Have you listened to numerous self-help talks and can't seem to understand how to implement their ideas to solve you personal problems? Then you should utilize the five why method. This simple self-help tool can help you self diagnose a problem, be more honest with yourself, and come up with a solution to your personal problems. What Are The Five Why Method? Sakichi Toyoda of the Toyota auto company created the five why method to diagnose problems with auto production, but it has been adapted as a useful self-help tool ever since. Basically, you start by asking yourself five "whys" about a problem to help find a cause for the problem and, potentially, a solution. For example, if you feel shy at work and don't know why, you could ask yourself …show more content…
Why haven't I gotten a promotion? Why doesn't anyone reach out to help me? Answering these questions can help you be more honest with yourself and create a better sense of self-understanding. It can also help you understand cognitive dissonance and how it is holding you back or causing your problems. Being Dishonest With Yourself Through Cognitive Dissonance The reason that the five why method is so useful is because it can help you break through the cognitive dissonance that is holding you back from being honest. Cognitive dissonance is behaving in a way that conflicts with what is good or healthy for you. The dissonance occurs when you try to come up with explanations or excuses for your bad behavior. This concept was first noticed by Leon Festinger when he studied a group that thought the Earth was going to be destroyed by a flood. When it wasn't, true believers claimed that their good behavior prevented the flood: in this way, they were "right" about a situation in which they had been proven very wrong. As a result, cognitive dissonance can actually cause you to justify a wide range of problematic behavior, such as: Over eating Using drugs Cheating on a …show more content…
For example, if we return to the example mentioned in the first paragraph, we can break down the answers to those questions to come to a variety of conclusions: Why do I feel uncomfortable around my co-workers? You barely know your co-workers, so interaction with them is uncomfortable and awkward. You need to build a stronger relationship with them. Why is it difficult for me to ask for what I want? Shyness and fear of being rejected could leave you to keep your desires unstated. This isn't the fault of your boss or co-workers. Why do I avoid spending time with boss? Again, you're likely afraid of interacting with somebody who holds such an important role in your life. As a result, interaction is difficult for you both. Why haven't I gotten a promotion? You work hard, but you haven't built any relationships in the office. You are ignored come promotion time because your boss knows little about who you are as a