It's Not Pretend

Problems are real. We might avoid them, but they are real. We might ignore them, but they can only be ignored until the problem is big enough to cause reactions. Problems are not pretend so our reactions must be real.

We need to pay attention. We need to act.

It doesn't do any good to pretend to know the solution if the solution doesn't work.

-- doug smith

Is Anger A Problem Solving Tool?

Problems can make me angry. It's tempting to express that anger. Sometimes it's even necessary to express that anger, in a productive and safe way. But, it's too much to expect that anger can solve the problem.

Anger calls attention to its cause. When it's a problem, we notice our anger. We get motivated to react.

Anger might be simply doing its best to identify a problem. Just don't use anger attempting to solve it.
-- doug smith

Different Problems, Different Solutions

Sometimes a solution works so well that we're tempted to use it for everything. Different problems need different solutions.
-- doug smith

Serious

Personal problems might involve fewer people but can feel crushingly serious.
-- doug smith

Energizing Goals

Centered problem solvers set clear and energizing goals.

How many ways can you think of to solve your problem? What if you framed your problem as a goal -- how many ways could you think of to achieve your goal?

Limitless? That's what I was thinking...

-- doug smith

Test Your Assumptions

When was the last time one of your assumptions was wrong?

It's so easy to jump to conclusions. We fill-in-the-blanks so many times in so many ways because it's just part of being human. But, when we assume that things are not going in our favor, when maybe there is no reason to, we do ourselves no service.

This is a picture of a recent training room for one of my workshops. It was day two of the two-day workshop and since the hotel staff had in the past forgotten to unlock the door to my room. I arrived, and sure enough the door was locked. Rather than get upset (something I might have experienced in the past) I calmly contacted the hotel staff and politely, yet assertively, asked to have my door unlocked.

"I can do that, sir," said a polite maintenance gentleman, "but you could also just walk in thru that second, open door..."

"Oh. Gee. Thanks!"

That was just a little embarrassing. Just about fifteen feet from the locked door was an open door. My assumption ("I'm locked out!") was completely incorrect.

I know better. You know better. And yet, every once in a while it is so easy to jump to a conclusion that I do. And often, when you jump to a conclusion, you've fallen into a trap.

Test your assumptions. The answer you're looking for might be right there all along.


ACTION PLAN:

1. The next time you are working on a problem, take a moment to list all of your assumptions about that problem.
2. Share your list of assumptions with someone who is impartial about your problem. Get their responses and ask open-ended questions.
3. Ask yourself, "What if my assumptions is false? What else could be going on?"
4. Let go of any assumptions that are not serving you well.

-- doug smith

Could It Be The Process?

Before you blame a person for that problem, could it be the process?

-- doug smith

Outlast At Last

Center Yourself First

Those problems! Does it ever seem that they can take on lives of their own? They can seem so out of whack, so out of harmony, that we wonder what it will take to even start to get them under control. Breathless, we forge ahead bungling our initial efforts and creating a spinning circle of frustration.

Unless.

Unless we first center ourselves. Unless we are already balanced, focused, breathing individuals. Ready for this challenge because we are simply ready. Confident. Quiet. Calm. Centered.

Center yourself first.

Solving problems without a centered self may lead to complications.

You're first on that list.

-- doug smith

Go Ahead

Have you ever tried to solve a problem but kept holding yourself back? I've done that too many times to count, and it doesn't count for anything. It doesn't work.

Feeling insecure will not make me more secure. Let it go. Open up more possibilities.

The magic, the answer, the solution is in the possibilities.

-- doug smith

Set a Positive Goal

The best problem solving achieves a positive goal.

-- doug smith

Unmet Expectations

Problems are made bigger by unmet expectations.

-- doug smith

Defining

The average does not define you so much as the peaks and valleys.

-- Doug Smith

Problems Require Action

If you could solve a problem by thinking about it you'd never need to leave the house. Solutions require action.

-- Doug Smith

Talking About It Doesn't Make Your Problem Worse

The problem doesn't get worse by talking about it. Just be sure to also talk about what you want. What is your goal?

-- Doug Smith

Do No Harm

The problem is not solved if anyone is harmed by the solution.

-- Doug Smith