10 Genius Traits for Problem-Solving
10 Traits That Will Make You a Genius at Problem-Solving
Here are ten traits which will bring out your inner genius in solving any type of problem.
10 Genius Traits for Problem-Solving
Problem-Solving Trait #1: Patience
Probably the most important attribute in being a great problem-solving is knowing that not all problems are solved as soon as we’d like them to be. If you’re able to be patient with the process and not give up in frustration, anger or despair, it’s more than likely that eventually, you’ll find the answer you’ve been looking for.
Problem-Solving Trait #2: Persistence
It’s not enough to be patient; being a brilliant problem-solver means continuing to work at the problem, even when you’ve become tired and demoralized. Eventually, your persistence is likely to pay off, especially if you combine it with the traits below.
Problem-Solving Trait #3: Trust
You need to trust that you’ve got what it takes to solve the problem, or at least that you have the smarts to know when to ask for help in doing so. You also need to trust that almost every problem has a solution- even if you can’t imagine what that might be at the moment- and that if you’re patient and persistent, eventually you’ll figure it out.
Problem-Solving Trait #4: Creativity
You have to let go of your self-limiting thinking habits. Sometimes the most brilliant solutions come from the strangest places. When pondering your problem, sometimes it’s good to get into a quiet, meditative state and allow your imagination to flow freely. It’s when you abandon your linear thinking and surrender to your intuition that the best solutions will come to you.
Problem-Solving Trait #5: Recall
This means retaining and being able to access all that you’ve learned in school and from books, as well as what you’ve taken in from just living. We don’t realize how much valuable information we casually take in over the course of a life-time. When a difficult problem arises, we can surprise ourselves by recalling some otherwise seemingly trivial bit of information that in this particular situation proves enormously useful.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to read widely, travel extensively, talk to many different types of people about many different types of things, and engage in a variety of interesting and challenging activities. Never underestimate the importance of some random fact or idea that you’ve picked up along the way.
Problem-Solving Trait #6: Openness
I find that being open-minded allows a person to learn more, understand more and become superior at problem-solving. Open-minded people aren’t convinced that they know the right way or the one way to do each thing. When you’re open-minded, you learn different ways to do different things, and see the value of trying different approaches at different times.
This openness also refers to considering unusual or atypical solutions to your problem. If you’re not so quick to say, “Oh no, that couldn’t possibly work!” and instead are willing to say, “Hey, why not give it a try?” then you’re well on your way to becoming a brilliant problem-solver.
Problem-Solving Trait #7: Adaptability
This means being able to change course; to throw away a plan that’s not working and consider another option. You end up wasting a lot less time when you stop trying to turn an unworkable solution into a viable one. When you’re adaptable and can let go of a bad idea, you allow yourself the freedom to start again with, presumably, a better idea.
Problem-Solving Trait #8: Humor
Problems can frequently be upsetting, frustrating, painful. You need a sense of humor when confronting such a problem or you might just want to give up from the misery of the whole thing. You’ve got to be able to laugh at the problem you’re facing, as well as at yourself.
If you’re able to find this lightness, even in a heavy situation, your mind will be nimbler and a solution will be more accessible. No matter how challenging the problem, if you want to find an answer, you can’t allow yourself to become gloomy or morose, as this will put your innate genius to sleep.
Problem-Solving Trait #9: Efficiency
A problem may take a while to solve, but we don’t want to spend more time on it than is absolutely necessary. For this reason, we need to work meaningfully toward resolving the problem. We must make the best use of our time by being focused and organized; paying attention to the important details and not allowing distractions to lure us away from our goal.
Efficiency isn’t incompatible with creativity or open-mindedness, as it’s the balance and interchange of these traits which allows our inner problem-solving genius to flourish.
Problem-Solving Trait #10: Passion
There’s no better motivation for solving a problem than really, really wanting a solution. Whether it’s a research scientist striving for an end to an epidemic, a cancer patient’s spouse seeking an alternative to the treatment that’s not working, an athlete in need of a way out of their slump or an artist desperate to figure out how to execute their vision, the powerful desire to find a solution is the best driving force there is.
We can be passionate on our own behalf, on behalf of a loved one or on behalf of our community or society. We might desperately want to solve a problem in our job or our relationship, or something less personal, like climate change, poverty, warfare or AIDS.
Passion can keep us focused when we need to stay on course; it can keep us going even when we’re exhausted and without a clue. When we allow our passion for a solution to drive us, it unlocks our inner genius and brings us ever closer to a brilliant solution.
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About the Author
Marcia Sirota MD FRCP(C) is a board-certified psychiatrist, that does not ascribe to any one theoretical school. Rather, she has integrated her education and life experiences into a unique approach to the practice of psychotherapy. She considers herself a realist with a healthy measure of optimism. Sign up here for her free monthly wellness newsletter. Listen here to her latest podcast. marciasirotamd.com
