Life does not always offer a solution to every problem we experience. If you're stuck with a problem, sometimes all you need is a little creativity to escape it. Being a versatile person means being able to overcome the problems experienced and achieve as much success as possible with as few tools as possible. Here are some general suggestions for becoming an all-rounder.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Developing Skills
Step 1. Keep an open mind
Rethink what is possible and what is not. You have unique talents that you can use to achieve various goals today. Considering new possibilities is critical to taking action that leads to success.
- Being open-minded means being willing to find value in every person, event, and thing you come across. Accept possibilities, opportunities, people, views, suggestions, and experiences. Realize that you can learn from things that are new or different. By thinking outside the box, you will come up with innovative solutions to problems that others would normally consider dead ends.
- Say, “Yes, I can do this,” and push yourself to do things that other people think are impossible. This is what makes people achieve success while others around them give up on their dreams.
- Get out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons. If you've never traveled abroad, tried a certain food, learned a foreign language, wrote a book, or skydive, then do it. You will find something in the process, and that something will make your life better and help you deal with problems.
Step 2. Be confident
You can handle any problem. Everything you need to solve the problem is at hand, that is yourself! Realizing that you are competent and capable enough to do something is the first step to getting that thing done.
- Confidence means that you like and believe in yourself. Appreciate your talents, abilities, and positive qualities. Know that you can solve any problem and find a solution to every challenge.
- Visualize yourself as a successful person, every day. When faced with adversity, imagine yourself conquering it. Also imagine yourself achieving your goals and celebrating those successes.
- Accept the praise and appreciation that comes. Know that you deserve it.
- Keep a diary of his successes. Write down your successes every day. These notes will soon fill the pages of the book and you will see how much success you have achieved. This is very useful for helping yourself realize that you deserve to be confident.
Step 3. Be creative
Versatile means optimizing what is there. Creativity is not just creating something new, but also making something that already exists function to achieve better results/goals. Think wild and practical possibilities. One of those ideas might be the inspiration for a solution that will come in handy.
- Imagine how an experienced repairman can do amazing things with used parts and a little original creative idea. The repairman may not follow all the rules in the manual, but manages to diagnose the problem based on the symptoms present, and determine which of the existing tools and components can be useful in solving the problem. Be like this workshop worker in your own situation.
- Let your mind wander. Don't stop yourself thinking about something just because you think it's irrelevant. Often, your mind will jump from one idea to another, then to another. At one of these ideas that pop up, you might get an "Aha!" or enlightenment.
Step 4. Be proactive
Don't bury your dreams waiting for the right person or the right situation to arise. If you allow the situation to dictate when and how you act, you will surely receive the bare minimum every time. When the opportunity comes, do your best to seize it. Don't think so much or make excuses that the opportunity is lost.
- Don't just be an idle observer. Get involved and participate actively. Being proactive means taking the initiative so that you are part of the solution.
- Don't just react to events, people, challenges, and information. Get more involved and make an impact on them so you can make a real contribution to the situation at hand.
Step 5. Persevere
If you stop trying before the problem is solved, you will achieve nothing. Try again, dozens or even hundreds of times, in different ways, if necessary. Do not give up.
- Think of the things that drive your motivation. Determine why you want to achieve something and use that knowledge as fuel to complete your journey.
- Develop personal discipline. Many things will hinder your struggle to achieve the goal. If you practice personal discipline and stick to the habit of doing everything that has to be done even when you have to face obstacles, you will succeed in achieving your goals.
- Never assume that not succeeding means failure. Think of it as mere practice.
Step 6. Be positive
There is always a solution to almost every problem. Look at the positive side of every situation. If you manage to develop this right attitude of self, finding solutions will become easier.
- Think of times when you were faced with a crisis or adversity, and the success stories that emerged after those difficult times. Realize that you have made it through. This is the attitude that all-rounders have, especially in difficult times.
- Remember that every time you conquer a problem, you become a superior and stronger person. Experience teaches us things that we can teach back to others who are in need of encouragement.
