Problem Solving Quotes

The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers ~ Lev S. Vygotsky

Americans have a tendency to believe that when there's a problem there must be a solution. ~ Henry Kissinger

A high-mature digital organization is shifting from "pushing" stuff to the digital channel into "pulling" resources up for problem-solving. ~ Pearl Zhu

Today much of what we call education is merely knowledge gathering and remembering. Problem solving and thinking, never strong parts of our educational system, have been downgraded in all but a few scientific subjects. ~ William Glasser

He had a problem, like any other problem. The problem just hadn't been well posed. The problem was: Should he leave Penny or not? ~ Alan Lightman

Facing problems is like looking at a sink piled up with dirty dishes. More you think more they stink. It takes only to roll up the sleeves and start washing them, one by one. In just ten minutes they are done. ~ Vinko Vrbanic

Problem solving is hunting. It's a savage pleasure and we're born to it. ~ Thomas Harris

Strategic execution always solves problems ~ Edwin Dearborn

Horses in the Book of Mormon would be another. You have relatively few mentions of horses, but there are some, and we don't know exactly how they were used; they don't seem to be all that common. Were they horses as we understood them, [or] does the term describe some other animal? Languages don't always and cultures don't always classify things the way we would expect. We have what we call common-sense ways of doing it. They're not common sense; they're just ours. But again, we don't have a strong case there. We're just problem solving there. ~ Daniel C. Peterson

Peace is a process - a way of solving problems. ~ John F. Kennedy

Money is merely a reward for solving problems. ~ Mike Murdock

So for Magic Problem-Solving 101, we headed to the training room and blew stuff up. ~ Rick Riordan

Problems often become worse if incompetent people try to solve them. ~ Eraldo Banovac

There is no fault, only responsibility. ~ Rob Liano

I never see problems. I always see challenges. By definition, a problem is something unwelcome or harmful, whereas a challenge is a contest. Contests can be won; and, I love winning. ~ Wayne Gerard Trotman

The improvisational ability to lead adaptively relies on responding to the present situation rather than importing the past into the present and laying it on the current situation like an imperfect template. ~ Ronald A. Heifetz

Pay attention to the inner voice that tells you when something feels right. Much of your creative problem-solving occurs at an unconscious level. ~ Nita Leland

Solving Problems with NMR Spectroscopy is a very welcome addition to the existing literature. It fulfills a real need for an up-to-date and authoritatively written introduction for students and practitioners of NMR. ~ Richard Ernst

I think that our cooperative conservation approaches get people to sit down and grapple with problem solving. ~ Gale Norton

Never bring the problem solving stage into the decision making stage. Otherwise, you surrender yourself to the problem rather than the solution. ~ Robert H. Schuller

The high-quality communication is to bridge differences and encourage problem-solving. ~ Pearl Zhu

Life is a crisis - so what! ~ Malcolm Bradbury

Learning how to do psychotherapy is a complex process, much of which is transacted in the relationship between the beginning therapists and experienced supervisors. When the beginning therapists encounter problems that are beyond their range of experience, the supervisors usually assist in several ways. First, the supervisors offer an intellectual
framework in which to understand the problem. References to the professional literature are often suggested. Second, the supervisors offer practical, problem-solving help with the strategies of therapy. Third and most important, the supervisors help the less experienced therapists to deal with feelings of their own that have been evoked by the patients. With the support of competent supervisors, the therapists are usually able to master their own troubled feelings and put them in perspective.
This done, the therapists are better able to attend to patients with empathy, and with a confidence in their ability to offer help. ~ Judith Lewis Herman

Persuasion with good intention helps problem-solving; manipulation often serves the ego. ~ Pearl Zhu

Solving a problem for which you know there's an answer is like climbing a mountain with a guide, along a trail someone else has laid. In mathematics, the truth is somewhere out there in a place no one knows, beyond all the beaten paths. And it's not always at the top of the mountain. It might be in a crack on the smoothest cliff or somewhere deep in the valley. ~ Yoko Ogawa

and of course people started shooting, because that's what passes for problem-solving among humans. See, guys, this is why you can't have nice things. It ~ Erin Bow

