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285,428 problem solving stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free for download., businesswoman hand touch cube as symbol of problem solving.

Cube Cubic Puzzle Solution Solving Problem Concept

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Young male and female architect colleagues drawing graphic planning of interior creation project cooperating with talented teacher giving advice and correcting mistakes during training lesson

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it is possible

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Overview of the Problem-Solving Mental Process

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

• Identify the Problem
• Define the Problem
• Form a Strategy
• Organize Information
• Allocate Resources
• Monitor Progress
• Evaluate the Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Problem-solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.

The best strategy for solving a problem depends largely on the unique situation. In some cases, people are better off learning everything they can about the issue and then using factual knowledge to come up with a solution. In other instances, creativity and insight are the best options.

It is not necessary to follow problem-solving steps sequentially, It is common to skip steps or even go back through steps multiple times until the desired solution is reached.

In order to correctly solve a problem, it is often important to follow a series of steps. Researchers sometimes refer to this as the problem-solving cycle. While this cycle is portrayed sequentially, people rarely follow a rigid series of steps to find a solution.

The following steps include developing strategies and organizing knowledge.

1. Identifying the Problem

While it may seem like an obvious step, identifying the problem is not always as simple as it sounds. In some cases, people might mistakenly identify the wrong source of a problem, which will make attempts to solve it inefficient or even useless.

Some strategies that you might use to figure out the source of a problem include :

• Asking questions about the problem
• Breaking the problem down into smaller pieces
• Looking at the problem from different perspectives
• Conducting research to figure out what relationships exist between different variables

2. Defining the Problem

After the problem has been identified, it is important to fully define the problem so that it can be solved. You can define a problem by operationally defining each aspect of the problem and setting goals for what aspects of the problem you will address

At this point, you should focus on figuring out which aspects of the problems are facts and which are opinions. State the problem clearly and identify the scope of the solution.

3. Forming a Strategy

After the problem has been identified, it is time to start brainstorming potential solutions. This step usually involves generating as many ideas as possible without judging their quality. Once several possibilities have been generated, they can be evaluated and narrowed down.

The next step is to develop a strategy to solve the problem. The approach used will vary depending upon the situation and the individual's unique preferences. Common problem-solving strategies include heuristics and algorithms.

• Heuristics are mental shortcuts that are often based on solutions that have worked in the past. They can work well if the problem is similar to something you have encountered before and are often the best choice if you need a fast solution.
• Algorithms are step-by-step strategies that are guaranteed to produce a correct result. While this approach is great for accuracy, it can also consume time and resources.

Heuristics are often best used when time is of the essence, while algorithms are a better choice when a decision needs to be as accurate as possible.

4. Organizing Information

Before coming up with a solution, you need to first organize the available information. What do you know about the problem? What do you not know? The more information that is available the better prepared you will be to come up with an accurate solution.

When approaching a problem, it is important to make sure that you have all the data you need. Making a decision without adequate information can lead to biased or inaccurate results.

5. Allocating Resources

Of course, we don't always have unlimited money, time, and other resources to solve a problem. Before you begin to solve a problem, you need to determine how high priority it is.

If it is an important problem, it is probably worth allocating more resources to solving it. If, however, it is a fairly unimportant problem, then you do not want to spend too much of your available resources on coming up with a solution.

At this stage, it is important to consider all of the factors that might affect the problem at hand. This includes looking at the available resources, deadlines that need to be met, and any possible risks involved in each solution. After careful evaluation, a decision can be made about which solution to pursue.

6. Monitoring Progress

After selecting a problem-solving strategy, it is time to put the plan into action and see if it works. This step might involve trying out different solutions to see which one is the most effective.

It is also important to monitor the situation after implementing a solution to ensure that the problem has been solved and that no new problems have arisen as a result of the proposed solution.

Effective problem-solvers tend to monitor their progress as they work towards a solution. If they are not making good progress toward reaching their goal, they will reevaluate their approach or look for new strategies .

7. Evaluating the Results

After a solution has been reached, it is important to evaluate the results to determine if it is the best possible solution to the problem. This evaluation might be immediate, such as checking the results of a math problem to ensure the answer is correct, or it can be delayed, such as evaluating the success of a therapy program after several months of treatment.

Once a problem has been solved, it is important to take some time to reflect on the process that was used and evaluate the results. This will help you to improve your problem-solving skills and become more efficient at solving future problems.

