Part 11 Problem Solving Usa

Part 11.
Problem Solving.
A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 123

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Problem Solving.
Is there a problem that you’ve been finding it

difficult to solve? If so, describe the problem and
the things you’ve done to try to solve it…

Albert’s Top Problem Solving Tips.
If you’ve been struggling with a

problem that you’ve been finding
it difficult to solve then its
possible that by learning my Top
Problem Solving Tips you might
be able to approach problems in
a new way that brings positive
results.
‘I have divided my method up into two parts that should be followed

for successful problem solving. These are:
1. General Guidelines, and

2. Specific Steps.’
General Guidelines.
• Get someone to help you with the problem.
• Arrange a definite time and place to discuss the problem and its
solution with people who can help you.
• Make sure there are no distractions like the TV.
• Discuss one problem at a time.
• If you’re dealing with a big problem divide it up into smaller parts
and deal with these one at a time.
• Define the problem clearly and positively, avoid vague definitions.
• Keep your problem definitions brief.
• Keep your discussions positive by concentrating on how the problem
can be solved rather than getting sidetracked about who is to
blame.
• Remember that its usually the problem and not people that make
life difficult.
• Acknowledge your share of responsibility for the problem.
• Try to brainstorm as many possible solutions as you can, don’t
worry if some seem strange or unusual at first.
• Wait until you’ve thought of as many solutions as possible before
you explore whether or not they might work.
• Celebrate success when you effectively solve all or part of the
problem.

Albert’s Top Problem Solving Tips.
Specific Steps.
1. Define the problem briefly and positively.

Avoid negative, long, or vague definitions of the problem. Here’s an
example of a negative definition of a problem…
‘I would like to fight less with my brother.’
This is a negative definition because it tells you what you should not
do (fight) but it doesn’t tell you what you should do! Defining the
same problem in a positive way is easy. All you have to do is state
what you will be doing more of when the problem is solved. Here’s an
example of the same problem defined in a positive way.
‘I would like to get on better with my brother.’
When we define problems in a positive way it usually helps us

generate more positive solutions.
2. Brainstorm for as many potential solutions as possible.

This simply means thinking up as many possible solutions as you can.
Don’t be afraid to be creative and think of solutions that seem
strange or unusual at first. Unusual ideas often lead to novel ways
of solving problems. Many people find it helpful to write out their
possible solution list on a sheet of paper to help them remember all
of their ideas.
3. Explore the pros and cons of your solution list.

When you have brainstormed all of the possible solutions review each
suggestion and weigh-up its advantages and disadvantages.

4. Agree a plan of action with the people who are helping you.
Once you have thought about the advantages and disadvantages of
each suggestion pick the best solution(s) that you have found and
agree a clear plan of how you will put them into practice.
5. Implement your plan.

There is no point in having a plan if you don’t put it into practice!!!
6. Review your progress.

Difficult problems take time and often a number of attempts may be
needed before we can solve them. This is why its important to
review the progress you are making as you put your planned solutions
into practice. You should do this with the people that have helped
you generate your solution list.
7. Revise your original plan.

If your plan has not solved the problem on the first attempt don’t be
discouraged and give up. Instead revise your plan and brainstorm
modifications that you can make for another attempt. Don’t give
yourself a hard time for things that don’t work out perfectly.
8. Celebrate your success.

If you have completely solved your problem or only partially solved it
remember to celebrate the positive advances that you have made.
9. Maintain the positive changes that you have made.

Be sure not to slip back into old ways that led to the problem in the
first place. Instead stay alert and keep putting successful solutions
into practice.’
Here’s how a vampire friend of mine set

about using my problem solving method to
solve the difficulty of his lack of
popularity with his fellow townspeople
when he wanted to run for Mayor of his
hometown of Vlackan Blackan Mackan
Staad which is in Transylvania.

