Attention to Detail

Have you ever heard the expression, "the devil is in the details"? Maybe it's not the devil at all. Maybe it's the solution. We let so much of what is wash over us like an invisible bath. Disorganization, mistakes, carelessness...all an avoidable bother if we stop avoiding it.

Your problem might take less time to solve than you expect, if you give it your full attention.

-- doug smith

Perspective

Think about a problem you solved more than a year ago. How has your perspective changed?

-- doug smith

Surprise!

Do you like surprises?

When I was still young I learned the hard way that bosses usually do not like surprises. They are problems. They mess with the plan. Surprises take the status quo and rock it on its side.

But sometimes the surprise does not cause the problem. Sometimes the surprise comes after the problem has already been working its messy distress under your awareness. The problem festers, flows, and then goes BOOM.

Surprise!

When a problem arises, watch out for surprises.

What if instead of waiting for the surprise you dealt with the problem?

-- doug smith

Stay Persistent

Have you ever gotten frustrated while looking for the solution to a problem? It's not just common, we should probably expect it. If it was easy, it wouldn't be a problem, would it? Maybe we just need to keep thinking. Maybe we just need to quietly identify possibilities.

What if the best answer to your problem hasn't been thought of yet?

The answer, even if it's just "manage the outcomes and make peace with the problem" is likely there. Keep digging.

-- doug smith

Something to Do

Find a problem worth solving and you'll never be bored.

-- doug smith

Build Your Influence

You never know how influential you might be until you try to expand your influence. You never know when the smallest problem solving step might lead to an evolution of ever expanding and more effective steps. You might think you know, you might not. Expand it. Grow it. Get to know people and work on that problem.

When a problem is beyond your influence, build your influence.

-- doug smith

About That Attitude

Changing your attitude to solve a problem is worth considering (if you really want to solve the problem.)

-- doug smith

Quick Quote: Perspective

The right perspective can put your problem down to size.

-- doug smith

Quick Quote: Find the Cause

Once you figure out the cause of your problem you can decide how to solve it.

-- doug smith

Who Are You?

Problems tend to reveal your character.

The way you react to them. The way you work with others on them. The way you solve them. Whether or not you do solve them.

Problems tend to reveal your character. What do they say about yours?

-- doug smith

Achieve That Goal

A problem is just an unfulfilled goal.

-- doug smith

Get That Experience

Problem solving requires confidence. Confidence comes from solving problems.

-- doug smith

Grow

Centered problem solvers learn constantly because that's how they grow.

-- doug smith

Inspiration

Centered problem solvers turn irritation into inspiration.  Stay inspired.

-- doug smith

Find The Value

Centered problem solvers focus on the goal that replaces the problem with value.

-- doug smith

Problems Leave Clues

Check each problem for clues to its cause and be careful about distracting expectations.

It may not be what you thought it is. Dig deeper.

-- doug smith