A Word From Verywell​

It is important to remember that there are many different problem-solving processes with different steps, and this is just one example. Problem-solving in real-world situations requires a great deal of resourcefulness, flexibility, resilience, and continuous interaction with the environment.

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29 Problem-Solving Products With Before And After Pics That'll Scare You Enough To Stop Avoiding These Same Problems

Open if you dare — the before and after pics of this toilet are pretty terrifying.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A nail renewal formula  to help improve the appearance of that one discolored toe that you banged extra hard on the cabinet corner and has looked a bit frightening ever since. Been there, done that, wish I would have known about this. 

This stuff will hydrate and exfoliate any brittle, damaged nails, help improve the appearance, anddddd reduce discoloration and thickness leaving you with some dramatic results. IDK about you, but I'm totally here for the drama in this case.

Promising review : “I tried EVERYTHING! I tried tree tea oil for years and various different products. Nothing worked. The reviews were so great on this that I decided to try to cure it one more time. But when you have had a condition for 35 years, you aren’t too hopeful! I followed the suggestions of some of the reviewers and cut my toenails (I only had it on my big toes) everywhere that the fungus was present. I started applying this gel, which is super easy to use. I swear to you that I noticed a difference after one application. ” — WIAPilot  

Get it from Amazon for  $16.78+  (also available with a nail file).

2. A  piercing bump solution  so you can help stop that little bump on your nose piercing that's tripled in size in two weeks from growing annnnyyyy more. Before you totally ditch your new piercing, let this stuff help heal and reduce the size of your keloid! I know, I know, I get 'em too and yes, they can be terrifying to look at. 

This product does not promise to work overnight. Apply this daily 2–3 times a day as long as needed. Be sure to be patient as the healing process takes time!

Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from  Cleveland Clinic .

Oh! BTW, I bought this. Last year I got a dermal piercing on my chest and since literally just about every piercing I've ever gotten has grown a keloid on it, I should have known my dermal would eventually, too. I got the piercing in February of 2023 and around May I noticed a nasty, stubborn little bump making a guest appearance on my piercing. 🙄 I had written about this stuff a few times so the light bulb went off and I immediately bought it. I consistently used it twice a day and it gradually disappeared, literally like magic within a month. Keloids are a serious nightmare and I'm so glad that I found this stuff. I even *accidentally* ripped it out in November and immediately grabbed this to prevent a keloid from forming cuz I just knew it'd get infected. To my surprise, no keloid, nada. You do have to be patient and consistent, this is NOT an overnight miracle but it's worth it. I also suggest that you continue to use it for like another week or two even after your keloid goes away juuust in case it tries to sneak back into your life. I haven't had issues with my piercing since and no more have grown. 

Get it from Amazon for $12.85+  (also available in a multipack).

3. A stain and odor eliminator  for those unfortunate times where your furry friend uh...goes...on your carpet — talk about scary. Works anywhere stains happen! This year, we are NOT spending hours trying to get the awful smell of cat pee out of our carpets — this'll do the trick without all the hard work. 

Check out why this TikToker loves this stuff here .

Promising review: "Initially, I bought this because I’m potty training a puppy and it’s not going great. This product really worked well on my carpets for the dog messes ! However, I’m writing this review because my jerk cat decided one evening that my new comforter was a great potty spot. Thankfully I noticed the mess immediately so I was able to get this product on it immediately as well. I did let it sit overnight to really penetrate the stuffing even tho that isn't in the directions. I was certain the comforter was a goner. I tossed it in the wash the next morning and I am BLOWN AWAY by the lack of smell or stain . Cat urine is so stubborn and it can easily feel overwhelming when trying to eliminate the smell but this product 100% has my support . I’m buying more the second I’m done with this review . I love it." — lexi

Get it from Amazon for  $19.31+  (available in two sizes).

4. A bottle of professional-grade  callus-removing gel  that'll quickly remove all those calluses. Holy guacamole, these results! Mind-blowing and nightmarish. 

Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.

Want to know more? Check out our full Lee Beauty Callus Remover write-up !

Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked . Before I used this, my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again . BUT please follow the directions... left it on my super-dry thick-callused heels for only three minutes and the calluses were literally melting off ! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." — Kiki

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 .

5. And a stainless-steel foot file so you can scrape off any dry, cracked skin, leaving you with salon-quality pedicure feet at home. If you've ever wanted to sell feet pics, here's your sign. But warning, the amount of dead skin that comes off your tootsies will look like the pile of Parmesan cheese you ask for on top of your pasta at Olive Garden. Andddd now I've probably ruined that for you.