Count Duffy For Vampire Mayor.
Count Duffy is a Vampire and has lived (well kind of) in Vlackan
Blackan Mackan Staad, in Transylvania for 327 years. He’s been
there so long that he has grown extremely fond of the place. So
much so in fact that he would like to become the first Vampire Mayor
of his home town.
Sadly because he is a Vampire he is extremely unpopular with the

local townspeople and at the last Mayoral Election he only got two
votes. He knows that one of these was from himself and the other
was from Igor his faithful servant.
Count Duffy recognized that he could

not solve the problem of his unpopularity
on his own and asked Igor to help him to
begin to put Albert’s Top Problem Solving
Tips into practice.
First of all they read through the general and specific guidelines.
They set aside some time and then positively defined Count Duffy’s
problem as:
‘I would like to make myself more popular with the townspeople of

Vlackan Blackan Mackan Staad in the hope that more of them will
vote for me at the next Mayoral Election.’
They then brainstormed the following potential solutions list. See

what you think of the pros and cons of each of their suggestions…

Negative things that I will do less of…
• Spend less time with bats and other creatures of the night.
• Stop biting people on the neck.
• Not stay in bed all day.
• Stop setting my pet locusts on the crops of the local garlic
farmers.
• Stop loosening the hounds on unsuspecting callers to my castle.
• Drop my sinister laugh.
• Stop having people around for dinner.
• Stop thinking that I’m better than everyone just because I
am immortal.
Positive things that I will do more of…

• Go out more during the day time.
• Spend more money on schools and hospitals.
• Get to know the local townspeople other than Igor.
• Support the local carpenters, especially the steak makers.
• Do some charity work.
• Appear on local TV.
• Free slaves from my castle dungeons.
• Make friends with the local Vampire Hunters.
Count Duffy and Igor evaluated the pros

and cons of each of their suggestions and
made a clear plan of action that they
reviewed at regular intervals.
At first many people didn’t respond

very well to the apparent changes in
Count Duffy but gradually they are
coming around. The Count is hopeful that
he will get more than two votes at the next
election…

Problem Solving.
Think back on the problem that you described earlier and use these
two pages to apply Albert’s Top Problem Solving Tips for yourself.
The people who are going to help me are…
We have agreed to have our problem solving meeting on…
We have reviewed Albert’s General and Specific Problem Solving

Guidelines and our positive definition of the problem is….
Our brainstorming for solutions has generated the following list…

Pros and Cons of these solutions are…
The solutions we have chosen to put into practice are…
Our plan of action is…
We will review our progress on…
Modifications to our plan are…
Successes for us to celebrate are…

Problem Solving.
From completing this part of my guidebook I think

these are the most important things for me about
problem solving…
Vote No. 1
Duffy the Vampire for Mayor.
1.
2.
3.


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What are Albert's Top Problem Solving Tips?

What are Albert's Top Problem Solving Tips?

How did Count Duffy and Igor apply the problem solving tips?

How did Count Duffy and Igor apply the problem solving tips?

Part 11.

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 123

Is there a problem that you’ve been finding it

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 124

If you’ve been struggling with a

‘I have divided my method up into two parts that should be followed

1. General Guidelines, and

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 125

1. Define the problem briefly and positively.

‘I would like to fight less with my brother.’

‘I would like to get on better with my brother.’

When we define problems in a positive way it usually helps us

2. Brainstorm for as many potential solutions as possible.

3. Explore the pros and cons of your solution list.

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 126

5. Implement your plan.

6. Review your progress.

7. Revise your original plan.

8. Celebrate your success.

9. Maintain the positive changes that you have made.

Here’s how a vampire friend of mine set

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 127

Sadly because he is a Vampire he is extremely unpopular with the

Count Duffy recognized that he could

‘I would like to make myself more popular with the townspeople of

They then brainstormed the following potential solutions list. See

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 128

Positive things that I will do more of…

Count Duffy and Igor evaluated the pros

At first many people didn’t respond

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 129

The people who are going to help me are…

We have agreed to have our problem solving meeting on…

We have reviewed Albert’s General and Specific Problem Solving

Our brainstorming for solutions has generated the following list…

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 130

The solutions we have chosen to put into practice are…

Our plan of action is…

We will review our progress on…

Modifications to our plan are…

Successes for us to celebrate are…

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 131

From completing this part of my guidebook I think

A CBT Workbook for Children and Adolescents by Gary O’ Reilly 132

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