Identify approaches to refine a solution to a problem.
Criticism can be used as a tool in order to solve problems and the logic behind this can be explained by two meaningful statements. The first statement is that ‘no solution is ever perfect’ and the second one is that ‘there is always a scope of improvement in the current solution’. It is important and interesting to understand that problems and solutions are always interlinked, however at times lack of focus may lead to a solution which is not a perfect solution as such, however still seems convincing to the person who created the solution.
Here criticism plays an important role and helps to identify the areas which may lead to a drastic improvement in the previous solution and hence ends up giving a much better outcome. In order to make the use of criticism in problem solving it is important that primarily there is a required curiosity to know about the shortcomings and also must avoid any assumptions related to the understanding of the other person. Hence changes made to a solution after evaluating the criticism from well informed audience will definitely result in providing the right solution.
In order to refine a solution we need to ask few questions to our self and then we will be able to conclude that what should be the changes to a particular solution to make it perfect. First of all the exact application of the solution has to be questioned followed by an assessment of the difficulties that may be faced while the solution is implemented. It is also important to study if there are any factors that may attract criticism from others and how can the solution be modified to avoid this. Lastly, the stake holder must be decided for the solution implementation so that we know that who will actually approve this as the right solution and how should it be presented before the same. After determining the answers to all the above questions, if we modify the solution, it can then be expected to provide the maximum possible output.
Many people argue unrealistic standards of beauty as set through celebrities and the media is a real problem for our society. Men and women are influenced by media to strive for idealistic versions of perfection. How could you help someone who is struggling with low self-esteem and sense of self-worth to see, through critical thinking, beyond the messages they are bombarded with on a daily basis?
Critical thinking is not only about understanding the point of view the others have related to a particular problem, but it is also about using own thought process to understand if the opinion or idea coming from the others really makes sense or not. If someone is struggling with low self-esteem and sense of self worth due to the opinions expressed by the others, it is again a problem and this can also have a solution based on critical thinking, its just that the strategic application of critical thinking will be a little different over here and the primary goal here will be to overcome the obstacles. First of all it is required to understand that, are the opinions given regarding a particular person valid or not and moreover are they a part of a productive though or is it simply an attempt to criticize anything and everything. The second should be answering a questionnaire about the importance of a solution based on criticism and whether it is possible for a solution to be created and if yes what is the productivity related to that solution. Hence looking at the above questions it is easy to understand that criticism in this case is not adding any value and therefore such a criticism should be proactively ignored.
How can being open to criticism help you solve problems in your daily life?
Problems are a part of life and it is not wrong to say that we continuously keep on finding solutions to different small and big problems that we face in our life. Now since there are problems, it will be important to find solutions as well and the solutions have to be good as well, but at times it happens that since we find the solution to our own problems we end up believing that it is the best, however there is always a scope of improvement and that scope is available to only those people who are open to criticism. If a person is open to criticism, he or she gets that opportunity to understand and evaluate the shortcomings of everyday life and therefore successfully solves all the problems of daily life. Hence being open to criticism provides that chance to know that what can be improved further and helps to use a multidimensional approach while solving any problem.
Sometimes your ego can make it hard for you to receive criticism of your own solutions. Do you think some personality types are naturally better at receiving criticism than others? What strategies can you use to be more receptive of criticism of your own ideas and solutions?
It is always difficult to receive criticism of one’s own solutions however this is only the case where it is perceived as criticism; a critical thinker will understand that criticism of his solutions is basically another tool to improve the solutions and hence it will be taken positively and rather invited wherever possible. There is no specific personality type which will be definitely open to criticism however people with good self confidence and critical thinking capabilities will better understand the importance of criticism in improving one’s life. The two most important strategies which help to get the maximum benefit out of criticism are basically being curious and avoiding assumptions, if we talk about being curious, it basically means basically being one’s own critic and that is how criticism will be better understood and utilized. A curious person will always be inquisitive and interested to know that how a particular solution will work once actually implemented and this will result in a regular improvement of the solution found.
Since you graduated from high school, you’ve been wondering what single improvement could be made in your school system between kindergarten and twelfth grade that would have the best and most lasting impact on students. Now you’ve come up with the answer: have the students be taught how to think, directly and systematically. Now take that idea and refine it.
It is important to analyze my own solution critically in order to refine it in the best manner. The solution will be applied by directly introducing another subject ‘positive and creative thinking’ which will have increasing complexity and will become more and more detailed as the students reach the higher grades. It will be difficult to implement this as another subject as there is already a lot of pressure related to other subjects, however this can be improved by adding fun learning activities and there should not be any exam of this subject. There may be opinions against this new subject on the grounds of academic pressure and utility and in order to modify the solution this subject will involve fun activities and will be a part of the moral curriculum. Lastly, the principle of the school will have to be persuaded, to approve this solution and the basic approach will display that how this solution is perfect in order to enable children with the lifelong benefits of positive and systematic thinking. Hence by answering the possible questions and criticism that I may face, I have already taken the possible obstructions into account and it is refined now.
