If you look at a problem as a problem, then that is exactly what it will be. Whereas if you look at a problem as an opportunity, that’s exactly what it will be.
What makes little problems into big monster problems? Spending all your time going over and over what the problem is.
That’s how the monster grows!
So, let’s illuminate the problem monster early.
Follow Pareto’s Law!
Spend 80% of your time focusing on the solutions and 20% of your time on the problems. Instead of spending all your time aimlessly focusing on the problem and reliving the issues, it is much more effective to invest 80% of your time focussed on finding a solution.
Remember: where focus goes, energy flows!
One of the common problems that we see when working with organisations and individuals with complex problems and broken systems, is they consistently ask questions that do not serve them. For example: Why do these problems always come up? How come this always happens? Why is this happening now?
These types of questions will propel the organisation and the individual into an emotional frenzy, of negativity, doom and disaster. These questions are ‘endless loop questions’ and will not solve the problems.
Your brain can answer any challenge, and any problem if you just ask effective questions.
The thing that stops people from being able to deal with their problems and find solutions is an emotional state, known as ‘overwhelm’. If you get yourself into a state of overwhelm your ability to deal with virtually any problem, gets squashed. It all becomes too much to handle, we get confused and make nonsensical decisions.
How Do We Stay OUT Of Overwhelm?
#1 Learn to do the following two things. Learn to associate overwhelm with massive pain. Teach your brain that going into a state of overwhelm is much more painful than dealing with the actual problem. Doing that will have your brain doing anything to stay out of overwhelm. Learn to associate problem-solving with massive pleasure. Your brain and body will want more of that feeling.
#2 Manage your own state. The state we are in has a direct impact on our emotional state. The quickest way to shift our feelings of overwhelm can be done by changing our physical state. When we physically move in a purposeful way, we change our physiology, focus and also our language.
#3 Stay resourceful. You’ve had challenges before, and no matter how tough it may seem, you’ve gotten through them and turned things around as you are here today! Trust yourself that you will find a way this time too. Ask really good questions: How can I? What would it take? What is another approach I could implement here?
#4 Take action asap. Successful people take immediate action. Immediate and consistent action create Momentum. Momentum creates power. If you wait and think that you need more information before you act, you will easily talk yourself out of following through. Even if it feels uncomfortable, TAKE ACTION.
#5 Notice what is happening. When you notice what you are doing isn’t working, change your approach. Instigate your flexibility and adaptability of thought to deal with any problems you may be experiencing. Open your thinking up and ask, what is a different way we could approach this?
#6 Seek out great Role Models. No matter what your problem is, other people have probably already experienced it. Success leaves clues. Seek out these people, go to them and get some of their answers on how to turn things around.
#7 Change your entire belief about problems. Problems, obstacles, and difficulties can be reframed. When we use language like a challenge, the next level of possibilities turns these into opportunities. Opportunities are something we can embrace, find a solution for, be flexible with and create magic. Remember the words we use, create our emotional state.
If we illuminate the problem monster when it is small, it will be much easier to deal with. When we reframe the problem to a challenge, we take the sting out of the impact it may have. When we reframe the challenge to an opportunity for growth we can turn it around to be something that will cultivate a magnificent pathway forward.