problem solving

the time that I got blocked on a simple problem

Actually on my last post on this blog; it was a simple problem but I couldn't find the words, I got mentally blocked and just hit a wall, time was ticking and needed to write it!

In order to solve it I actually used the rubber duck method, in this case I spoke to my dog about it, I immediately didn't think I was using that method, I was just rambling about finding the words and while doing that, the words came to me, so I started writing. It was then that I noticed that I have used this method before and do it often. It made me feel really good as this was the first time that I notice that I use this method. I learn that sometimes I just need to express my ideas out loud and also that sometimes I just need to write.

the time I solved a problem in an elegant way

So there was also the time when I designed a piece of furniture for my living room. There was a bookshelf and a tv stand, but then swap the old tv for a flat screen, needless to say that nothing look good with that change, so I decided that I needed new furniture to make everything look better, so I sat down and wrote what I wanted: "the bookshelf to be integrated with the tv stand" something that look simple enough, this case I used the 'pseudocode' with a slight twist, I did a couple of sketches, so next step went to the hardware store and got what I needed, that night I sat down and enjoy a nice evening watching tv... my new tv with my 'own designed' bookshelf/tv furniture. This time I learned that I can do what I set my mind into. (after 5 years I still have this piece of furniture... there's no glue, no nails or no screws!)

reflection on problem solving techniques

I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that I do tend to utilise more of these methods than I expected, google is probably the most common, although it is important to know what to search and how to search for it. I tend to also express myself out loud (the rubber duck method), but this I only tend to do it when I'm alone or if I'm speaking with a person that is in the room about it. The pseudocode is another method that I tend to use a lot, I use it to clear my head and help me get a clearer idea of what needs to be done, sometimes I don't need to write about the problem but to draw a graph or a sketch, anything to help me visualise the problem in order to be able to solve it. I do, however tend to be a bit shy when it comes to look to a classmate or facilitator when I have a problem, I have realised that I am a bit stubborn like that and want to find the answer by myself, I need to learn to ask for help when I need it.