Today’s post contains a simple idea, but a massively valuable one too! It can help you solve problems or challenges more effectively and reduce your stress levels at the same time.
It’s all about focusing 99% of your time on the solution and very little time worrying about the actual problem itself.
Don’t focus on the problem
To solve a problem, you need to be in a resourceful state. This gives you your best chance to find not only an answer, but a great answer.
The thing is, when a problem comes along, especially a BIG problem, people tend to focus most of their time thinking about the various horrible things that might happen, as a result of the problem. This immediately places us in an unresourceful state. We worry. We panic. We become fearful. It’s hard to think clearly under that kind of dark cloud.
The bottom line: Once you have identified exactly what the problem is, it’s time to move on to the answer!
Focus on the answers
Focusing on answers always places our mind in a positive state. Rather then the cycle of doom and gloom that is created when we focus on problems, a cycle of positivity, creativity and clarity is created, when we focus on answers. Focusing on the answer puts us back in control and allows us to put our energy where it’s needed most – Finding a solution!
One of my readers was presented with a huge “challenge” recently, when her biggest customer pulled their account! She emailed me to explain how she used an idea from this blog post, to “turn it around”. The post is about the importance of using great questions, to focus your mind on creating great answers. Anyway, here’s what she said in her email to me (reused with her permission):
By taking your advice on problem solving, I noticed that the usual cycle of stress and worry didn’t happen. Previously, I would have literally worried myself sick, imagining all the consequences of losing this account and playing out all the worst case scenarios in my mind over and over again.
So this time I immediately focused on an answer instead. I grabbed a pen and a pad and started writing ideas down, first to see about rescuing this customer’s account and then, to see about replacing them with another account. That was 12 days ago and I have won my former customer back and gained another, even bigger account.
I estimate the idea from your blog post has earned me close on $45,000.
Thank you Jim!
Someone once told me that worrying was the lowest possible use of the human imagination, and I think he had a point. In my experience, most people who regard themselves as poor problem solvers, are simply GREAT problem solvers, who use their imagination and creativity to focus on the wrong things.
I’d love to hear your feedback on solving problems or overcoming challenges. What works for you? Let us know!
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So totally agree, Jim! I have confessed to at one time holding a degree in worrying. As I “grew up,” even though none of the issues went away, I found myself better able to get it under control.
I was thinking about that this morning when I woke up, I don’t have the panic I once felt. Perhaps part of that is that I have become a survivor. Life hasn’t always given me what I wanted, many times it was the opposite. Anyone who knows me well knows that I certainly wasn’t blessed with compliant children but their challenges have made me stronger.
Now I can still have sleepless nights but the ones caused by worry are fewer and more likely it is because my mind woke up early and I am already in my head working away on projects.
This is very valuable, Jim, because there are so many people that struggle with this. I talked about it in my What’s Holding You Back Series – # 2 Worry… But focusing on the solution certainly gets you much further. Thank YOU!
.-= Julie Walraven | Resume Services´s last blog ..Value of Social Media? You Tell Me! =-.
Very good. I often focus on the problem as I see it as well, and try to give what I want to be the answer – not what the answer actually is…
.-= Scott Gould´s last blog ..The Issue With Social Media Events: They Aren’t Social =-.
When an answer isn’t coming, it could be that the wrong aspect of the problem is getting all the attention.
One of the greatest tips I received is to take a problem, break it down into its elements and then redefine these elements by relating them to something totally different.
For example, roll-on deodorant came about by looking at how a ball-point pen works.
If nothing else, it exercises creativity muscles and this strengthens lateral problem-solving ability.
.-= Reeta Luthra | Stress and Health´s last blog ..Be Kind To Yourself: Be Grateful =-.
F iguring
O ut
C omplex
U nique
S trategies
Norman Flecha
Straight Talk
.-= STRAIGHTALK´s last blog ..Effectuation: How Entrepreneurship Really Works by : Dave Troy: Fueled By Randomness =-.
Yes. Focus on what you want to accomplish (the goal) rather than describing and reinventing the problem.
Great post Jim; thank you! The way your reader attacked the answer with a 2 prong approach is key as well. She didn’t just focus on the one obvious answer to the problem at hand (losing a client) but also looked for a 2nd option as well (replacing that loss). Kuddos to her for getting both!
Great post Jim. At my company, I commonly hear new hires described as “great at issue identification.” It’s quite a back-handed compliment meaning that they are only focused on the problem. I work very hard to transform these issue identifiers into true problem solvers.
While the sheep are worrying, the wolves make a plan. Good sentiments Jim, and as Norma says: FOCUS. In the current climate, looking for the positives and for the best way to turn around an issue is the only way forward.
Great post! Focusing on things out of our control sucks our energy and prevents us from doing what we can control…finding solutions!
No truer words has ever been said! If we encounter problems, we shouldn’t waste our time thinking of the various ways it might get worse, but we should try and channel our energies in planning and setting up possible strategies to change the game.
.-= Social Tool´s last blog ..Keyword Reports 1-2-3 =-.
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