How to Use Psychological Distance to Become a Better Problem Solver

However, problem solving isn’t necessarily the same as thinking logically. Instead, it requires taking a step back from the problem itself and attempting to think outside the box, something that cannot always be done pragmatically. That’s why the skill of problem solving is so valuable to your personal development. It’s a tool for personal growth, and it acts as a meta skill that helps you deal with everything life throws your way.

Whether you’re looking for a way to establish your business or brand, or just growing personally, being a strong problem solver can help you in many ways, including:

•  Successfully guiding your life or your business down the path you want, independently of the roadblocks that confront you
• Identifying problems you couldn’t see before due to a different life perspective
•  Spending more time on developing solutions rather than worrying about them
•  Adding an extra layer of creativity to your way of thinking

1. Sit in a calm, relaxed place.

2. Think about the first problem you want to solve in your life.

3. Once you can clearly identify the problem, imagine that the problem is happening to a friend of yours, not to you.

4. Take detailed notes on the advice you would give your friend in solving the problem.

5. Then take the same problem and imagine it’s happening to you, but rather than it happening now, envision it happening to you one year from today.

6. Take detailed notes on how you would prepare to solve the problem step-by-step in advance.

Because of a little-known phenomenon called psychological distance. Psychological distance refers to how near or far we perceive ourselves to be to a given event or subject. When you think of a problem happening to your friend, not yourself, you’re injecting psychological distance into that situation; when you think of a problem happening next year instead of today, you’re doing the same. For more questions, follow me here or reach me instantly.

The great thing about psychological distance is that it turns you into a much more clear thinker: rather than getting caught up in the emotions of the problem that’s plaguing you, you focus on solutions instead. Countless studies have shown the benefits of psychological distance in changing perspective and solving difficult problems, so it’s time for you to start capitalizing on it, too.