Got A Problem? Solve It Using This Week's Prompt

Have you ever heard of the Rubber Ducky method for solving problems?

No?

Let me explain.

Have you ever been stuck with a problem, but as soon as you talk to someone about it, you figure out the solution.

There's something about explaining the problem to someone else that helps you figure it out.

Well it turns out software developers have been doing this to help them solve problems with their code.

Only instead of talking to a person about it. They talk to - you guessed it- a rubber ducky.

Yeah...

Strange as it is. It seems to work.

This week's prompt works similarly to the Rubber Ducky method to help you work through your problem to come up with a solution.

Welcome to The Kaizen Club newsletter.

Each week we'll be sharing one journalling prompt to help you grow.

Recently I've found it useful to use journalling prompts to solve problems.

I used to think journalling is just for processing emotions.

But it's also a powerful tool to help you solve problems.

The right prompt can help you figure out a solution you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

There's something about writing it down.

It forces you into clearer thinking.

It makes you think about the problem in a way that's easier to explain. When you write, you can't just assume. You have to be clear. It has to be written in a way that's understandable.

It forces you to check your understanding of the problem.

When you understand the problem better, you can work out different solutions to fix it.

You can move from obvious options to more unique and novel solutions.

One prompt I've found useful that forces me to write the problem out in a clearer way is the following:

Write like you're talking to a friend.

Explain the problem, what's not working and what you've tried. Then, think about what advice you'd give if you were helping them out.

Write down any new ideas or ways to fix things.

I think this prompt works in two ways:

1. When you're explaining the problem to a friend, you can't just assume that they know certain aspects of the problem. You have to break it down into simpler, clearer terms.

2. By giving the advice as if it were the friends problem, it creates separation. It's surprising how we give good advice to other people but get bogged down by our own problems. Changing perspective helps to make you more objective to the problem.

Have you tried writing through your problem?

Try this week's prompt and see if you find it useful.

Let me know how you get on.

Thank you for being part of The Kaizen Club.

We share 1 journal prompt each week to help you grow step-by-step.

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Stay Thriving,

Shoaib.