Promising review: "OMFreakinG!!! I just received this foot file today and I'm officially a believer!!! I hate the thought of anyone touching my feet, so I have been trying to find something to do pedicures by myself and nothing worked well. I was scrolling Facebook and came across a post about Amazon's top-rated products. When I saw this, I was skeptical but thought I would try it out and I'm so glad I did. This file got my feet baby smooth within minutes with such ease after months of built-up dead skin.  With this on the market, I don't know why anybody would want to go spend a ton of money at a nail salon." — Tasha P.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99  (available in five colors and a two-pack).

6. A three-piece  drill brush cleaning kit  you can attach to a drill for some serious scrubbin'. Danny Tanner would have a field day. Your back will thank you, your bathroom surfaces will sparkle, and you will be so thankful cleaning took half the time it usually does.  

The kit includes a 2-inch scrub brush, a 4-inch diameter flat brush, and a power scrubber brush. If you need a drill,  here's a good Black & Decker one . 

Drill Brush is a New York-based small biz.

Oh! And each color of the Drill Brush attachments corresponds to the type of bristles they have, and each one is for a specific type of cleaning job (like the  yellow  brush has medium bristles, best used for bathroom cleaning — bathtubs, showers, tile, and porcelain). Make sure to check the listing for which color is best for what you wanna clean.

Promising reviews: "So I kept seeing this item on TikTok and thought, 'Heck, why not?' I love this item for deep cleaning , whether it's car mats, shoes, or the shower." — A. givens

"My shower has never been this clean! I have tried so many scrubbers, been sore from trying to remove soap scum, and just left disappointed. This product was easy to use and cleaned dirt I didn’t even know was dirt in my shower! " — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $18.95  (available in six colors/bristle types). 

7. A stainless-steel tongue scraper that'll have you saying *oh so that's what strawberries taste like.* It can be adjusted to your mouth and help maintain better oral hygiene. Your breath will smell fresher, your mouth will feel cleaner, and your tongue will be as pink as Patrick Star. 

Dr.Tung's is a US-based small biz that specializes in oral care products. 

Promising review: "I had a tool similar to this years ago but it was plastic and shaped a little differently and I just didn’t see much results so I didn’t stick with using it. But this tongue scraper is by far above and beyond anything I have used in the past. The immediate results were disgusting, which in this case is a good thing ;-). I’m very happy with the quality of product and the way in which this handy little tool performs. An added plus is the cute travel bag which comes with your purchase. Solid purchase!" — Lyra18

Get it from Amazon for $7.70  (also available in multipacks).

8. A bottle of nail and cuticle care oil you apply like a clear coat of polish to help keep your nails strong and your cuticles soft. With this oil, your nails will still look like you got a fresh mani. Plus, you'll have fewer moments of mindlessly peeling your hangnails then screaming in terror because they hurt. 

Promising review:  "Found it on TikTok and I’m so pleased with the results. My nails are getting stronger and growing. And the best of all, not chipping. Love it." — sidna saavedra

Get it from Amazon for $9.90+  (available in three sizes).

9. A cutlery drawer organizer to organize all your utensils andddd give you more space since the lack thereof is starting to frighten you. You can fit 24 utensils in just one of these and since the compartments are stacked, you may even have room in your drawer for a second one or just more space for spatulas and such. 

Promising review:  "TikTok has done it again and made me spend money on unnecessary things. However, it was definitely worth it!  I love the durability and space it saved me.  Compared to larger and bulkier flatware organizers. Hands down, good purchase!" — Sierra

Get it from Amazon for $9.41+  (available in three colors and sizes).

10. A jar of the TikTok-famous  Pink Stuff  that's totally worth ALL the hype. Your jaw will be on the floor once you see what this cleaner can do. This paste plays no games when it's time to get tidy.

Promising review: "I was heartbroken when I saw that my daughters had written on the dresser with Sharpie! I tried so many different chemicals and nothing worked! I found this on TikTok and said 'Welp let me try my luck and see if it really works!' And let me tell you I am still shocked at how amazing this product works!!!! Yayyyy, I'm so soo soo happy to see my dresser white again!!!! 😭😭😭 Thank youuuu!!!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE LITTLE KIDS IN THE HOUSE!!!! " — Gabriela Portillo Solorio

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+  (available in multipacks).

