Get Creative

What if the least likely solution to a problem turned out to be your best choice?

Unlikely does not mean impossible.

Face the challenge and the challenge may back down. Get creative and the best solution may emerge.

-- doug smith

 

Anger's Message

Once you realize that you're angry you can let it go.

It's done its job: informing you of a disconnection.

We can keep disconnecting, or we can solve the problem by connecting.

What's your choice?

-- doug smith

Timing The Search

 

When you are working on solving a problem, how long do you search for a solution? How about for the cause?

Would it surprise you to know that most people stop their search too soon?

Our need to find the cause of a problem can cause us to stop the search too soon. We reach for an incomplete or uninformed solution and then -- the problem persists. Problems resist lazy answers.

Sometimes the answer to timing the search is to keep on searching.

-- doug smith

Fear and Change

Change, while necessary, can also provoke fear.

Solving problems requires change. 

Given a choice, it's easy to shy away from the fear of change.

We hold onto our problems when change causes fear. Stay centered, manage those emotions, and reach for courage instead of fear. What if you DID solve that problem by changing the process, the situation, or the interpersonal dynamics?

You can. Fear might just be the excitement you feel from the shift of the solution.

-- doug smith

 

More Than Trying

Have you ever tried to solve a problem too fast? The need for that closure, the craving for satisfaction, the desire to put the problem to rest can lead us to solutions that feel good at first but just do not work.

The point of problem solving is not to feel good about trying to solve the problem -- it's about solving the problem.

That might take longer. 

-- doug smith

 

Find the Promise

Every problem contains a promise. 

That promise is a solution that leads to improvement, that leads to satisfaction, that leads to success. It's not guaranteed, of course, but the promise is there. Why hide from it?

The promise of a problem sparks the seeds of success. 

Find the promise, it will pull you toward the solution.

-- doug smith

 

An Endless Supply

For every problem we solve we discover two more. looks like we'll never run out of work.

-- doug smith

The Need to Act

 

Some of us like to analyze. Some of us like to act and let someone else analyze.

Solving problems takes a balance. The most brilliant analysis producing the most wonderful ideas is all useless until someone acts.

Some problems encourage eternal analysis, but that does not mean that eternal analysis is best. Some analysis is best accomplished with action.

Think carefully, of course. Act boldly, also of course.

-- doug smith 

Blame Is Not Your Problem

It's irksome to get blamed for a problem. That can raise emotions that make solving the problem even more difficult. If we can center ourselves first, breathe, and release the blame, maybe we can see what path to take.

We can solve the problem.

Getting blamed for a problem we didn't create doesn't prevent us from solving it.

Let go of the blame, wherever it came from.

-- doug smith

 

Action Step:

The next time you catch yourself blaming anyone for anything, just let go of the blame. 

Peace With Temporary Solutions

 

As a recovering perfectionist, I've tried to make peace with temporary solutions. I do still want everything to be perfect (and to STAY that way) while also learning that even my best ideas are transitional at best. Things will change. I will change. You will change. Our ideas and solutions will also need to change.

If we can stop thinking that solutions are final our problems won't seem so troubling.

Because whatever we don't solve NOW can still be solved later. 

Add a little kaizen to your solution and let it breathe.

What do you think?

-- doug smith

Action Step:

In your next action plan, consider adding a step for continuous improvement. 

Cooperation

Cooperative, centered problem solving rewards you even when the problem is not solved.

-- doug smith

Keep Digging

The first cause you find to a problem is probably not the last cause or even the main cause. Keep digging.

-- doug smith

Detaching Personalities

Have you ever had a problem that seemed to be propelled by people's personalities? When it's hard to get along our problems can linger on.

Here's what I do: take a breath, take nothing personally, and take charge of taking the next step.

A centered problem solver detaches the problem from the personalities.

-- doug smith

 

Keep Solving

It's frustrating to solve a problem only to have it re-appear. And, even if it doesn't re-appear it seems like another problem quickly pops up.

Problems don't stay solved so we must keep solving.

And so...keep solving.

-- doug smith 

Random Solutions

A seemingly random solution to a problem is still a solution.

-- doug smith