Probelem Solving Using P.E.A.C.E.

[Nomad]

Default Probelem Solving Using P.E.A.C.E.
Every new day comes with new problems; it is a fact of life. The problems vary in the severity, some as futile as what will I have for dinner this evening to, if I don’t pass this test I will fail English this year. In life, from my experience, I was never taught how to combat a problem. For a long time I didn’t know of any steps to take when dealing with a problem, I was very unequipped to deal with the world. Then, one day I read a book, and in the book it had a 5-step process in dealing with problems. P.E.A.C.E, besides being a great acronym, it was a great way in dealing with a problem.

P.E.A.C.E stands for: Problem, Emotion, Analyze, Consider, and Execute. The problem, is where you state what problem it is that you are facing. Lets use the needing to pass a test as an example. First, before you can deal with the problem, you must identify what the problem is. In this case, the problem is if you fail the test you will not pass English. You’ve successfully completed the first step by identifying the problem.

After identifying the problem, how does make you feel? What are your emotions? Are you scared to fail, so you feel pressure to do well and pass, or do you want to fail because you loved the class that much, and would love to take it again? Being able to figure out your emotions plays a major roll in the process. Hopefully, your problem is that you are scared of failing (wanting to fail would just be ridiculous). After you figured out the problem and how that makes you feel, you can then come up with an objective. In this case, you do not want to fail so your objective here is to get a good grade on the test.

After identifying your problem, emotions and knowing what your objective is, you can begin to analyze what you can do to meet your objective. You should not discount any option, this is a step that requires brainstorming, so let your brain flow with ideas. A list you create from our example might include: creating a cheat-cheat, studying, copying off one of your peers, or perhaps paying someone to take the test for you. Once you have finalized your possible actions that would result in passing the test it is time to contemplate.

This step is one of the most important. It is where you sit down and contemplate each option you’ve added to your list. It is important to think out all your options and the possible result from taking that action. If you create a cheat-cheat, you run the run chance of getting caught, which would be harmful to your objective. Paying someone to take your test does not ensure they will try their hardest, and pass the test for you. Copying off someone else could get your caught, and who is to say that they have the correct answers. Studying seems the best type of action, because you cannot get in trouble for studying and you are 100% dependent upon yourself. Study is truly the safest, most reliable way to pass the test.

You’ve now successfully figured out your problem, identified your emotions, analyzed all your possible options, and then considered all your options, weighing the pros and cons. Now it is time to execute your plan of action, in this case, you’d start to study for the test.

[Flaming_Rat]

I have a bad history with these sorts of acronyms. In my opinion they condense what is to some extent common actions into a hard to swallow and rather bile inducing pill form for the people who through some misfortune did not gain the knowledge before the acronym.

It's so much easier to not think about these sorts of things and let the instinctive animal side lead you to acceptance and then to adaptation.

Accept and adapt has been my policy for a long time and it's served me very well.

[Nomad]

It is easier to act than to think it through, I agree. Though if you don't have experience in good decision making, or you haven't yet figured out your own way of dealing with problems, this is helpful. Also once you used this method long enough, it becomes nature and you don't really think of it as step by step, instead your brain works through this process unconsciously.

[Flaming_Rat]

True enough.
Like I said before, I personally have a bad history with these sort of things, so I definitely don't have the most impartial eye towards this.
It obviously worked for someone or it wouldn't have ended up in a book. So whatever helps is more than good enough.

[Markme]

I like this alot,
its helped me think a little clearer in my time of darkness.