Improve Problem Solving by Building Resilience

Solving problems is at the heart of what HVAC & Refrigeration technicians do every day. It’s not always easy: often you have to fail a few times before you discover the right solution. One way to improve your problem solving skills is by increasing your resilience, or capacity to stick with a difficult problem and keep trying until you get it right.  

It may seem that some people are just naturally more resilient than others. But the fact is, there are many ways you can build this skill to improve problem solving and become a better technician (and more successful in your life). 

Here’s how.

7 ways to build resilience & improve problem solving skills 

1. Break down tasks

When a time-consuming or complex problem begins to frustrate you, it can help to break it down into smaller steps. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete each smaller task, and you’ll be one step closer to your goal. That can help you keep going when you face adversity.

2. Practice paying attention 

Make a habit of becoming mindful, or keenly aware of what’s happening around you. When you are alert and attentive, you’ll notice more clues that help you solve problems faster and more accurately. Meditation and mindfulness training can help you hone this ability. Once you develop it, you’ll gain both confidence and more competence in your ability to tackle challenging repair issues.

3. Build a support system

As a technician, you need both people and resources that can support you when you’re in over your head. (And that can happen throughout your career, not just as a newbie.) Make sure you have someone more experienced who can talk you through unfamiliar situations. It’s also helpful to have someone who believes in you to talk to when you’re frustrated. They can sometimes help you see things in a different way. It’s also smart to have online industry resources that you can turn to for answers when you’re stuck.

When you have a support system behind you, that can give you the confidence to tackle more challenging problems and see them through to completion.

4. Learn from mistakes

When you make a mistake on a repair or fail to find the correct diagnosis for a problem, always use that as an opportunity to learn. Seek out a more experienced technician to find out what you did wrong or what you missed, and how to do it correctly next time. Instead of embarrassment, you end up with increased confidence and knowledge that you can use in the future. 

5. Practice positivity

Having a positive outlook can make a big difference in your ability to solve problems. You can build this quality by intentionally taking a few minutes to think about positive things every day. Whenever there’s a negative, think of something positive about the situation. When that thought process becomes a habit, you’ll think the same way when you face a difficult work problem, and that helps you avoid giving up too soon.

6. Look for the humor

Humor helps us get through so many challenges in our lives! Use it at work, too. Looking for what’s funny about a challenging situation can lighten your mood and help your coworkers lighten up, too. When you’re laughing instead of angry, you’ll be better able to keep working to find a solution to the problem you’re stuck on.

7. Envision your future

Where do you want to be in 10 years? Think about your goals. Maybe you want to be a master technician that mentors new technicians. Make a habit of envisioning that outcome. When you’re frustrated by a problem you need to solve, you realize this is just one more step to achieving your career goals. Thinking about your goals can give you the resilience you need to keep working at it.

More resources for HVACR technicians

If you found this article helpful, there’s a lot more here to help you build skills and your career as an HVACR technician. 

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.