11. And  The Pink Stuff's Miracle Multipurpose Cleaner Spray  for large surface areas like counters, walls, bathtubs, and floors. Marker on the wall from your kid? No match for this stuff. 

Promising review: "Glad I found this product on TikTok. Does 95%–100% of the job in seconds ! Definitely worth the money." — Mother of 4

Get it from Amazon for $4.99  (also available in a multipack).

12. A cruelty-free pet ear cleanser that'll gently (but effectively) clean your furry friend's ears and help make ear cleaning time a little easier on both you and the fur babe. Just fill the ear canal, gently massage it in, gently remove debris with a cotton ball, and boom — clean, fresh ears.

Promising review: "I have rescue poodles and any poodle owner can tell you about cleaning poodle ears. It's...nasty. But when you add years of neglect on top of already prone-to-funk ears it is just terrible. Infections, pain, and stressful cleanings were part of our lives until I tried this stuff . I have no idea how it works but it's MAGICAL. You squirt it in, smoosh it around, and the ick just starts wiping right off. It somehow fixes the sticky and stinky ear goop and makes cleaning ears as easy as rubbing them out with a cotton pad. It's gentle on the skin and hair while breaking up the funk.  I wish I'd found this years ago." — Jenae

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 .

13. A pack of  Keurig cleaner pods you can simply put through a cycle on the machine to get rid of all the gross crud and built-up coffee grinds in there. The first time cleaning might take a few extra pods, BUT use them weekly and your Keurig will be easier to clean. You'd be surprised how much better your coffee tastes after your Keurig is clean as new! 

Promising review:  "I had no idea that cleaning a Keurig was a thing. I bought these because I saw them on TikTok, believe it or not. I wanted to give it a go because my Keurig isn’t that old and I didn’t think it would do anything.  IT WORKS SO WELL!  My Keurig wasn’t as nasty as some I’ve seen luckily.  I would highly recommend, keeps everything running correctly and clean ." — Lauren

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+  (available in packs of 6, 12, or 18).

14. A  lid organizer  to organize all those Tupperware tops because your current organization system probably makes you wanna scream in terror and shut the cabinet door every time you open it. And don't get me started on trying to find the actual matching container — one word: nightmare. Your cabinet will look soooo much neater and you'll no longer be living in your own horror movie, Tupperware Cabinet Of Terror: Finding The Matching Lids. 

Promising review: " I never knew I needed this until I got it and now I don’t know how I ever lived without it!" — Kelli Belpedio

Get it from Amazon for  $15.99+  (available in four sizes).

15. A  pumice stone  for your toilet so you can ~finally~ get rid of that unattractive ring in the bowl. Keep your throne squeaky clean and looking brand-new! And you can use it on other surfaces like sinks and tubs! 

Promising review:  "TikTok made me buy this. This thing literally scoured away hard-water stains that I have been trying to get rid of for years in less than 30 seconds. 10/10 recommend." — Tleary125

Get it from Amazon for  $13.99+  (available in multipacks).

16. A leave-in conditioning spray for curly hair  to help you on those mornings where your kid wakes up with their hair literally everywhere and you've got five minutes to work some sort of magic on their little locks — talk about a scary situation. And this stuff gets the job done without any nasty parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Breakage, buh-bye. Elasticity and bounce, helloooooo! 

Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy.

Promising review:  " Amazing transformation! Highly recommend!  I went down an Instagram rabbit hole and saw a similar girl show how her frizz was transformed to curls. I ordered this!! My mind has been blown!! This has changed our lives. It smells so good! It is easy to use and air dry. Before my daughter woke up with terrible bed head. Now it is gorgeous soft curls. We will definitely buy again and tell everyone about this product!!" — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.99  (also available in a two-pack).

17. A water-based instant Folex carpet spot remover  that could clean up that chili Kevin spilled. No joke. I'm literally floored by these before and after pics. 

Promising review: “I wish I would’ve taken a before and after picture. I had a stain in my carpet that was there from the time we moved in three years ago. I ’ve tried carpet cleaners, various sprays, and even had the carpets professionally cleaned. Nothing touched it. I bought this after seeing it in a TikTok video on a whim, and I’m SO glad I did. Literally all I did was spray, mush it around in the carpet, and pressed in a paper towel. Literal magic. Stain was gone instantly. I used up the entire bottle in less than an hour, going around to all the spots in my home. I don’t know what sorcery and magic is in this, but I cannot recommend enough. 100% repurchasing!" — Davids Mommy

Get it from Amazon for $6.65+  (available in multipacks).

