Test Your Perceptions

Have you ever been surprised by a problem that isn't what you thought it was? Have you ever been sure that you were correct only to later discover that you weren't?

Question and test your perceptions. Things might not be the way you think.

-- doug smith

Unwind

Unwind your problems before they unwind you.

-- doug smith

Call It Within Your Ability

Calling a problem too complicated to solve does not solve it.

Centered problem solvers stay positive and focused. Break that problem down into understandable and manageable pieces. You might have to solve it bit, by, bit.

-- doug smith

Keep Digging

There is always more than one answer to eve your toughest problem.

-- doug smith

Go For The Win

Whenever I start to solve a problem, but stop, it causes me concern. Why would I do that? Where is the follow-thru? 

The follow-thru is with you, but only when you drive it. Move it. Feel it. Keep the energy going.

Starting work on a problem without following thru leads to frustration. If you're going to begin, go for the win.

-- doug smith

Different

New problems resist old solutions.

-- doug smith

What Did You Do?

When analyzing a problem be sure to identify your risk and actions in the cause.

-- doug smith

Solve Problems Collaboratively

Centered leaders help people solve problems collaboratively.

-- doug smith

To Transform

Every problem is a project. Every project needs a plan. Every plan needs the power of people to transform.

-- doug smith

Remove the Problem's Pain

All problems contain some pain. The best solutions do not numb the pain but rather remove or redirect the pain into usefulness.

-- doug smith

Instant Time Machine

Generate more ideas for a solution by imagining how that problem would be solved fifty years from now.

Instant time machine.

-- doug smith

Consider Everyone Effected

Solving problems by hurting others is not solving problems.

Centered problem solvers consider everyone effected by the solutions.

-- doug smith

Maybe a Pause to Listen?

Do you ever wear yourself out trying to help someone else solve a problem? It is so tempting to come up with solutions. Even when you're sure they will work, will they really? 

I'm working on taking a pause. What is the request? What is the need? What is my role?

You may not need to solve someone else's problem -- they may just need your attentive listening.

-- doug smith

Are you ready?

Are you feeling a little busy? Are there more problems than you can juggle at once? It feels new, and yet the world has always had unsolved problems waiting for your help. There are more people now, many more, and that does make a difference. Everything is multiplied. 

Which makes you even more important than ever.

The world will always need centered problem solvers.

Are you ready?

-- doug smith

Get Started

We don't have forever to solve a problem.

-- doug smith

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