In Front

 

Problems bring pain. Maybe it's physical, or emotional, or logistical-- as long as the problem is there, so is that pain.

When we solve the problems in front of us we can put the pain behind us.

-- doug smith

The Right People

Who do you get to help you solve your problem?

You, of course, that's a given. Also, people who will be impacted by any solution you try. People who are feeling the effects of the problem right now. Even (especially) people who you think may be at the root cause of the problem.

Engage the right people in creating problem solutions so that they don't become the wrong people while implementing them.

-- doug smith

 

More, please

How many solutions does your problem need?

Sometimes the answer is just one more. It could also be that your problem needs twenty more before you find the one that sticks.

Finding solutions is the fun part anyway so just keep going. 

Create more solutions to a problem than you need in order to find one that works.

-- doug smith

 

An Important Pause

We're all in a hurry. Urgency is a way of life. When we're working on a problem it feels as if the faster we solve it the better.

But, have you ever solved a problem only to shortly discover that you haven't solved it at all? New complications arise. Surprises confound you. The problem roars back.

The worry creates the hurry. The rush is not enough. Better to find the actual cause of the problem and face that issue. 

Taking time to analyze a problem will save time in solving it.

And that saves time overall.

That pause you take may be more important than you thought.

-- doug smith

 

Centered First

Sometimes it's more important to be centered than to be right.

-- doug smith

 

Get Help Solving That Problem

Do you try to do everything on your own?

If you're part of a team, and especially if you are leading a team, it goes better by collaborating. Working together. Helping each other. 

People like to be connected. What better time to strengthen your connections than when you have a problem?

You don't need everyone in the world to help you solve a problem but you probably do need someone. Find out who that is, and get them involved.

Besides, it is way more fun that way, too.

-- doug smith 

Need leadership training? That's what I do: doug smith training

Problem Control

 

Can you solve every problem?

Of course not. Some problems need more time, more resources, more miracles.

Sometimes the best we can do as a leader is not to make things worse.

Even if you can't solve a problem there's no reason to magnify it.

Look at that problem from the viewpoint of someone who just doesn't care. Does it look different? Is it really a mountain or simply a molehill (of course, if you've ever had moles you know what kind of problem that is).

Will any of it matter a year from now?

If yes, get busy. If no, breathe?

-- doug smith

The Seat of the Situation

Problems are complicated. We need to think clearly about them, to analyze their causes. We also need to act quickly because, oddly or not, some solutions expire. 

Sit, or move?

Think, or act?

This isn't a universal assertion, but maybe one with value: 

the situation isn't entirely the problem, and the problem isn't entirely the situation.

As closely as cause and effect may nest, there are likely other causes, other effects worth considering. It's a bit like widening the circle in a jam session. Yes, the new instruments complicate things, and yes, sometimes the notes are discordant, but oh! the miracle of the unexpected harmonies can make the how piece better.

That's the situation. What if it existed before the problem, and needs to exist beyond the problem?

We can sit with a problem without making that problem the entire situation.

What do you think?

-- doug smith

 ps: The drawing is only partially related. It't a situation. It's a problem. I drew this dancing with the idea of problem vs. polarity...and other random situations. 

 

A Quick Quote from James Clear

 "Don't ignore the problem, but keep it light. Take action with a smile. Adding tension won't solve your troubles faster. 

Even when the problem is hard, it doesn't need to harden you. Unknot yourself. Body loose, head clear, and then take the first step. 

Be happy in the doing."

-- James Clear

Enjoy The Outcomes

Every problem leads to an outcome.  Some you want and some you definitely do not want. 

You're going to prefer the outcomes of the problems you solve.

Don't you think so?

-- doug smith