1. Dealing with Problems in Daily Life – Unit 337

2. Learning Objectives By the end of this session you will:
Recognise a problem
Tackle a problem
Review the way the problem was solved

3. What is a Problem?
“A doubtful or difficult matter requiring a solution”
“Something hard to understand or accomplish or deal with.”

4. What is Problem Solving?
Problem solving is overcoming obstacles that stop you achieving your goal.
Goals
Goals can be anything that you wish to achieve, where you want to be. If you are hungry then your goal is probably to eat something.
Obstacle
An obstacle to this goal may be that you have no food available.

5. Stages to Problem Solving
1. What is the problem
2. Why is it a problem
3. Ideas to deal with the problem
4. Identify the best solution
5. Put the solution into practice
6. Evaluate the outcome

6. 1. What is the Problem
The first step in problem-solving is working out exactly what the problem is. Problem - My friend is really annoying me Goal – Tell my friend to stop annoying me

7. 2. Why is it a Problem It is a problem because:
I am worried that I will lose my temper
I don’t know how to tell them
I don’t want to hurt their feelings
(the obstacles)

8. 3. Ideas to Deal with the Problem
Brainstorming
The aim is to produce as many ideas as possible.
The aim is for the group to come up with ideas at a rapid pace. 
All ideas should be encouraged, regardless of how irrelevant, 'stupid' or 'off the mark' they might seem.
Absolutely no criticism of any suggestions is allowed. 

9. 3. Ideas to Deal with the Problem
Don’t do anything
Get advice from someone/somewhere
Get another friend to say something
Stop being friends with the person
Stop being around the friend in the situations that annoy you
Speak to your friend with someone else there
Speak to your friend alone

10. 4. Identify the Best Solution
Look at each idea and think about the pros and cons
Analyse and risks
Make a decision based on the best possible option.

11. 5. Put the Solution into Practice
Accept the solution you decided on
Do whatever you decided needs to be done
Practise what needs to be said on another friend
Speak to your friend and calmly explain the problem and what you would like to see being done differently.

12. 6. Evaluate the Outcome
After trying the solution, make time to ask yourself whether it worked. If your friend has stopped the annoying behaviour as a result of your chat - then it has worked.

13. Dealing with Problems in Daily Life – Unit 337