Ever feel like you’re just staring at a wall, completely stuck? I know that feeling all too well. For years, I felt like my life was one giant, tangled mess of a problem. I was trapped in a cycle of gaming addiction, binge eating, smoking, and just being lazy. The thought of fixing it all felt impossible. It was a mountain so big I couldn't even see the top.
But here’s what I learned: problem-solving isn’t some magical talent you’re born with. It’s a skill. It’s a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. I didn’t overcome my bad habits and lose over 110 pounds with one grand solution. I did it by learning how to tackle one small problem at a time, day after day.
You can do it too. It doesn't matter if your problem is big or small, at work or at home. You have what it takes to figure it out. Sometimes you just need a few tools to get started.
Your Toolkit for Tackling Any Problem
Think of these strategies as different tools in your toolbox. You don’t need to use all of them for every problem. Just pick the one that feels right for the situation.
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Define the real problem. Sometimes what we think is the problem isn't the actual issue. Don't just look at the symptom. Ask yourself: What is truly going on here?
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Break it down. A huge problem is just a bunch of small problems stacked together. Break it into tiny, manageable pieces. You can’t climb a mountain in one leap, but you can take one step.
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Work backward. Imagine your problem is already solved. What does that look like? Now, what were the steps that got you there? Working backward can reveal a clear path forward.
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Ask "why" five times. Dig deeper to find the root cause. Why am I not getting this project done? Because I’m procrastinating. Why am I procrastinating? Because I’m feeling overwhelmed. Why am I overwhelmed? Keep going until you hit the core issue.
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Talk it out. Speak with a friend, family member, or a spiritual father you trust. Just saying the problem out loud can bring clarity. A fresh perspective from someone else can be a game-changer.
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Change your environment. If you’re stuck, get up and move. Go to a different room, take a walk outside, or just tidy up your space. A change of scenery can change your perspective.
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Take a real break. Pushing through exhaustion rarely works. Step away from the problem completely. Go do something you enjoy for a bit. Let your mind rest. The solution often appears when you’re not looking for it.
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Look at it differently. How would someone you admire handle this? How would you advise a friend with this same problem? Pretending it’s not your problem can remove the emotional baggage.
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Brainstorm without judgment. Grab a pen and paper and write down every single idea that comes to mind, no matter how silly. Don’t filter anything. The goal is quantity, not quality, at this stage.
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Draw a map. Sometimes problems are easier to see than to describe. Sketch it out. Use boxes and arrows. A visual map can help you see connections you might have missed.
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Find a quiet place. Our world is noisy. It’s hard to think clearly with constant distractions. Find a quiet corner where you can just sit with your thoughts without interruption.
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Pray about it. This one is my foundation. When I feel lost or overwhelmed, I turn to God. I don’t ask for a magic answer. I ask for wisdom, strength, and peace. Handing my anxieties over to Him lightens the load and helps me see things more clearly.
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Look for patterns. Have you faced a similar problem before? What worked then? What didn’t? Your past experiences are valuable data.
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Simplify. We often overcomplicate things. Ask yourself: What is the absolute simplest first step I can take? It might be as small as sending one email or making one phone call.
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Set a deadline. A problem without a deadline can stretch on forever. Give yourself a realistic timeframe to make a decision or take the first step. It creates a sense of healthy pressure.
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Acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel frustrated, angry, or scared. Don't ignore those emotions. Acknowledge them, and then gently set them aside so you can think with a clearer head.
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Focus on what you can control. You can't control the weather, the economy, or what other people do. You can control your own actions and your own attitude. Put your energy there.
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Learn from others. Read a book, listen to a talk, or simply observe how others have solved similar challenges. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
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Test a small solution. Instead of committing to a massive, irreversible plan, try a small-scale test. See what happens. This lowers the risk and gives you valuable feedback.
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Just start. This is often the hardest part. Analysis paralysis is real. Pick one small action from your list and do it right now. Momentum is a powerful force.
From Overwhelmed to Action
When I decided to lose weight, the number on the scale—110 pounds to lose—was terrifying. It was a massive, abstract problem. If I had focused on that number every day, I would have given up.
Instead, I used strategy #2: Break it down.
My problem wasn't "lose 110 pounds." It was "What am I going to eat for my next meal?" or "Can I go for a 15-minute walk today?" I broke the giant problem into hundreds of tiny, daily decisions. I focused on making one good choice at a time.
I also leaned heavily on strategy #12: Pray about it. The struggle with food addiction and laziness wasn't just physical. It was deeply spiritual. There were countless moments of weakness when I felt I couldn't go on. In those moments, I would stop and pray. I asked God for the strength to get through the next hour, to resist the craving, to choose what was good for me. My faith wasn't a passive wish; it was an active partnership. It gave me the resilience to keep going when my own willpower ran out.
By focusing on small, daily actions and grounding myself in prayer, the impossible became possible. One healthy meal at a time. One walk at a time. One day at a time. That’s how the 110 pounds came off. That's how real change happens.
You are more capable than you think. You have the strength and the tools to face whatever is in front of you. Don't let the size of the problem intimidate you. Just pick one tool from the list.
What's one small problem you're facing today? Choose one strategy and give it a try. What is the very first step you can take right now?
