7 Steps for Solving Problems

When we came across the following story, we felt like we just had to write something about it. Probably the most obvious noteworthy aspect is the willingness of so many employees of the Oxford Hills (Maine) school district to let go of a little so no one would have to let go of a lot.

And if you are wondering what this has to do with health, just remember that people who give tend to be healthier. Also, if you are without a job and without money, it's hard to eat a truly healthy diet.

It’s hard to find a better lesson: when we give, we receive, and we often end up with even more to give.

Probably many of us could afford to give up a day’s income to contribute to a worthy cause or a needy person or family, like many of Oxford Hills’ school employees did. Or reflect on Willis Hatch and his schoolteacher wife, Arlene, who lived simply and saved over one and half million dollars to spread among friends of all ages after their deaths, instead of spending it on themselves. (http://www.naturalhealthstrategies.com/willis-hatch-legacy.html)

There are a couple of other points in the Oxford Hills story that also really stand out. But first, the story.

When Mark Eastman, the district superintendent of Oxford Hills, a small community in western Maine, was told in the middle of the academic year that he had to trim half a million dollars from his budget, he tried mightily to do so without trimming jobs. But he came up almost a hundred thousand dollars short.

Jim Thornton, who teaches fifth grade and is president of the local teacher's union, also believed there had to be a way to solve the shortfall without laying off school district employees, teachers or not. Thornton explained, "I heard a yearning of 'How can we save these jobs?' And it was from that and brainstorming that we were able to put this idea together," according to ABC News.

The idea they came up with was to write a letter asking school district employees to voluntarily give up one day’s pay to make up for the remaining shortfall. Over 60% agreed, and the amount generated was even more than what was needed.

Innovation is great in good times, but it is vital for solving problems in tough times.

The same goes for communication, the kind that actively seeks ideas from everyone involved, listens to them, and then acts on the ones reached by consensus. And that is exactly the approach the leaders in Oxford Hills used to encourage everyone to get everyone involved and become part of the solution. Together they found an innovative solution, together they implemented it, and together they made it work.

It’s a positive, productive way to solve problems that can work in a variety of situations, from the little family council around the dining room table discussing family plans, needs, and difficulties, all the way to a company facing financial cutbacks and possible layoffs, like the Oxford Hills school district and many others.

Here’s a simple strategy you might find useful when you’re faced with a problem.

7 steps for solving problems

1. Identify the problem. This might seem obvious, but if you don't take this step when solving problems, and get it right, how will you ever come to an appropriate solution?
2. Get everyone involved together to discuss it. It’s very important to include everyone affected, not just the usual decision-makers.
3. Create a climate where everyone feels free to contribute, and encourage participation, especially from the more reticent. Brainstorming can be helpful in the beginning stage, because with brainstorming, a large number of ideas can be generated without the need to immediately evaluate them.
4. Together, select the ideas that seem feasible, and come to a consensus as to which you will try. This is usually the most complex part of the process, and each family or organization has to find out what works best, as well as be open to changing the process as needed.
5. Come to specific conclusions as to who will do what and when, and how accountability will be managed. Implement the plan.
6. Monitor progress.
7. Celebrate the victories!

If you believe in prayer, even if maybe you’re not used to praying in somewhat “mundane” situations, you’ll probably find it very helpful to pray at the beginning of each solving problems step, as well as during any rough patches that may come up.

Happy problem solving!

You can read the Oxford Hills School District solving problems story here.

Go to Natural Health Remedies and Strategies home page from Solving Problems page