18. A set of Wonder Hangers  because your closet is full, but you can't resist a sale and having to get rid of your clothes is a frightening thought. These things can hold up to 30 pounds and one can hold up to five garments. 😱 I say we grab a pack of these, then celebrate the new space in our closets by buying more clothes. 

Check out a  TikTok of the Wonder Hangers  in action. 

Promising review:  "I love this for my walk-in closet and my obsession with shopping. 😅 Everything was perfect. I ordered a pack of six in white and everything was intact. Yes they are made of plastic, but very durable — I have a lot of heavy formal dresses and it's holding them up very well, shockingly !! I'm ordering more. ❤❤❤" — Taylor M.

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $13.99+  (available in two colors and in a 24-pack).

19. A bottle of   Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle that'll help give your carpets the cleaning they have soooo needed. This stuff is tough on dirty carpets and will have 'em looking brand new again no matter how big or old the stains from your kids, pets, or clumsy self (🙋‍♀️). 

This solution works great with Bissell, Hoover, McCulloch, Rug Doctor, Kenmore, and Carpet Express cleaners.

Sunny & Honey  is a family-run small biz that specializes in biodegradable cleaning products.

Promising review:  "Worth every penny. I’ve bought this product so many times now I have it on auto ship! Saw the reviews and figured I’d give it a try. My cat likes to pee over the litter box and stained the brand-new carpet. I used this in my Bissell and it took all the stain and smell out!!! I’ll never use another cleaner. " — Wendy

Get it from Amazon for  $12.99+  (available in three sizes and scents).

20. An extendable  Baseboard Buddy  to clean molding, your fireplace mantel, and of course, your baseboards. It can reach surfaces both high and low and your back and knees will thank you for ~not~ crouching down, because those are not the same knees you used to use to get low like Lil Jon. 

The kit includes one Baseboard Buddy and three reusable pads that can be used wet or dry. Plus the pads are microfiber and will trap and lock dirt and you won't walk past your dusty baseboards thinking *I'll get to that later* every other day.

Promising review : " Buy it NOW. Honestly, I had huge reservations for this thing. Yet another miracle cleaning tool that will break or bend or something. I was so wrong. It was easy to put together and I sprayed it with Mean Green and went to the baseboards. No more kneeling and no broken back. This thing is amazing. It is durable and the pad is super absorbent. I am so happy. I can't wait to do the rest of the house!" — artgirl

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . 

21. An overnight tank cleaner  that'll clean your toilet tank without you having to literally do an-y-thing. Throw this in the tank annnnndd that's about it. Couldn't be easier.

Promising review: "According to the instructions I was supposed to use the whole bottle but being that it was so big and that I had two toilets to clean, I only used half. I was pleasantly surprised. The toilet tank is from the 1960s and I doubt it's been cleaned within the last few decades . In the 'after' photo [above] you can see that there is still some rust left over but large chunks fell off the sides and can be seen on the bottom of the tank." — Nicole

Get it from Amazon for $7.54+  (also available in a multipack).

22. A hypoallergenic makeup brush shampoo because your dirty beauty tools have been haunting your dreams like ~wash us, it's been four months~. If you'd literally rather buy new makeup tools than clean them, this minimal-effort shampoo is just as right for you as Baby Bear's chair was for Goldilocks. 

This shampoo formula is cruelty-free and vegan!

Promising review: "After thorough, intensive scrubbing with dish soap, I thought I'd done an OK job on my brushes. FALSE! THIS! This magical, Hogwarts-crafted solution put any soap to shame. Minimal effort, incredible results. I had no idea my brushes could go back to their original color . Best purchase ever." — AC

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.98 .

23. A fume-free oven cleaner that's gentle enough that you don't need protective gloves to use it, but tough enough that your oven will be left sparkling. Open your oven and you'll probably hear the angels sing.

Promising review : "I saw this on a TikTok. I have used Easy Off in the past but hated the smell. This is so much better and let me tell you I am super sensitive to smells.  Works great in the oven, and also as I saw on the video works great in shower stalls and tubs!"  — Amy L Viau

Get it from Amazon for $8.98 .