- Develop yourself. Learn new things, and try to keep up with the times in your environment. Even though you may have become a successful person, learning does not stop and must continue to enrich your life. In addition, learn to accept and encourage others as well.
- Recognize your weaknesses and fears. So, you can try to overcome both. If you want to improve a skill (for example, mastering math, or becoming more assertive, or being able to throw and catch a baseball), consider concrete actions you can take to achieve it. For example, signing up for extra lessons to improve your math comprehension, or buying a book on how to be more assertive, or taking additional sports training and asking a more athletic friend to help you improve your sport.
Part 2 of 4: Anticipating Problems
Step 1. Get ready
You can't anticipate everything, but you can predict many problems. The more prepared you are before the time comes, the more versatile you will be when dealing with a problem.
- Get your tool bag ready and learn how to use it. The more tools you have at your disposal when faced with challenges, the more versatile you will become. This tool bag can take many forms depending on your situation, from a real tool bag, or small purse, survival pack, workshop, kitchen, fully equipped pickup, or even a set of camping tools that you specifically choose. Learn how to use each tool. Next, make sure that the tool bag is always ready to use when needed.
- Practice at home. If you don't know how to change tires, practice in your own garage before you have to do it on a dark, rainy street tens of kilometers from home. Learn how to pitch a tent and practice in the backyard first, or spend a day camping to get used to your camping gear. Always update your tools and skills before you have to use them when needed.
- Anticipate similar problems and prevent them before they become problems. If you're worried about forgetting your keys and not being able to get into your own house, keep a spare key in a hidden place in the backyard. Attach your keys to a large, eye-catching key ring so you don't forget to take them with you. Coordinate these precautions with everyone who is in and out of your home, so you don't have to be locked out due to someone else's negligence.
- Practice an all-around attitude before trouble comes. Try cooking a dish with ingredients you have in your kitchen without having to buy new ingredients from the market or store. Make your own objects or things you need without having to buy them. You need to practice making and creating things yourself, even if they are available and ready to be purchased and used.
Step 2. Manage your time
Life is made up of time, and time is a finite resource. If you have time, use it for something productive. Make sure that every moment is worthwhile and useful for the achievement of your ultimate goals.
- Depending on the situation you need to work on, you may have to work longer hours, ask for extra time, make a time commitment to someone else, or implement temporary arrangements so you can develop something more permanent.
- Minimize distractions and interruptions. If the things that can hinder the achievement of these goals can be controlled, you must limit them. There is a time to work, and a time to have fun. Remember to do both and focus on what you are doing at the moment. Don't take phone calls or chat while working. Turn off the television. Likewise, don't let the pressures of work interfere with your leisure time with your family.
- Remember to be patient. Time is important, but some things do take time to happen. Ask others to be patient too.
Step 3. Communicate to others
Decide if there is someone you can contact who knows the answer, can help with the problem or at least provide support to you, before the problem arises. Talk about possibilities before problems arise. Imagine possible scenarios together with knowledgeable and experienced people, then think of possible solutions with limited resources.
- Human contact can be a tool before problems arise. Networking, both formally and informally, is one way to create your toolkit.
- If possible, offer to help others before you need to ask for help yourself. Get involved with other people and get to know them sincerely, then help them when they need help. This will increase your chances of being helped by others yourself.
Step 4. Earn money
Money is a valuable asset in many situations. If you don't have money but need it, being versatile also means thinking about creative ways to make money. However, also consider solving problems without using money.
- Get money from other people. Offer to do something in return, so that you get money from someone else. You can also do a fundraiser if you are trying to raise money for a good and important cause.
- Work. Making money on a regular basis is important as a stable source for you to collect tools for yourself. Observe your various skills and seek information to use them in the process of applying for jobs available around you. Browse websites like Qerja.com or LinkedIn and look for jobs that match your qualifications. Also, study the job advertisements section in local newspapers. If you want a job or position at a particular company, visit its website or office to inquire about available positions.
