Behavior Change
Hums 102
Shauna Stevens
11/14/12

Problem solving is defined as a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems. The main goal of problem solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that resolves the issue in the best way. In order to solve or change a problem or behavior you must follow certain steps. Problem solving involves a series of steps. These steps include identifying the problem, defining the problem, forming a plan to solve the problem, organizing information, monitoring progress, and evaluating the results. The first step is to identify the problem; this is not always easy to do. When identifying the behavior or problem wanting to be changed it is important not to make it to large of a subject. The second step is to define the problem, by knowing what the problem is, it becomes easier to correct. Next a plan is formed. This plan will include thoughts and ideas on how the problem will be solved. After a plan is made it is time to organize information. It is important to get all the information we know about the problem. This information will help with finding the proper solution. With all this done it is time to monitor the progress. This is an important step. This allows for changes to be made in the problem solving process if improvement is not being shown. Lastly the results should be evaluated. By evaluating the results it will be known if the solution is the best answer for the problem. Although these steps are important it is not necessary to follow them one by one. Each person is different and they have different methods to solving their problems. I learned from this behavior change assignment that the problem solving process is more complex and difficult than I had first thought it would be. When discussing problem solving it sounded like an easy to follow step by step process. I found out I was completely wrong. The behavior change project opened my eyes and changed my views about the problem solving process. This process is not as simple as I had thought it would be. I thought I would just have to make a few small changes in my behavior and my problem would be solved. It ended up being more involved. It takes a serious commitment, a commitment to change. As I found out from one week to the next this commitment can be difficult. Old habits die hard and I found myself slipping back to my old routine. The first week was one of the hardest, I had to force myself to flow the plan. I did not stick to it very well, so I had little to no improvement. I had good intentions of making a change but, I did not follow through. So I had to rethink my plan, maybe I had not made my goal clear enough. So back to the drawing board I went. Doing this helped. The next week I worked harder at sticking to my goal and changing my negative thoughts and behavior. I worked on my goal a little each day and by the end