No Hiding

We can't hide from a problem. It will find us. Every single time.

-- doug smith 

Prioritizing

Sometimes we have to avoid the problem in front of us to solve the problem ahead of us.

-- doug smith

 

More and More

I didn't ask for any of my problems but solving some of them gave me more than I could ever ask for.

-- Harry X. Tudas 

A Better Solution

A problem that resists your solution is searching for a better way.

It's your partner, not your enemy. It's gently, persistently, pushing you toward a better solution.

-- doug smith

Your Best

Problems give you the platform to promote your best you.

-- doug smith

 

Gently

This moment is yours. Hold it gently.

-- doug smith

 

Find Something More Helpful...

Judging another person's problems doesn't solve any of your own.

-- doug smith

 

Leveraging Shared Problems

As frustrating as it is, some people don't care about your problem until you make it their problem, too.

But you don't have to manipulate them into it. Talk about it. Share your concerns. Find the connections and you'll also find their investment.

Once their in, collaboration is far more likely.

-- doug smith

 

Can You Go Beyond?

Beyond the present solutions there are even better solutions to nearly every problem.

-- doug smith

Fix The Problem

Fighting a problem does not require us to fight other people.

We don't need to agitate when we can collaborate.

Fix the problem (which is likely caused by flaws in the process, design, or environment) and the people will be fine.

-- doug smith 

Consider The Impact

Has anyone ever solved a problem in a way that made things worse for you?

Changes in job sites, changes in processes, software updates, family squabbles...with good intentions people rush solutions into play that seem to work for some, and yet badly disappoint others.

We can do better than that.

Think thru those solutions before launching that change. Get help from as many people as possible who will be impacted by that change.

Until you consider the impact of your problem's solution on other people you haven't really considered that solution enough.

-- doug smith 

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

 

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

Deeper Still

 

We might need to go deeper. 

The root cause of a problem may be deeper than you think, with roots of its own.

Go deeper. Deeper still.

Until you do the problem keeps growing.

-- doug smith

It's back again...

A new problem that mimics an old problem could be revealing two unsolved problems. 

-- doug smith

Tease Out The Causes

Problems have a way of intermingling and combining. What if you teased the pieces apart until you found the root cause?

Even if there are more causes than one, separating them can provide clarity and insights into faster solutions.

-- doug smith

 

Push

 

A problem is a change in need of a push.

You see it. It's right in front of you. You've done all the analysis that's needed.

Push.

-- doug smith

Start To Solve

What if problem solving is mostly opportunity surfing?

Plunge in, it's time to begin, that problem will not solve itself.

-- doug smith

Keep Looking

Some problems take longer than others to solve. It can seem like you'll never get the solution.

You may not have found the solution yet but you're way ahead of anyone who's stopped looking.

-- doug smith