How do you solve challenging problems?

Challenges require the full use of your abilities or resources. Because it is challenging it is offering you the chance to solve the problem by whatever means is available to you. Look at the problem and break it down into its different parts. What is it asking you, what does it want you to do, is the answer available to you somewhere. Most challenging problems have answers, it is a matter of knowing where to look or who to ask for help with finding the answer.

A Slightly Different Perspective:

What to do: Have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

• Define: clearly define the challenge. It's essential to know exactly what the problem is. Time spent on this first step will save time at every other step.
• Objectives: set clear objectives, each designed to address a specific element of the challenge.
• Plan: make a specific plan to accomplish each objective, then follow the plan.

Personal Tools:

• Objectivity: Research must be thorough and objective;
• Receptivity: Challenge necessarily presents new ideas. Be prepared to accept them;
• Commitment: Set out to accomplish;
• Persistence: Decide to stay with it until it's done;
• Perseverance: See it through, no matter what happens.