Managing Relief and Problem Solving at the same time

When problems takes time to solve, we can provide relief to reduce it's effect while we are solving them. Providing relief mean managing resources. Resources that are used for providing relief are not going to be used to solve the problem. In fact, providing relief will sometimes delay when the problem will be solved. The balance between providing relief and solving the problem should be considered carefully.

If the problem is being solved by a team, the team could be split into two groups. One group focuses on providing relief and managing the relief effort. The other group will focus on solving the problem and executing the 5Steps. However, if we are the only one solving the problem, the resource to manage is our time. We must focus on each effort seperately by putting aside time for each. When solving the problem, use the 5Steps as a guide to provide direction or the next step in the process. Use it also to track your progress or where you are on the way to solve the problem. When switching to providing relief, the focus should be on reducing the effects of the problem. Understand the difference between providing relief and solving the problem. The relief does not solve the problem because it does not address the cause of the problem. Relief deals with the effects of a problem. This can be what the problem causes, how it is being felt or what it takes away from the people affected. It very easy to succumb to the temptation to solve the problem while providing relief. While we may gain insight into the problem while providing relief, the effort to solve the problem should be done separately. This way, the relief is not diluted or lessen nor the effort to solve the problem be side-tracked.
Providing relief and solving the problem happens over time. It is more so when there is only one person doing both. During this time establish communication between people who have common concerns. This can be between people who are solving the problem and the people providing relief. While providing relief, that may have better insight into the problem and can share that with the people who are solving the problem. However, they must provide this as information and understand that their suggestions are just that.

Providing Relief in the interim

Some problems takes time to solve. While we should always aim to solve problem, consider also what happens while it is being solved, especially when that problem affects people. To the people it affects, time is lost while we are solving the problem. While the problem is being solved, the problem continues to affect those people. We should consider providing relief while we are solving a problem. We can think of providing ways to lessen the effects of a problem.

When there is limited resources, we must make a decision whether to provide relief. Consider the effects that a problem has. Providing relief may take away resources that can be used to solve the problem. However, problems that don't have clear solutions may take a long time to solve. Relief should be provided when problems don't have a clear and immediate solution when it involves people.
Start by listing the issues that the problem causes. Look at how the problem affects people. Think of what does the problem takes away from these people. Then, identify the relief for each of the effects of the problem. Find a way to provide a replacement or assistance in place of what the problem takes away.
Sometimes, a problem can cause too many issues that not all of them can be addressed. A problem can take away too many things that we cannot find replacements for all of them. We should focus on finding relief for as many of them as possible. Providing relief for a majority of them is good use of resources. Remember, the problem is not solved yet and solving problems will need resources, too. When we do have to choose, we should triage the affects of the problem. A problems can cause issues with varying degrees. Consider this when choosing which of them to provide relief for. Set up criteria based on how critical the issue is, the number of the people that can be served by that relief effort and the limits of our own resources over time.

Get up and go face your problems

Solving problems can take it's toll. We can feel at times nothing is going our way. Every step seems a trudge uphill in a blizzard. Worse is when we feel lost. Lost because we can't seem to see an end to our problems. Lost because we have not taken that step to plan where we want to go. Sometimes we don't feel like planning our life because we can't see where we are going in life or at least see over the horizon.
There is a truth you have to know. Problems don't go away on their own and don't go away without a price.

If a problem goes away on it's own, there is a price you will have to bear. It is better you make the problem go away rather than pay that price because you don't know what that price will be. So take action. Take that first step.

One step at a time. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Go ahead and deal with your problems. Even if you don't know how to solve that problem now, one thing is certain. The road to that solution, whatever it is, begins with the first step. Don't worry about the second one. Take one step at a time. Put your focus on that next step. Then take it.
Don't forget to look up. Look up and see where you are going. Don't be surprised if you can start thinking about your direction. Don't be surprised to see more than one road ahead. Don't be afraid to decide. Taking that next step is a decision and you have been making the decision to take one more step all along the way. Make one more.
Don't be afraid to take a step back. If you took a wrong step, accept it, learn from it and move on. That is not a step back. It is a step away from certain failure. With each step you take you will find yourself be able to look up higher and higher. One day you will realize you can see the end of the road.
Take that one more step.

Framing The Problem to describe the Solution

A clear path is better is full of certainty  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While Step 1 is about describing the problem, there will be time when we are not sure what the problem is. We are unable to describe the problem because the cause is not physically nearby or it is further up the chain. In short, we are only seeing the effects of it. This in itself is a small victory. It takes skill to separate the effects of a problem and the actual cause. Most people confuse the two and misdirect their efforts in solving the problem.
So in these cases, when describing the the problem, instead of describing the attributes of the problem, approach it from the end of the solution. We can frame the description of the problem in the form of attributes of the solution. So instead of just describing the problem and stopping because we think it is beyond what we can do, continue on and describe the solution and what do you expect from it. More importantly, describe what is it that you want to achieve from the solution.

A Regret List will help you avoid them

Once we've learn to accept that mistakes are inevitable, we can get on with the business of avoiding them. The sooner the better.
In fact, you can even do one better: Regret your mistakes even before you do them. This concept comes from a little known Asian proverb which translates roughly as "to regret before doing is wise,  to regret after is futile."
So how do you regret your mistakes before you do them?
This is an exercise that can be done as part of Step5 or even Step3 and Step4. It is best done in a group because it benefits from a deep pool of experience. There will be reservations when done within this setting as trust will be a core issue. Exercise your judgment on this. Doing it alone may require you to do some soul searching as well as analysis.
Begin by putting everybody into the mindset of having solved the problem. Restate the problem as in Step2 as having solved them and addressed the primary goals. Think happy thoughts. Then ask everyone of what they would have done differently or done better.  You can also start with statements like "I wish I hadn't forgot to...".  It may be awkward for some people but ask them to think of it like going through a list of things they would have normally done after closing the door of the apartment or house as they were leaving it.  This when we would try to think whether we forgot something or left something behind before we go too far.