24. A plant-based  cooking oil solidifier because pouring oil down your drain is no bueno and could cause problems in the future. This is a quick, easy way to dispose of that oil you have no clue what to do with. Sprinkle the powder into the leftover oil while it's hot, let it cool, and then throw it out! You'll be terrified once you do see this big, solid glob of oil since you *almost* poured it down the drain — that aftermath would have been scarrrrrrry! 

FryAway is a Latine woman-owned small biz founded by Laura Lady who specializes in planet-friendly ways to dispose of oil. They donate 1% of revenue to nonprofits focused on water conservation.

Promising review: "Honestly I didn’t know if this would work; waiting for it to cool down made me nervous, but once it was at room temperature, it was solid. It popped out of the fryer so nicely. Worth every penny." — Emma

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 .

25. A bleach-free weekly shower spray  that'll clean your shower till it sparkles, but that's not all, friends. This baby also helps prevent future soap scum buildup. Spray it, let it sit for 8–12 hours (so probz spray before bed), then wake up to a totally new shower. 

Promising review: "I got this product about three months ago and haven’t had to scrub my shower since! I just use this every week and rinse it off. It’s life changing!!" — Linds

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+  (available in two sizes and in a two-pack). 

26. A plant-based stainless steel cleaner  to wipe up all those pesky fingerprints on your fridge. And it doesn't stop there — it leaves a protective barrier to help prevent future fingerprints and smudges, keeping your stainless-steel appliances cleaner for longer. 

Check out this TikTok of the Therapy stainless steel cleaning spray working miracles!!

Therapy Clean is a family-owned and operated small biz that specializes in cleaning products to make your home shine.

Promising review : "This is a miracle worker on stainless. I have tried everything to get my stainless to shine like it should, even the home remedies, which do NOT work — sorry but they don't. This stuff is the best I have tried. I follow a girl on TikTok who recommended it and she has been right 100% on her Amazon recommendations. She nailed it again. You will love this stuff." — Amazonwoman

Get it from Amazon for $19.95+  (available in two sizes and in a two-pack).

27. A Bissell multipurpose carpet and upholstery cleaner that parents and pet owners are totally loving. It'll help remove tough stains from grass to mud to pet accidents using warm water and a special formula. That lasagna stain? *Poof* so long lasagna stain! 

Each cleaner comes with a trial size of Bissell's Spot & Stain Formula , which is also available on Amazon for $12.99 ! 

Promising review : "I love this thing. I bought it on a whim after seeing so many TikTok videos about it and can now say I am obsessed with it . As soon as it arrived I wanted to try it out so I started on an old stain on my rug, and imagine my surprise when it instantly came out and   I had tried every cleaning product prior to this. Then I thought I would try my couch and now it looks brand new. Next was my car. I've owned my car for 10 years and it has fabric seats. Honestly, I was grossed out by how much brown liquid and dirt came out of those seats but my car looks and smells amazing now . I would highly recommend this. Easy to move around and clean rugs, couches, cars, chairs, and more. Wish I had taken before and after photos because they would have been so good." — Zoey

Get it from Amazon for $97 .

28. A  spray-on cleaning gel  for the rust that's been turning your tub and shower walls orange and scaring you half to death every time you open the curtains. No scrubbing, I repeat — NO scrubbing — is required. 

Promising review: "I had two showers and two sinks to clean. Spent about an hour total on all. Spray, get it soaked, let it sit for about a minute, wipe, rinse, and repeat until done. Used almost the whole bottle. Totally worth it! This would have taken me a good three hours+ using Soft Scrub or Comet ." — Sarah.Sw

Get it from Amazon for $5.97 .

29. An  "Angry Mama" microwave cleaner  that'll loosen up old food and stains so you don't have to spend hours scrubbing. Just fill her up with water and vinegar and let mama handle last week's lasagna. When she's done blowing her top, just easily wipe away the food! Mama always gets the job done.

Check out a  TikTok of the "Angry Mama" microwave cleaner  in action. 

Promising review:  "This makes cleaning out the microwave so easy . Even if I put it off too long and it's really gross in there, a few minutes of mama working in the microwave and I can literally just wipe it out with no effort ." — Katy H

Get it from Amazon for $7.99  (available in four colors).

You running to your microwave in terror after seeing those before and after pics:

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Are staffing shortages a new problem, or a recurring crisis that’s never been addressed.

