Have You Heard About the Rubber Duck Debugging Technique?

Has it been long since you found yourself trapped in a situation where you can’t find a quick solution to your problem? You often wonder the best thing to do here is seek help. Have you heard about the rubber duck debugging?  

Instead of visiting somebody seeking their counsel, what if I tell you that the answer or solution to your problem lies within yourself! What if you could find the answer on own? 

How does that sound? Sounds great, doesn’t it?! I know you are eager to learn how.

If there is one thing that makes you feel super great, it is your ability to find solutions to a problem. And you may feel more amazing when you do it without asking for help. 

We live in a digital era where we are highly dependent on technology to help us through. However, there are some traditional methods that can actually help you troubleshoot. It incorporates your own self-governed problem-solving technique to help you find answers. 

It’s called the “rubber duck debugging” approach. 

The idea is to sit with a rubber duck and ask them a series of questions. Ultimately, it helps you come up with a probable solution, and that too without outside intervention. 

Just imagine you are working as a productivity growth manager at a firm and you suddenly find yourself in a problematic situation. You are tasked with creating better ways of monetization and at one point, you found yourself trapped in a mind-boggling situation. Now, you are left with quite little options, and you can’t come up with a proper solution. 

So here’s what you did, you went to your digital marketing manager’s room, sat him down and started seeking his counsel. In the process, you came up with the ideas yourself. 

Let me explain what happened… in the process of seeking his counsel, you actually questioned yourself to the point where you pondered and came up with better ideas. 

How did it happen? Can we do the same too? Oh yes, you can. And that’s how you do it: 

Step # 1: Let Your Problem Speak for Itself

To start out, try giving a chance to your problem to speak up. Sounds funny, but that’s exactly what you need to do! Instead of brainstorming your mind to oblivion, give a chance to the problem so it can speak for itself. You will be amazed to see that the answer to your problem actually lies within the problem. All you had to do is understand & explore.

We keep our minds busy with unnecessary conversations. Our inner monologue keeps us preoccupied with different things and our own mental exertion doesn’t let mind speak.  

If only we were able to give enough space to the mind so it can speak for its own. Silencing the mind is an art that only a few have mastered. So if you can’t do it, let the problem talk. To do so, take a piece of paper or your smartphone and write it down. 

Once, you’ve written down your problem now try to speak it out loud so your brain can pay attention. The moment it does, it will shift its focus from unnecessary jargon. 

Step # 2: Create a Schematic and Sketch the Details

Once, your mind is sound, it is now time to create the initial schematics. After all, you won’t be able to solve your problem unless you don’t break it down into segments. 

One way of doing it is to ask yourself a series of questions that surround your problem. 

It’s okay to ask yourselves a few questions such as, 

• What were you doing before the problem occurred? 
• How exactly did you come to face the problem? 
• What are the steps you must take to resolve the problem? 

It will all help you create the perfect schematics. When you’re done, you now need to add some weight and context to your schematic and that’s where sketching the details come. 

Get into the micromanagement business. For example, if you are searching for new methods of monetization, you need to ask yourself which areas of digital media you should focus on. If you’re planning to earn through social media, find the right groups and channels. Find the right influencers to help you promote. Can paid marketing work out? 

When you have the proper sketch in hand, the solution to your problem starts clearing up. 

Step # 3: Align Your End Goal with the Problem

The very next task to pay attention to is whether your end goal is in alignment with the proposed problem. It’s because everything which you’re doing is to achieve your end goal. 

If your end-goal is to make money, (as per our case), then you need to analyze first that the problem which you are in, does it contribute to your end goal? If not, then discard it. 

Sit back, relax and take a bird’s eye view. 

If it does align with the monetization aspect, then make sure to proceed forward. 

This step is a precautionary step so you don’t end up wasting your mental energy on things that aren’t important altogether. Sometimes we push ourselves too hard and don’t realize.

By aligning yourself to the end goal, your mind can produce alternative suggestions. 

Step # 4: Finally, Find Your Duck! 

When you feel that you are fully prepared, it is time that you choose a duck and sit down with him/her. Now, this has to be a person who can understand & relate to your problem.

Start with the question in such a way that your duck guides you through the process. He or she should be able to respond to your query in such a way that you get a step closer. 

Usually, managers are skilled at doing such things, so it’s better that you sit with them. 

Let them probe you for answers and before you know it, you’re already breaking grounds. Not only will you find the right answer to your problem but you will also have a clear view.

Has it been fun resolving your query on your own? Did you try the rubber duck debugging? Share your experience with us. Let us become your rubber duck to help you through.