Ways Of Thinking About Tough Or Challenging Situations

To use this tool, take a large sheet of paper and write down at the top of the paper the situation/problem that you are facing. Review what you have written. How clear is the statement you have written?

Next, divide the rest of the paper into six boxes and label each section with a question, as illustrated below.

What are my emotions about this situation/problem?	What are the difficulties and risks I can see in this situation/problem?
What are the possibilities and constructive opportunities?	What creative alternatives can I generate to address this situation/problem?
What factual information do I have about this situation/ problem?	What is my overall purpose and what needs to be done?

Then write down your thoughts against each of these questions. Now stand back and ask yourself the following questions: What is this telling me about the situation/problem I am facing and how I am responding? What might I do next about what I have discovered? When used in group contexts, this tool can help to unlock team members through providing a way of building shared understanding.