Brainstorming is the nexus of ideas. ~ Asa Don Brown

Collaboration is important not just because it's a better way to learn. The spirit of collaboration is penetrating every institution and all of our lives. So learning to collaborate is part of equipping yourself for effectiveness, problem solving, innovation and life-long learning in an ever-changing networked economy. ~ Don Tapscott

Life discoveries are lead by an acceptance of mistakes and efforts to correct them. ~ Auliq Ice

If your only tool is a hammer then every problem looks like a nail. ~ Abraham H. Maslow

The opposite of a problem would likely be the correct solution. ~ Joey Lawsin

Politics is a kind of problem solving. No matter what organizational challenge you face, and how frustrating it might be, it's just another kind of problem to solve. ~ Scott Berkun

In fact, during my research and interviews with McKinsey alumni, the Talk element of the model was consistently ranked the most important of all interpersonal elements. Why is it that the simple act of talking can cause so many problems in team problem solving? Generally, because we don't have specific Rules of Engagement; because we like to speak more often than we listen; and because we get personally attached to our own points of view. ~ Paul N. Friga

When Vincent didn't understand something, he would figure it out. When Frank didn't understand something, he'd light it on fire. ~ Nicole Castle

The mind is a wonderful problem-solving machine without which there exists not even a single problem. ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana

I like the idea of going to university and studying. I didn't do it because it was a back-up plan. In some ways, it kind of goes hand in hand with acting. There's a lot of analysis and enriching your mind, as well as problem solving. And it can only help being around people as an actor. ~ Yasmin Paige

Most people use their minds to solve problems way less often than they use their minds to create problems. ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Creating something is all about problem-solving. ~ Philip Seymour Hoffman

One barrier ... is the impoverishment of classroom language, the failure to cultivate a common vocabulary about inquiry, explanation, argument and problem solving. ~ David Perkins

Solving problems is better than forgetting them otherwise you will be reminded of them at a bad time. ~ Auliq Ice

Metacognitive disorders can be interpreted in terms of early, historical views in which the frontal cortex is considered responsible for abstract reasoning, planning, and problem solving (see Goldstein, 1936; Halstead, 1947). Such complex, high-level characterizations of metacognition do not lend themselves easily to contributions of specific cognitive (or brain) components that mediate performance on metacognitive tasks. As such ~ Anonymous

Everybody is fighting a hard battle that you know nothing about, never give up with yours. ~ Auliq Ice

Problem-solving leaders have one thing in common: a faith that there's always a better way. ~ Gerald M. Weinberg

Love begets wisdom, thus it is, as often misconceived, more than vain layers of tenderness; it is inherently rational and comprehensive of the problem within the problem: for instance, envy is one of the most excused sins in the media of political correctness. Those you find most attractive, or seem to have it all, are often some of the most insecure at heart, and that is because people assume that they do not need anything but defamation. ~ Criss Jami

In the popular image, a problem-solving leader is a solitary genius, but the true leader prefers to produce a success. ~ Gerald M. Weinberg

They could address everything else and still not solve the problem. He was always proud of her when she said that. A liberal arts background was a hard thing to overcome, but she was doing great. ~ James S.A. Corey

If we parents accept that problems are an essential part of life's challenges, rather than reacting to every problem as if something has gone wrong with the universe that's supposed to be perfect, we can demonstrate serenity and confidence in problem solving for our kids.By telling them that we know they have a problem and we know they can solve it, we can pass on a realistic attitude as well as empower our children with self-confidence and a sense of their own worth. ~ Barbara Coloroso

There are three ways to face a problem
a) complain about it
b) make use of it for personal gains
c) offer a solution ~ Gayatri Gadre

Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them. ~ Lou Holtz

To be an enduring, great company, you have to build a mechanism for preventing or solving problems that will long outlast any one individual leader. ~ Howard Schultz

I now know that I learn by solving problems as they arise. Rarely do we learn significant lessons, or significantly improve, any other way. ~ Bob Parsons

Go right to the solution so that there won't be a problem.
-Colette ~ Colette Parrino

The funnel-shaped devices are tremie tubes, which are apparently being used to avoid having the wet concrete free fall into the forms where the 4-cubic-yard buckets could not fit to pour directly. ~ Ray Bottenberg