- Continue your education. This may be a longer road to making money, but if your ultimate goal is to earn a higher income, this is the best option for you.
Part 3 of 4: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Evaluate the existing situation
When challenging situations arise, try to think clearly and understand the problem as best you can. Indeed, we tend to get carried away easily by emotions, constantly exaggerating problems, and losing focus on solutions. Once you have determined the real problem, you will be able to devise a plan to remedy the situation.
- Think about the problem. How bad is the problem? Is this really a crisis or just an inconvenience or a setback? Should this problem be addressed immediately, or should you wait until you find a more appropriate solution? The more critical the situation, the more creative you will have to think and act.
- Ask yourself about the nature or characteristics of the problem. What is really needed in that problem? For example, do you have to unlock the door, or do you need to get in/out? These are two separate problems, as the latter can be solved by going through a window, climbing a wall, breaking through a fence, turning around using a back ramp, or releasing a lock on a door. To do the way you choose, do you need access, or can you get your needs from other sources/places?
- Do not panic. Pressure is a good motivator, but don't let it fill your mind. Think about why you shouldn't just give up on the problem, and that thought will be a great motivator to keep you going until you succeed.
- Finding solutions to problems is better than just worrying. This can be learned by training your mind to focus on the solution whenever you start to feel worried. Calm down first and think clearly before taking any action.
Step 2. Know what you can take advantage of
Being a versatile person is primarily about being smart and finding creative ways to use the various tools at your disposal. Do you have access to or can you get anything that would be useful in that situation? Don't forget that these tools don't necessarily have to be objects, but also skills, other people, or emotional states.
Try working backwards. List any tools you already have, including objects, resources, knowledge, people, and opportunities. Then, think about how you can use the tool to solve the problem
Step 3. Set your goals
Versatile people are always looking for new challenges to conquer, new goals to achieve, and new dreams to fulfill. Small daily goals should be in line with your bigger dreams. Over time, you will move closer and closer to the realization of that dream.
- Remember that every day is an opportunity for you to make an impact on the life you want in the end.
- Remember, too, that you need to be happy with your current life and be aware of the progress you are making. Your life today is important because no one knows what will happen tomorrow. Keep your eyes focused on your goals and dreams for the future, but still enjoy your life right now and in this situation.
- Start small. Everyone starts from a starting point, no matter how small that point. Small results will grow bigger with time and continued effort. If your need is money, save from what you have now as often as possible. Even the smallest contribution if done regularly will make a big difference later, for example next year.
- Continue to completion. You will never know the result if you do not continue the process to completion.
Step 4. Choose specifically
Thinking about the big picture will give you the right perspective, but sometimes you also have to focus on the details or the small steps. Determine what you can do in the short term so you can take action and be more productive. Fix specific details of the tasks, roles, and responsibilities that need to be done in order to achieve a goal, such as modesty, saving, or taking risks.
- Gather information. Has anyone else had a similar problem before? How does the thing you're dealing with (that system or situation) work/work? Which path should you take from this point? Who can you contact, and how do you contact them? What steps do you need to take to make a fire?
- Doing research and reading is very useful. Staying aware of important events and information can prove useful in the future. Focus on what you find interesting or useful and find how it relates to the topic or idea at hand, so you can understand and master it.
- Manage your tools. Understand the difference between seeking help and being an all rounder. If you get the tools and resources you need, things will usually work out too. However, being the all-rounder means you take advantage of the tools that you do have to their optimal use.
- Realize that you don't know everything yet. Prepare yourself to learn from others, even if it is possible from others who you think are less knowledgeable/narrower than yourself.
Part 4 of 4: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Break the rules, if necessary
If necessary, use various tools in unconventional ways and do things in a way that goes against the rules or norms that most people are accustomed to. However, be prepared to take responsibility, correct mistakes, and explain your reasons if you do go beyond certain boundaries. Rules are made for a reason, but sometimes rules and traditions can hinder progress. Reach for your achievements, and don't just follow the habits that have been there since before.