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MONTEREY PARK, CA: Nurses at Garfield Medical Center launched a 10-day strike on August 18, 2023. ... [+] Krisnor Carrillo, a registered nurse at the hospital, urges motorist to honk in support. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Staffing shortages continue to plague the healthcare industry, creating a vicious cycle where overworked healthcare professionals question their ability to continue. A recent report showed that 81% of clinicians want states to implement laws governing staff-to-patient ratios, which they ranked as one of the biggest considerations when taking a job. As more professionals leave hospitals, consumers find their access to quality care threatened. The National Center for Health Workforce estimates that 83 million Americans already live in an area without a primary care provider. Looking ahead, the outlook isn’t brighter, with the U.S. expected to be nearly 200,000 nurses short by 2031.

Staffing shortages undermine doctors’ and nurses’ ability to do their jobs. All too often, their patients also pay the price. A new study found that a 10% increase in nurses’ intention to quit their jobs is linked to a 14% increase in patient mortality. Nobody benefits from an understaffed hospital or one where existing staff are looking for the exits.

Unfortunately, staff shortages in healthcare aren’t new. For years, the industry has tried to solve staffing issues with band-aid solutions, rather than address underlying problems rooted in the business model. Nearly two decades ago, I discussed in my book Employee Retention: Solving the Healthcare Crisis how the healthcare industry needed to rebuild its infrastructure to address staffing shortages before the situation worsened. The industry wasn’t open to building needed infrastructure then, and now it has another predictable crisis, this time amid even tighter budgets.

While technology has advanced over the last two decades and more services are being delivered outside of the acute care setting, the issues related to staffing haven’t gone away, they’ve just multiplied. Today, healthcare professionals are in short supply in part because the industry has failed to change the business model associated with increased burnout. With other options available then and now, the current wave of staffing shortages should come as no surprise. Hospitals are facing a host of financial squeezes that have pushed them to cut staff and tighten operations putting patient safety at risk. Aggregating into systems, the response many took in the face of the Affordable Care Act as a mechanism to find safety in numbers, hasn’t been adequate, and won’t be going forward. Coupled with flat or deteriorating margins and a shrinking workforce, healthcare delivery organizations need to embrace a different business model—one that ties payment to outcomes that matter across the continuum of care and that redesigns the roles of critical staff to engage them differently across the patient/consumer journey.

As I laid out in Employee Retention , a systematic approach to building needed infrastructure requires fundamentals such as redefined roles, accountability for results, change in core processes, readily available supplies and equipment, and multiple patient care delivery models. Getting there won’t be easy, but it is vital for the success of the healthcare industry.

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Historically, the management infrastructure in healthcare has been optimized for performing operational tasks, not meeting strategic business challenges. My most recent book, Bringing Value to Healthcare, describes how managers have typically been promoted based on technical skills and their ability to execute within existing structures. This has perpetuated adherence to a broken model as health systems remain determined to make the old ways work. Instead, these organizations must invest in leadership with the competencies to conceptualize a new path forward and develop and execute strategies that ensure long-term growth and success.

Implementing strategies that tie payment to outcomes across the care continuum will provide greater financial stability and pave the way to address root causes of staffing shortages. Redefining management roles and associated infrastructure will help mitigate issues leading to turnover including stress and burnout . Unless addressed, these issues will only worsen along with deteriorating balance sheets as an aging population demands more clinical support at the same time nurses and other healthcare professionals are retiring at greater rates than they are entering the field. These factors have brought the industry to a critical juncture.

While health systems have generally adopted band-aid fixes, these recurring systemic problems require strategic solutions and the recognition that staffing shortages are symptomatic of deeper issues.

Fixing healthcare’s chronic staffing shortage is a formidable challenge, but it can be done. The commercial strategy for tomorrow’s healthcare requires a shift in thinking from cutting costs to seeking growth by doing business differently. This means more efficient use of resources and improvement in core processes. Eliminating non-value-added work and removing bureaucratic obstacles that heighten stress will create an environment that is more attractive to healthcare professionals committed to making a difference.

Health systems will find that prioritizing their staff and patients by redesigning their infrastructure in a way that lowers staff-to-patient ratios and addresses healthcare workers’ workload concerns will boost their competitiveness and profitability. Putting in the work to change core infrastructure is never as easy as maintaining the status quo, but it’s abundantly clear that the status quo isn’t serving staff or patients. Changing the business model at its foundation is the only way to cure an ailing healthcare industry.

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