I have always prided myself by ability to solve problems. I believe that is why I gravitated towards a career in consulting and financial services. In my previous career as an operations manager, my entire day was spent identifying or responding to problems and then finding viable solutions.
There are a few simple tools you can use that will help you solve your small problems before they become big problems. I include my top five below:
1. Identify the real problem, not just a symptom of the problem. The biggest mistakes I find in problem solving are that people solve the “symptom” as opposed to the “core problem” and then are confused as to why a problem continues to reoccur. This is a classic case of not asking the simple question, why? Let me give you an example.
Jane has a common cold. She takes medicine to contain the coughing, the runny nose etc. Has she cured the problem of the cold? No, she has just treated the symptoms. To prevent a reoccurrence she needs to determine why she got the cold. Has she been getting enough sleep, eating properly, avoiding potentially contagious situations? Let’s assume Jane has only been averaging 3 hours of sleep in the week leading up to the cold so her immune system has been compromised. Is this the core problem? Not really. Why has she not been sleeping? Seems they are shorthanded at her business so she has been forced to work double shifts to maintain production. Is this the core problem? I suspect it is not. Why are they shorthanded? We will end this example here but you can see that by asking the question “why” you can begin to understand the cause and effect relationship, and solve the root problem, that creates so many symptoms as a result.
2. Right the problem down on paper and then brainstorm possible solutions. Writing things down helps for clarity. Look for solutions you can implement immediately.
3. Talk to other people. There are others that have already been through what you are experiencing. Can they share how they handled the problem or provide you a new perspective? Don’t go it alone when you don’t have to.
4. Take action. Deal with the situation even if it is a series of baby steps to accomplish the ultimate goal. Problems disappear when planning is replaced by action.
5. Get bigger problems. One of my favorite lines when my spouse begins telling me about her problem of the day is “I guess if that is your biggest problem then you have a pretty good life”. I can’t say that to clients but that is often the way I feel. Some problems are so small when you look at the big picture that it is best to just to deal with it and move on without a lot of fanfare and effort. “Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember that it is all small stuff” The solution to small problems is to find bigger problems to occupy your time, or as I like to call them “opportunities”. The difference between a problem and an opportunity is all based on perception and finding the positives that you can create as a result.
If you want to grow your business, or grow as a person, you need problems. The trick is can you find the opportunity in your problem? It is there for you to prosper from.
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