Success Advice
6 Awesome Ways to Enhance Your Problem-Solving Skills
Being able to solve problems is one of the greatest skills that an entrepreneur can have. But what if your brainstorming sessions lack that certain spark? Or what if your problems are piling up with no viable solutions in sight?
If you’re wondering how to improve your problem solving skills, here are just six techniques that should do the trick:
1. Listen to music
Studies have been mixed on whether or not music can help you with complex cognitive processing. If you need to pull yourself out of an unproductive funk, however, music is even better than a grappling hook. It will lower your blood pressure, regulate your heartbeat and release feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine.
In short, it’ll have such a positive impact on your psychological state that it’ll act as a cleanser for stress and anxiety. Once you’ve pushed aside these negative emotions, your brain is free to focus on your problems without distraction.
2. Encourage shower thoughts
Have you ever wondered why your best thoughts always come in the shower? It’s because you aren’t thinking so hard. Your mind is free to wander down distant and unconventional paths that you’d normally reject, so you’re able to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to difficult problems because you aren’t burdened with the constraints of your rational mind.
The good news is that you don’t have to be in the shower to unlock this potential. You can exercise, meditate, go for a walk, listen to music or just sit on a park bench and let your thoughts drift. What you’re physically doing is less important than the fact that you’re mentally free.
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates
3. Pretend it’s opposite day
Lateral thinking is a much-touted process in the business world, but if you’re a more deliberate, strategic sort, it can be difficult to train yourself to think in lateral ways. One solution is to approach your problem from the complete opposite point of view. Here are a few examples:
- If you’re trying to figure out the cheapest way to do something, figure out the most expensive way to do it instead.
- If you want to make something smaller, think about how to make it bigger.
- If you want to retain customers, brainstorm methods that would actually drive them away.
By focusing on the negative mirror of a problem, you can force yourself to consider new perspectives and break out of your cognitive rut. Try it! It costs nothing, and it might just fix your troubles.
4. Play complex puzzle games
Multiple studies have shown that games are good for you. From improving your memory to increasing your attention span; games of all types have been associated with positive cognitive benefits. But did you know that puzzle games in particular are helpful to your problem-solving skills?
In a study by Nanyang Technological University, different groups of participants were given different types of games to play for an hour each day. The “complex puzzle” games were shown to improve executive function more than any other kind. If you’re looking to stimulate your brain with the maximum amount of results, try something like a crossword or serpent cube puzzle.
“A sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on.” – C.S. Lewis
5. Use props
Consider your last brainstorming session. Did it involve lots of pens, notepads and binders? Was there anything more creative on the table than a traditional paper product? If you keep using the same tools, you can’t be surprised that you always come to the same solutions. Try something a little different with your next group strategy session.
Use photos, toys, trinkets and other knick-knacks to inspire your imagination and get some new ideas flowing. It’s an unconventional solution for the problem of how to improve problem solving skills, but it’s a highly effective one.
6. Track your epiphanies
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably had your fair share of “eureka” moments. Don’t let yourself be talked out of them by skeptical investors or colleagues. According to research by Scientific American, sudden epiphanies have a better track record for accuracy and relevance than ideas that come through deliberate analysis.
This is because of the “all or nothing” way that the brain produces ideas and solutions, and it’s supported by research done with EEG and MRI scans. If you’re trying to figure out a difficult problem, it’s worth your while to write down all of your “aha” moments. They might just contain the key to cracking the entire code.
These are just a few ways to improve problem solving skills. There are many more, of course, but these should be enough to kick-start your creativity and invigorate your cognitive processes. Don’t be afraid to use these ideas as a springboard for further greatness, either. If your imagination wants to take you on a journey, your best bet is to buckle up and enjoy the ride.
How have you enhanced your problem solving skills? Leave your thoughts below!
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Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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