Problem solving with pants on

problem solving is scary

Most people are terrified of problem solving, whether they’re figuring out how to replace a flat tire or diagnose a problem on their blog. They see a problem, and run so fast their pants are literally flayed from their bodies. Why? Because:

  • A failed solution = A mistake
  • Solutions require time, which no one has
  • Solutions require research, which few people know how to do

But good problem solving skills save time, improve projects and do all sorts of fantastic stuff for you, your career and your life. Good problem solvers are sexy!

Here’s how I usually approach problems. All in a handy-dandy cheat sheet (don’t call it an infographic):

The problem solving cheatsheet

Problem solving with your pants on

Feel free to embed this, using this code:

You can also download the sheet in PDF.

Note: Print at your own risk. It’s humungous.

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Ian Lurie
/ portentint
Portent's Founder & CEO

Ian Lurie is founder and CEO of Portent Inc., an internet marketing agency that has provided internet marketing, including PPC, SEO, social and analytics services, since 1995. more >

3 Responses to “Problem solving with pants on”

  1. Kirsten Wright - December 15, 2011 at 6:19 pm #

    Problem solving takes guts, something many of us forget we have! ;) Great cheat sheet.

  2. Jon Anscher - December 19, 2011 at 12:46 am #

    I agree, problem-solving is not something to be afraid of. Problem-solving is one the major skills we teach on our ropes course. It’s surprising how often we give up simply because we don’t have a good process for resolving obstacles we face.

  3. Pedro Matias - December 20, 2011 at 1:43 am #

    Very nice, I really like the side note on research and formulating Google queries properly rather than glaze at page one and blame the search engine for being crap :-)

    And that looks like my first comment here without a typo.
    Hurray