Never regret or apologize for your success. The trick is to make sure that any deviation is less significant than the result achieved. It's true sometimes you have to apologize, but this only applies to mistakes that really hurt or harmed the other person
Step 2. Improvise
Don't lock yourself up in a certain way of thinking. Use all your power to come up with a temporary solution, then work on a permanent solution. Repair your bike only so that it can be used to return home, then have it completely repaired later.
- Experiment. Trial and failure may take some time, but if you have absolutely no experience with certain situations, this is a good way to start. At least, you will understand things or ways that will not work later.
- Adapt. Solutions do not appear as rigid, standard guidelines. Look for examples for inspiration, but make sure that your solution is appropriate for your situation. Turn challenges into advantages.
- Don't be afraid to use things in unusual ways. Wire hangers are actually very flexible and even a screwdriver can actually be used for carving, prying, pounding, scraping, etc.
- Don't forget the value of things that cannot be measured. Sunlight, Earth's gravity, and goodwill can be very useful to you and may even be used to your advantage.
Step 3. Take advantage of the situation
There is a negative side and a positive side to all situations. Try not to focus on what was wrong or bad in the situation. Find the bright side and the things you can do right now with positive aspects.
- If you miss your bus and the next one isn't there until an hour later, can't you enjoy a cup of coffee or browse at the nearest store while you wait? If the weather is too cold and snowy, can you use a mound of snow or ice as shelter or building material?
- If you are afraid, use that fear to motivate you. This will encourage you to get out of the scary situation. Channel that energy into thinking of solutions and taking action. Emotions can be a powerful incentive to do things better and more efficiently, so use them wisely.
Step 4. Act quickly
Often, the effective solution lies in a quick response. Make decisions quickly, and immediately after, don't overanalyze, just do it. You will not be able to solve the problem without taking some action first.
- Don't forget that not making decisions will cost you, whether it's a decrease in income or income, a tarnished reputation, or problems in your career. An email inbox and an empty workbench without piles of unhandled emails or unfinished work are signs of quick decision-making and action. When obstacles arise, deal with them immediately and don't let them drag on.
- Making decisions quickly in small matters is very beneficial. Not only does this help you stay ahead of any situation that comes next, it also reduces stress, increases productivity, and builds your reputation for managing work. Let these positive aspects of quick decision-making be the impetus for you to do whatever you need to do right now.
- Just start. Postponing what you know needs to be done is not conducive to goal achievement. Take the first step by starting to act as needed to complete the task at hand. Then, move on to the next step.
Step 5. Learn from your mistakes
If you have to rush through the trouble of solving a problem, take steps to prevent it from happening again. If your method doesn't work, try another method next time. Observe what went wrong and learn from that understanding.
Do it several ways at once. Realize that sometimes your plans don't work. Use multiple points of view for the same problem. Have some backup plans in place
Step 6. Ask for help
Identify times when you need help to reach your goals. Just swallow your pride and find someone who can help you in that matter. The more you show others that helping you means helping yourself reach your goals, the more likely you are to succeed in getting help.
- Whether you need money for a bus ride home, good ideas, moral support, a borrowed cell phone, or even some practical help, get people involved whenever possible. While this means that you may seek help from people you don't know, the results can be surprising and pleasant.
- Discussing together can lead to great combined solutions. Invite people you know and trust. Seek professional help. If appropriate, discuss with the authorities (eg officials, employees, lecturers, receptionists), as these people usually have access to other additional resources.
- If one or two people aren't enough, see if you can form a work team or task force. Can you persuade the city government or other competent organization to take your problem further?
Tips
- Don't dwell on the past. If the root of the problem is something you can't change, just try to solve it as best you can.
- If you have already performed an emergency solution to a problem, be sure to perform a complete solution to the problem afterwards.
Warning
- Make sure that you understand what you are doing. Otherwise, you could just cause new problems.
- In a truly emergency situation (which threatens life or endangers certain property in an instant), usually the best thing you can do is to contact the appropriate authorities in their field, and provide the information that party needs and then let them work on the problem at hand..
