Actions and Reactions that may seem to be minimal at the time, often have consequences that far outreach our future focus. With every thought, action and day we live, we CREATE our future and that of those we have relationships with, whether it is` directly or indirectly.
Granted, situations beyond our control have an influence on our life and the lives of others. It is how we choose to react to these situations that will determine their outcome.
Problem Solving is an art! One that can be mastered with practice. Solving problems in a way that is beneficial to you and those around you is an important step in guaranteeing that the future you create is a productive one.
The SEARCH method is designed to give you a systematic, step by step, approach that will help you make choices that are consistent with your personal values and goals. As you plan, you will find that you will have the opportunity to make choices that will possibly be in the best interest for yourself and others.
Let's look at a Practical Problem that a teenager may face.
You are in high school, and you have just found out one of your parents received a job transfer to another state. The family will be moving just weeks before the end of the school year. Your grandparents, and other relatives live 100 miles away in another town. This job transfer will provide more financial stability to your family. What will you do?
As we work through the problem step by step - observe that practical problems can be easy to solve or be more complicated, depending on the parties involved and influences that will shape your decision.
There may be more than one way to solve the problem. Remember what may be a right way to solve a problem for one person may not be the right way for the other person. Thus, there is no right or wrong answer as a solution.
The first step in problem solving is to identify the problem. Write the problem as specifically as you can.
What should I do about my family moving before school is out?
What do you know? What Ethics are involved? Who does this problem affect?
1. My family is moving before school is out.
2. My family is important to me.
3. My extended family lives too far away.
4. My family has good friends in the community.
5. My entire family and friends are involved with this problem.
What are 3 possible solutions to the problem and the consequence of each solution?
1. Run away. 1. Family & friends upset.
2. Stay with family friend. 2. Finish out school year.
3. Move with family. 3. May loose credits.
There may be more than three possible solutions and consequences. Sometimes coming up with three will be hard. It is okay to think "Outside of the Box" and don't give up - All problems have a solution. The solution may be temporary or long term, depending on the situation.
When looking at all of the information - I have decided that -
♦Staying with a family friend so that I can finish my school year - would be the BEST solution for me.
I took into consideration all factors involved: my parents, my friends, and my education. It was evident that I valued my family and my education as I had to make the decision.
When looking at solutions be sure that the solution will not put you in danger or anyone else in danger. It is unethical to harm yourself or someone else in order to solve a problem. The solution to run away, would have hurt myself and my family.
Now that you have a possible solution:
♦Staying with a family friend so that I can finish my school year.
You now have to come up with a plan.
1. Talk with parents about concern of not being allowed to finish school year. Discuss possible solutions and consequences.
2. Talk with parents about the possibility of staying with a family friend.
3. Be available to talk with family friend and parents to discuss possibility.
4. Set ground rules together with parents and family friend.
5. Assist parents in moving and prepare for transition to stay with family friend until the end of school.
As you work through the plan, you can add steps and rework the plan to fit the circumstance and your needs.
So, what happened? Did it work out as you anticipated?
I was able to stay with my parents friends until school let out. It was a good solution and I was able to show my parents that I could take responsibilty for decisions I made. I finished the school year and realized it was hard to be away from my family.
OR
Staying with my parents friend was not a good situation. I looked at the other possible solutions and decided it would be best to move to where my family was. The good thing that came from that, is that the school let me complete my finals early so that I could be with my family. I used my resources (school) to help make a new decision.
The plan that you put in place may not turn out the way you anticipate. You must then re-evaluate other solutions, or come up with new workable solutions.
You may not be able to HIGHLIGHT the OUTCOME once your plan has been implemented. The outcome may not occur in a timely manner - at least not timely to you. Critical problems (crisis situations) sometimes do not have an outcome for many days, weeks, months or years and they may need to be reworked over and over as time progresses.
Congratulations
You have just finished solving one of many problems in your future.
Remember: The future you create is dependent on how you react to situations you face each and every day. You get to choose ... and that choice will either make you or break you.
If you make a poor choice, don't give up, eventually you will get the hang of it and utilizing the resources you have and this new found knowledge - of SEARCHing for the Solutions - you CAN and WILL be Successful in Life!
SEARCH Method
STATE THE PROBLEM.
What should ____________ do about?
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EXAMINE THE FACTS, VALUES & PEOPLE INOLVED.
(What do you know? What Ethics are involved? Who does this problem affect?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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ANALYZE THE OPTIONS.
(What are 3 possible solutions to the problem and the consequence of that solution?)
SOLUTIONS CONSEQUENCES1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
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REVIEW THE OPTIONS & SELECT THE BEST CHOICE.
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CHART & START AN ACTION PLAN.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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HIGHLIGHT THE OUTCOME.
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Cheryl E. LeFon
South Central RPDC | Missouri S&T |
800 University Drive | Rolla, MO 65409
Office Phone: (573) 341-6481 | Fax: (573) 341-6577
Email: lefonc@mst.edu
Web: http://rpdc.mst.edu
Pictures obtained from:
Word clouds created by using:
SEARCH Model developed by:
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Family Consumer Sciences & Human Services Education
Jefferson City, Missouri