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

 

Talk About It

Some problems are just one conversation away from being solved.

Talk about it.

-- doug smith

Choose Your Story

 

Have you thought about how many stories you add to your life? We are so interested in understanding the meaning of everything that if we can't easily find the meaning we simply make it up. We tell stories to explain what we believe, even if what we believe has zero evidence or proof.

Ordinarily, that's annoying. When dealing with a problem, that's a disaster in motion.

Things we do to expand that story include ascribing motives to people we believe are responsible. They include interpreting words and actions as malicious, when maybe they were simply capricious. They include telling tales of woe and victimhood that do not lead to sensible solutions.

It's another problem within a problem. But we can choose.

Be careful about adding a story to a problem that only makes the problem worse.

You don't want to make the problem worse, do you? You want to solve it. If your story is not leading to a positive outcome, maybe just maybe the story is wrong.

-- doug smith

What You Want?

Is what you want more powerful than what you need in order to solve that problem?

Is what you want negotiable?

-- doug smith

 

Try Again

Problems have a way of recalibrating our expectations.

Didn't get what you expected? Try again.

-- doug smith

 

Emotional Additives

We are a bundle of emotions. When we're at work we might try to leave our emotions at home, but they will sneak in. Emotions are powerful. Emotions are influential. 

Emotions can cause problems when people over-react, melt-down, freeze-up, or fight. We become so consumed that we over-simplify. Our demands increase, our effectiveness does not.

Emotions seldom solve problems. 

Pay attention, but be careful about serving your emotions (or anyone else's). 

-- doug smith 

Why Wait?

There is usually more glory (and satisfaction) in solving a problem than there is in doing the hard work ahead of time to prevent the problem in the first place. It means paying attention to risk, rather than dismissing it with some wildly optimistic notion that things will stay steady and true and always work out for you. That would be great, but have you considered the potential problems.

Potential problems have a way of turning into actual problems.

It takes less energy to prevent a problem than to solve it. Why wait?

Fun or not, prevention works.

-- doug smith

 

Here's A Question...

What if the best way to solve a problem is to ask the right questions?

-- doug smith

 

Many Paths

A mystery is only a mystery until you understand it. A problem is only a problem until you achieve your goal.  

Fortunately, there are thousands of paths to your goal.

-- doug smith

Just Ahead

Ahead of every goal is a problem, and within every problem is a goal.

-- doug smith

 

Explore More

There is usually more than one solution to any problem. It may be best to avoid what feels like a permanent solution until we've explored other solutions.

-- doug smith

Perspective

Sometimes we hold our problems too close to see what's causing them.

-- doug smith

 

Worth Exploring

What if your problem was caused by a change you've been resisting?

It's worth exploring the possibility.

 -- doug smith

Oh no...

Some problems require uncomfortable solutions.

-- doug smith