Anxiously, he touched the lump on his head again, then felt his injured leg, groaning. "The whole affair is a mystery to me," he said. "Who would want to steal anything from me?"
"Perhaps a thief ... ?" ventured Julius. ~ Henry Winterfeld

Life isn't about living without problems. Life is about solving problems. ~ Tom Krause

You can want, wish, and dream all day,
but those that prepare, work, learn, practice, and problem-solve
are the ones that find success in sports, business, music, or whatever.
Back up what you want with doing the work it takes to get it. ~ Loren Weisman

It is my proposition that the human race has become a collective problem-solving machine and it solves problems by changing its ways. It ~ Matt Ridley

I enjoyed biology in high school, and that brought me to a research lab at U.C. Santa Barbara. I loved doing experiments, and I had fun with them. I realized this kind of problem-solving fit my intellectual style. ~ Carol W. Greider

You know," Naomi said, "if you're looking at hundreds of people burning to death as a problem solving itself, that may be more evidence that you're on wrong side. ~ James S.A. Corey

Think outside the square. Think for yourself don't just follow the herd. Think multidisciplinary! Problems by definition, cross many academic disciplines. ~ Lucas Remmerswaal

I'm a doctor; we work in teams. I'm very committed to problem solving. ~ Raul Ruiz

It's strange how necessary it is to have problems to be able to prepare for avoiding future disasters. ~ Pawan Mishra

When you gain certainty about a problem, the problem is gone. ~ Meir Ezra

life is a continuous exercise is creative problem solving ~ Michael J. Gelb

You need to study other people's work. Their approaches to problem solving and the tools they use give you a fresh way to look at your own work. ~ Gary Kildall

Woodworking requires a completely different kind of thinking and problem-solving ability than writing. With writing, you take a set of facts and ideas, and you reason your way forward to a story that pulls them together. With woodworking, you start with an end product in mind, and reason your way backward to the raw wood. ~ Joshua Foer

Why would I what?" Will asked, wanting another bite of his burger. "Why would you risk your job teaching some stupid fantasy book?" "Because alternative universe literature promotes critical thinking, imagination, empathy, and creative problem solving. Children who are fluent in fiction are more able to interpret nonfiction and are better at understanding things like basic cause and effect, sociology, politics, and the impact of historical events on current events. Many of our technological advances were imagined by science fiction writers before the tech became available to create them, and many of today's inventors were inspired by science fiction and fantasy to make a world more like the world in the story. Many of today's political conundrums were anticipated by science fiction writers like Orwell, Huxley, and Heinlein, and sci-fi and fantasy tackle ethical problems in a way that allows people to analyze the problem with some emotional remove, which is important because the high emotions are often what lead to violence. Works like Harry Potter tackle the idea of abuse of power and - " Will stopped himself and swallowed. Everybody at the table, including Kenny, was staring at him in openmouthed surprise. "Anyway," he said before taking a monster bite of his cooling hamburger on a sudden attack of nerves, "iss goomfer umf." "It's good for us," Kenny translated, sounding a little stunned ~ Amy Lane

The first step is always to succeed in becoming surprised - to notice that there is something funny going on. ~ David Gelernter

If we are going to live with our deepest differences then we must learn about one another. ~ Deborah J. Levine

It is useless to fight fire with fire. When you're offended, it is instinctive to want to fight back in anger. ~ Auliq Ice

Truth is not always about pragmatic problem solving and making things "work," but about reconciling contradictions. Just because something might have some dire effects does not mean it is not true or even good. Just because something pleases people does not make it true either. ~ Richard Rohr

Nothing is easier than yesterday's solutions. ~ Roger Sperry

I have a lot of appreciation for what people do in front of the camera as well as behind the camera. I don't think I could like one without the other. Eventually, I think the road will lead me down to producing or directing, because it's more about problem solving. ~ Masi Oka

Sometimes letting go is the best solution ~ Mahsati Abdul

Permaculture is not the movement of sustainability and it is not the philosophy behind it; it is the problem-solving approach the movement and the philosophy can use to meet their goals and design a world in which human needs are met while enhancing the health of this miraculous planet that supports us. ~ Toby Hemenway

The person who causes a problem may be the best person to solve it. ~ Steven Redhead

