[form] Eight Step Solution Refer to "Choose to be Happy" for a fuller reference to this approach to an Action Plan Step 1: Spell out the problem State the problem in concrete terms. What exactly is happening that you don't like? Be specific: NOT: I have bad habits BUT: I can't seem to stop smoking NOT: Work's bad BUT: There's too much to do NOT: I'm lonely BUT: I'm afraid to commit myself to a long-term relationship NOT: Things aren't right at home BUT: We don't spend enough time together as a family [textarea,spellout,5,70] In addition, break the problem down into its various parts. This will help you see it more clearly and work on it in small chunks. Don't just say,"I can't cope." but "In exactly what ways am I not coping?". Step 2: Set Specific Goals Set yourself a direction to go in by expressing your problems in terms of goals. Make these as specific as possible. [textarea,specificgoals,5,70] Step 3: Think up alternative solution strategies Drawn up a range of strategies to achieve your goals. Use the brainstorming procedure: Write down every possible solution you can think of, no matter how way-out any of them may seem. The idea is to generate the greatest number of options you can Don't criticise any of your solutions or attempt to analyse how workable they are: at this stage, just go for quantity. [textarea,alternatives,5,70] Step 4: Decide which strategies to pursue Examine carefully all the options you have written down; then decide which ones you will use. Ask three key questions: 1. What are the likely consequences of each course of action - both negative and positive? - for myself and significant others? - both long and short term? 2. How does each fit with my personal value system? 3. How useful would it be in helping me achieve the goal I have set? The idea is to select those strategies which are most likely to help you achieve your goals while avoiding undesirable consequences. Start by culling any unsuitable options. Options that appear viable [textarea,strategies,5,70] A single strategy may be enough with which to achieve a goal, but often you will need to follow several courses of action before you feel satisfied. Sometimes there may be no suitable option. In situations like this, you will do best to work out what would be the Least Unsatisfactory option. It is not practical to look for the ideal, because there isn't one. Step 5 Identify any blocks to your strategies Are there any things which might get in the way of the strategies you have chosen? Identify them now, then you can take them into account when it is time to act. My Possible blocks [textarea,blocks,5,70] Step 6 Think up specific tactics By now you will have selected one or more strategies for achieving your goal. View the successful employment of each strategy as a sub-goal. It is now time to come up with some tactics - that is, specific ways of achieving your sub-goals. In other words, think what you are actually going to do. Once again, use the brainstorming method as described in Step 3. Go for the maximum quantity of ideas without, at this stage considering their quality. My specific tactics [textarea,tactics,5,70] Step 7 Select your tactics Select the tactics to put into action. Guide your selection with similar questions as in Step 4. What are the likely consequences of each one? How does each fit with my personal value system? Will it be useful in enacting the strategy concerned? Ask also, will this tactic get around the potential blocks I have identified? My selected tactics [textarea,tacticssel,5,70] Step 8 Put your tactics into practice and observe the results Now put the tactics you have chosen to the test. If you don't get the results you want, don't give up. Just go back to an earlier stage of the process and start again from that point. This was my result [textarea,results,5,70] Any other comments? [textarea,comments,3,60] [submit,SEND this Entry][reset,Start Over again] [/form]