Problem Solving: A Simple 10 Step Formula

Step 1 - Gifts

Richard Bach, author of Illusions says there is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in it's hands. We seek problems because we need their gifts. I suggest we seek problems because we need the gift of their solutions.

Step 2 - Quality

Everyone has problems. The only people I know who do not have problems can be found in the graveyard. The goal is to have a better quality of problem. Which problem would you rather have: Figuring out how to pay your bills or figuring out how to manage all the money you are making?

Step 3 - Tools

If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail. We need a variety of tools, not just one. Use your creativity. Believe you do not have any creativity? Do you ever worry? Then you have creativity. Worry is just creativity used in a negative way.

Step 4 - Einstein

Albert Einstein said "You can not solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created the problem." This is what is meant by the popular business saying to think outside the box.

Step 5 - Size

There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to notice and small enough to solve easily.

Step 6 - Sean Connery

In the movie Rising Sun actor Sean Connery says, In our country, when there is a problem, we look for someone to blame. In Japan, when there is a problem, they look for solutions.

Step 7 - 5%

Spend only 5% of your energy on talking about the problem, & 95% of your energy on solving the problem.

Step 8 - And

When solving problems, many times we get caught in either/or thinking. The problem here is that we are limited to only two choices: this or that. The law of and allows us to tap into our creativity & the wealth of other choices available to us. I can do this & I could do that & I could........

Step 9 - Hope

When we get it that there is no hope in solving a problem, we lose any ability to solve it. Hope can be defined as a confident expectation, a certainty that problems can be solved. Babe Ruth said, You just can not beat the person who never quits.

Step 10 - Action

You can read all of the above laws & even post them on your refrigerator. They are just decoration unless you take action and do them. I realize I am quoting a sneaker company here, but you get your wisdom where you can find it. Nike was right, just do it!