all their intimate details, or even all the verses in the Koran or some other text, to help you understand the fundamental principle of love you must learn. Forget the story of King Solomon, the good Samaritan, and everything else. You only need these stories to help teach you the principle. But once you know the principle, you can forget the stories. The principle is all you need to remember, and you will know what to do. Later you can create your own stories to teach others the principle of love in a modern context — your new Bible for the modern age.
The same should be true for all religious texts. The interpretation for the texts must always follow the principle of love at every step. Should there be any doubts about this, you will know you have not interpreted the text correctly.
Insights into world solutions
If you are ready to become more balanced in your thinking and to seek new solutions to problems, then the general solutions to world problems of a practical and creative nature will start to emerge along certain lines. Let us look at a few problems associated with the individual and the environment and the types of solutions we need to be looking at. Later we will examine some insights into grander problems associated with this Universe.