Problem solving has a direct correlation to the way a person looks at a particular situation. Choosing to act or not act and how you try to solve a problem are also personal decisions influenced by perception, experience, mindset, and personality. One person’s disaster is another person’s opportunity. One person’s loss is another’s burden lifted.

It is incredibly difficult to be objective and gain distance from a problem as our ego will always mask our prejudices and defend our core beliefs. No matter how hard we try, these beliefs will influence our decisions, sometimes in a very negative way. You may never come to the conclusion that the best decision goes against a strong belief. When a challenge goes against a core belief, it generates internal defensiveness and stubbornness. You are also working against assumptions, expectations, and general feelings that may be leading you astray.

Because it is so difficult to achieve objectivity on your own, when challenged with an important decision, it should be seen as a pleasure to have an outside source for reliable, neutral judgement.

We’ve all had experiences asking a loved one for opinion, and although we may value it, the final decision must always come from within us. Personal evaluation and exploration of feelings, assumptions, and expectations is the only way to feel confident about a solution to a problem.