Go, get some work. Keeping yourselves busy could solve many problems. ~ Giridhar Alwar

If the door is locked, try the window. ~ Lynn Caine

Develop solutions using biblical principles to help solve the problems of the people ~ Sunday Adelaja

People put problems in front of me, I solve them ~ Kirsten Beyer

Most people define learning too narrowly as mere 'problem-solving', so they focus on identifying and correcting errors in the external environment. Solving problems is important. But if learning is to persist, managers and employees must also look inward. The need to reflect critically on their own behaviour, identify the ways they often inadvertently contribute to the organisation's problems, and then change how they act. ~ Chris Argyris

Metaphor is one of a group of problem-solving medicines known as figures of speech which are normally used to treat literal thinking and other diseases. ~ Grant Morrison

There is no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution ~ Betty Williams

There is no hidden meaning to life ... looking for one is our problem solving brain chasing its tail ~ Alan Alda

Advertising is far more than just a communications industry. It's a problem-solving industry that also teaches you about life, how it encourages you to focus your thinking and produce something of genuine value. Why? Because that will make the advertising task so much easier. You're not equipped with a unique set of insights and experiences across a broad range of markets, allowing you to bring clarity and inspiration to anything you wish to produce. ~ John Hegarty

Nothing – I repeat – nothing can become so big an obstruction in your path that you cannot overcome it, for your brain is the most divine and most godly Turing Machine of all times, capable of deeds that humanity is yet to encounter. ~ Abhijit Naskar

How is it that Asians and Westerners can look at the same classroom interactions and one group will label it class participation and the other talking nonsense? The Chinese emphasize deeper attributes focusing on moral virtues and achievement. Another study asked Asian-Americans and European-Americans to think out loud while solving reasoning problems, and found that the Asians did much better when they were allowed to be quiet, compared to the Caucasians, who performed well when vocalizing their problem solving. These results would not surprise anyone familiar with traditional Asian attitudes to the spoke word: Talk is for communicating need to know information; quiet and introspection are signs of deep thought and higher truth. ~ Susan Cain

With the magnitude of the challenges we face right now, what we need in Washington are not more political tactics
we need more good ideas. We don't need more point-scoring
we need more problem-solving. ~ Barack Obama

Always prepare secondary ways of dealing with problems. ~ Frank Herbert

I don't have any solution, but I certainly admire the problem. ~ Ashleigh Brilliant

Cultural expectations shade and color the images that parents-to-be form. The baby product ads, showing a woman serenely holding her child, looking blissfully and mysteriously contented, or the television parents, wisely and humorously solving problems, influence parents-to-be. ~ Ellen Galinsky

Imperfect knowledge, incomplete assessment of feedback, limited memory and recall, as well as poor problem-solving skills result in a form of rationality that attains not optimal decisions but more or less satisfactory compromises between conflicting constraints. ~ Manuel De Landa

Let me go out on a limb and suggest that those who see hints of a new class ideology developing around information technology are not necessarily wild-eyed. "Bit-twiddlers" are neither exactly proletariat nor bourgeoisie. They may not own the means of production in the sense that Marx argued, but they certainly do have significantly control over those means, in a more profound way than the term "symbols analysts" or "knowledge workers" captures. As a rough generalization, they value science and technological problem-solving elegance equally at least with profit. ~ Steven Weber

Active Listening provides parents with a way of moving in and offering to help the child define the problem for herself, and starting up the process of problem-solving within the child. ~ Thomas Gordon

a problem well put is half solved. ~ John Dewey

Our ability to solve problem is limited by our conception of what is feasible. ~ Russell L. Ackoff

The people who blame everything and every body else for their lack of success, tended to continue to have a lack of success.
Your Proactive, problem solving minded, assertive and responsible approach is going to carry you much further than whining, blaming, pointing fingers and justifying your failures. ~ Loren Weisman

I know how to work a problem. Frustration is the enemy. It makes you do stupid things. So you don't let it beat you. Instead you search for landmarks, look for signs. The task takes every single bit of me I have left. It's good, this task, because it keeps my mind focused. ~ Carolyn Lee Adams

If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions. ~ Albert Einstein

The monk solved his immediate problem by giving a little whimper and fainting. ~ Terry Pratchett