Solving problems is a core part of Arthritis Ireland’s Living Well with Arthritis programme. Here, we outline how to list solutions to problems and work through them Solving problems is a tool, a great skill to acquire and an empowering process to master. As a tool, it helps you to solve an immediate problem. As a skill, it’s like riding a bicycle – once learned, you can use it again and again. And as a process, it involves mastering a number of steps. So, when you come up against a obstacle – such as how to do the shopping or make the dinner - you can engage in the problem-solving process to help you achieve your goal. problem may not be solvable now.
As a first step, identify and name the problem you’re tackling so that you can find a solution that works for you.
Steps towards solving problems:
1. Identify the problem
2. List ideas to solve the problem
3. Select one method to try
4. Assess the results
5. Substitute another idea
6. Use other resources
7. Accept that the
This is the most difficult and most important step. Then think about and list all the possible ways of tackling the problem. From your list of possible solutions, sort out which are the most relevant to your situation and which are realistic or manageable. If the problem is solved – great! If not …
Try another idea from the list. Have a look at the results, fine-tuning what went wrong. Work your way down the list of solutions until you’ve used all the ideas on your list, assessing all the while why a particular solution didn’t work. Were you trying to achieve too much? Were you too tired that day for the solution to work?
You may need to use other resources to help make another list. Ask friends, family, professionals for ideas if your solutions didn't work, then go back to the Problem-Solving Steps, and continue until you’ve used all the items on your new list. If your problem is still unsolved, then…You can revisit it at another time.
You can problem solve anytime you have an issue to tackle or a goal to achieve. Follow the problem-solving steps by yourself, with a friend, or in a group. Working with others is great because you have access to a wide variety of viewpoints and potential solutions. Once you have learned the steps and begun to implement the process, problem-solving will be a new skill, which ou can use at any stage to get the most out of your life.
Originally published in Arthritis Life, April 2009. To subscribe to Arthritis Life, click here: http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=77
Showing posts with label arthritis support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arthritis support. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
JIM by Lilian Webb
No Jim is not a new man in my life – though JIM has been a new found ‘friend’ since March…well, maybe not so much a friend, as a companion – a challenging one!
You see, as a member of Arthritis Ireland, I was invited to get my Joints In Motion –JIM! On the understanding that exercise is vital for my arthritis, and I don’t do exercise very much – I saw JIM as my challenge! So, I committed myself and sent off my registeration fee of €10!
So, on the 15th March, I set off getting into the walking habit – with a twenty minute walk around the block. Gradually I extended it so that on the 29th april, I had achievd one hour 25 minutes. I drove the route in the car to prove it would equate to about 5kms!
Two days before the walk I attended the Kildare Branch Arthritis Ireland meeting and met six others who were also taking part in the walk. They had organised a bus – so I signed up for the transport! They also had been participating in a programme sponsored by the HSE and Kildare Sports Partnership for founr week – but I was unable to attend these. By all accounts, the programme was very valuable.
So, the day dawned! My very comfortable Eco shoes were donned and in my rucksack was my wet gear, camera, number, safety pin, map and €10 for the busfare.
The day could not have been kinder – dry – with a gentle breeze and some clouds. Our bus was the shuttle bus to Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre with Marilyn Monroe on the sides – I’m definitely not a follower of fashion – so I found the fact I was on a Style Icon Museum bus very amusing!
While others warmed up to exercises before the walk, I took photo’s and propped myself up beside a tree wanting to get started. When I saw there was a lady of almost 100 taking part (looking very glamorous in a wheelchair) and a small child (equally pretty on a pink Molly tricycle), that encouraged me no end as I was unsure if I’d make the 5 kms!
At noon, John Church blew the horn and I set off. After about five minutes, I was joined by Pauline Murphy, whom I had met two days previously. I took her photo at the finish line for 2.5kms but Pauline decided she would continue on – though only signed up for 2.5kms. The time had passed for her as we talked.
By this stage there was a long line of people stretched way ahead of us. We had not seen any of the orher 11 Kildare Branch walkers since the start!
As we approached the finish line, the music got louder. We got a cheer and ‘Well done’ from the Arthritis Ireland folk. One man took a photo of Pauline and myself – my stick up in the air between us at the finish line. Maybe I should call my walking stick – which I call my third leg, like the Isle of Man – which has to accompany me – JIM!
It was 1.17!!
I was delighted to receive my t-shirt with ‘Finisher’ emblazoned on! Since, I wore it to collect my sponsorship.
As well as arthritis in common, I found out that Pauline was also a member of a local writers’ group. So, both of us had subject matter for our next night to write!
You see, as a member of Arthritis Ireland, I was invited to get my Joints In Motion –JIM! On the understanding that exercise is vital for my arthritis, and I don’t do exercise very much – I saw JIM as my challenge! So, I committed myself and sent off my registeration fee of €10!
So, on the 15th March, I set off getting into the walking habit – with a twenty minute walk around the block. Gradually I extended it so that on the 29th april, I had achievd one hour 25 minutes. I drove the route in the car to prove it would equate to about 5kms!
Two days before the walk I attended the Kildare Branch Arthritis Ireland meeting and met six others who were also taking part in the walk. They had organised a bus – so I signed up for the transport! They also had been participating in a programme sponsored by the HSE and Kildare Sports Partnership for founr week – but I was unable to attend these. By all accounts, the programme was very valuable.
So, the day dawned! My very comfortable Eco shoes were donned and in my rucksack was my wet gear, camera, number, safety pin, map and €10 for the busfare.
The day could not have been kinder – dry – with a gentle breeze and some clouds. Our bus was the shuttle bus to Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre with Marilyn Monroe on the sides – I’m definitely not a follower of fashion – so I found the fact I was on a Style Icon Museum bus very amusing!
While others warmed up to exercises before the walk, I took photo’s and propped myself up beside a tree wanting to get started. When I saw there was a lady of almost 100 taking part (looking very glamorous in a wheelchair) and a small child (equally pretty on a pink Molly tricycle), that encouraged me no end as I was unsure if I’d make the 5 kms!
At noon, John Church blew the horn and I set off. After about five minutes, I was joined by Pauline Murphy, whom I had met two days previously. I took her photo at the finish line for 2.5kms but Pauline decided she would continue on – though only signed up for 2.5kms. The time had passed for her as we talked.
By this stage there was a long line of people stretched way ahead of us. We had not seen any of the orher 11 Kildare Branch walkers since the start!
As we approached the finish line, the music got louder. We got a cheer and ‘Well done’ from the Arthritis Ireland folk. One man took a photo of Pauline and myself – my stick up in the air between us at the finish line. Maybe I should call my walking stick – which I call my third leg, like the Isle of Man – which has to accompany me – JIM!
It was 1.17!!
I was delighted to receive my t-shirt with ‘Finisher’ emblazoned on! Since, I wore it to collect my sponsorship.
As well as arthritis in common, I found out that Pauline was also a member of a local writers’ group. So, both of us had subject matter for our next night to write!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
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