PROBLEM SOLVING

AND DECISION MAKING

Student Counselling Services

EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROBLEM-SOLV ING REFER S TO A PAR T ICUL AR SE T OF SK ILL S T HAT C AN BE USED TO DEFINE A PROBLEM,
GENER AT E POSSIBLE SOLU T IONS TO T HAT PROBLEM, AND HELP YOU TO ACHIE V E A POSI T IV E OU TCOME.

Effective problem-solving helps you to avoid and resolve stressors. For example, if someone who is doing poorly at school takes action to
improve academic performance, the stress of being on academic probation is adverted. Or, if someone who has received negative feedback
about his or her job performance is able to correct the problem and obtain a better job evaluation, the prospect of getting fired may be
avoided.

Steps to Problem-Solving
1. Define the problem. 4. Choose a possible solution.
The problem needs to be assessed and understood. Ask yourself Decide on a possible solution and determine the specific steps in
the following questions: which you need to engage in order to carry it out.
■■ In what area is the problem (e.g., school, work, relationships,
finances, etc.)? 5. Enact the potential solution.
■■ Who are the people involved in the problem? Do the things you decided to do to try to solve the problem.
■■ How did this problem come about?
■■ What would I like to change?
■■ What is realistic to expect in this situation?
6. Evaluate the outcome.
Decide if your actions were sufficient, or if you need to return to
2. Brainstorm solutions. considering other possible solutions. Ask yourself the following
Come up with as many possible solutions as possible. Be open- questions:
minded, creative and allow anything to be considered a possible ■■ How did I do?
solution. ■■ What worked?
■■ What didn’t work?
What else could I try?
3. Evaluate the options.
■■

Review each possible solution to determine if it is possible, and

potentially useful. Ask yourself the following questions about each Beiling, P. and Antony, M. (2003). Ending the Depression Cycle: A step-by-step guide for

option: preventing relapse. Oakland: New Harbinger.

■■ Is this feasible?
■■ What are the advantages of this option?
■■ What are the disadvantages of this option?

Effective problem-solving helps you avoid

and resolve stressors
Problem Solving Worksheet
C AREFULLY REFLEC T ON YOUR OWN E XPERIENCE A S YOU ANSWER T HE QUE S T IONS BELOW.

1. Define the problem:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Brainstorm solutions (Come up with as many possible solutions as possible):

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Evaluate the options:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Choose a possible solution:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Enact the potential solution:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Evaluate the outcome:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Effective Problem Solving and Making Good Decisions Student Counselling Services, University of Saskatchewan 2
Problem-Solving Tips
■■ If you have multiple stressors (e.g., increased responsibilities at ■■ When a problem arises, identify your needs and articulate them
work, upcoming exams), prioritize your time. Focus on the most to people who can help.
important issues first. ■■ Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings concerning the
■■ Time management is a positive way to reduce stress and anxiety. stressors in your life.
In addition, it will ensure you have the time you need to work on ■■ Develop a support network to rely on in times of need.
resolving problems (instead of simply meeting your basic needs
■■ Don’t dwell on “shoulds.” Instead, remain focused on what you
and important deadlines).
think you need to do to solve your problem.
■■ Break large demands into small, manageable parts. Work
■■ Be willing to take an honest look at your coping style and the
through one task at a time.
effectiveness of the strategies you are trying.
■■ Be clear about your goals and what you need to do to work
■■ Be flexible. If something isn’t working, it’s time to try something
toward them.
new.
■■ Take action when stress first arises. Don’t wait for the situation
■■ Remember to be kind to yourself.
to worsen.

Tips on Making Good Decisions

MAK ING GO OD DECISIONS HELPS TO AV ER T PROBLEMS, LE AV E S PEOPLE FEELING BE T T ER ABOU T T HEMSELV E S
AND SE TS T HE PAT H FOR MORE SAT ISF YING LIFE E XPERIENCE S.

At some time or other, we are all faced with complicated situations that leave us unsure of how to respond. Here are some tips to consider
next time you find yourself searching for a good decision.

■■ Avoid the temptation to make an impulsive decision in order ■■ Consider how each of your possible decisions might impact
to get out of the work of decision-making. While there is a the people involved. Will a particular decision harm you or
time and place for quick decisions, generally good decisions someone else?
have been given some thought.
■■ Pay attention to how you will you feel about yourself if you
■■ Take the time you need to think things over, but don’t use make one decision instead of another. Will you be proud of
this as an excuse to avoid. Not making a decision is, in and of yourself? Can you live with yourself?
itself, a decision.
■■ Ask yourself if your decision is ethical.
■■ Over-focusing on making the “right” decision can leave you
■■ Talk it out. Reviewing your options with a trusted friend can
stuck. And sometimes, there isn’t a “right” decision. Remember,
help you sort out what to do.
you are looking for a good decision. And you can always
continue to decision-make in response to your initial decision. ■■ Make it your own. Resist the temptation to allow others to
make difficult decisions for you. This only serves to reduce your
■■ Use your head. If you make a particular decision, can you
confidence and ability to set your own course.
explain it to others? Is it reasonable? Does it make sense?
■■ Learn from your experience. Pay attention to what you
■■ Listen to yourself. Your gut reaction/intuition is important. If a
have done to make good decisions and poor decisions. When
particular course of action doesn’t feel right, don’t pursue it.
situations and problems repeat themselves, take the opportunity
■■ Take some time to consider what you think will happen if to improve your decision-making.
you choose one decision over another. Where will the different
■■ Give yourself a break. We all have times when we make
decisions take you? Where do you want to go?
decisions we later wish we hadn’t. Forgive yourself and move on.

Effective Problem Solving and Making Good Decisions Student Counselling Services, University of Saskatchewan 3