Ever work on a problem so long that you've got a half of a dozen solutions buzzing around like bees near a flower?
What if those bees are really wasps? What if the value of your solutions is less than the lessons of the problem?
Yikes!
We can't solve a problem until we let go of the solutions that don't work.
To get started, let go.
-- doug smith
Too much pressure...or too little.
Too much stress...or not enough.
More problems are caused by imbalance than we realize.
Find the balance.
Center the attention.
Breathe.
-- doug smith
Problems caused by enemies last as long as you have enemies.
I don't know how to deal with an enemy, so I treat them like a friend.
It doesn't always work out, but we already know what to expect from enemies.
-- doug smith
Is it possible to have peace without justice?
I wrestle with that question because I know what I'd like it to be and I suspect that the real answer is something else. How about you?
The path of peace is sometimes covered with conflict.
Problems don't always present in a respectful, peaceful manner. Sometimes they barely even disguise the greed behind the behavior.
Tough, yet almost certain, the answer involves an assertive response.
A problem caused by greed might need a bit of justice.
Peaceful, restorative justice perhaps, but most definitely justice.
-- doug smith
What's the difference between a problem and a conflict?
A conflict is a problem you cannot solve alone.
-- doug smith
"It can't be answered!"
"It can't be fixed!"
"I don't KNOW what I want! You should know!"
On it goes. Off it goes. Frustration grows.
Some unsolvable problems act like they can never be solved. Some unsolvable problems want desperately to be loved.
Is love missing? Could that be your answer?
-- doug smith
Are you comfortable with ambiguity?
I'm not a fan of not knowing, but I've learned that sometimes I just don't know. Try as I might, I don't understand what is going on with a customer, or a team member, or a boss.
The effort to understand everything will always leave gaps.
Closing those gaps could take a long time. In the meantime, keep working.
-- doug smith
How does it feel when a problem lasts for a long time? Have you ever had a problem that lasted so long that it seemed like it would always be around?
When a problem is not solved or managed it must be endured. We can do better than that.
-- doug smith
Before GPS, we'd need paper, folding maps to navigate our way around strange territory. It seemed like a miracle how such a large map could fold into such a small space. If you weren't careful though, the route you were seeking could get lost in a fold. It was still there, just not aligned properly with your path.
Our problems can be like that.
The pattern of our problems is a map unfolding. We can lose or we can choose. Another way awaits.
-- doug smith
What can be possible right now? Is there a problem facing you that you've been avoiding because it feels like there are already just too many things going on? It's easy to fall into an "all or nothing" mindset where, unable to solve ALL of the problems we manage to solve NONE of the problems.
That there are too many problems to solve them all shouldn't stop us from solving the ones we can.
If what can be is one solution to one problem that is a wonderful place to begin.
-- doug smith
A problem that is intentionally caused should not be ignored. It is either a conflict, or about to become one. When was the last time you saw a conflict resolve itself? (That's what I thought...)
As one of my mentors, Andrew Oxley taught me: "You don't have to get angry, but you do have to get active."
Do what leaders do: solve problems. A problem caused intentionally points to a root cause and a larger opportunity. Ignored, it gets bigger. Addressed, it may get solved.
-- doug smith
Problems prioritize themselves by the pain they cause.
Unless, of course, we get ahead of them. Why not solve a problem before it hurts so bad?
-- doug smith
Some people won't want you to solve a problem. It's worth finding out why.
Not so that you can solve the problem FOR them. So that you both can understand.
-- doug smith
Some big problems are solved by little solutions that never end.
Persistence is often under-rated.
-- doug smith
