We have an issue that needs fixing.
If it isn’t fixed I can foresee big problems ahead. I don’t want to go into details but it has caused me to do some research on how to take on problems – especially those of a more delicate nature. After the jump, see the steps I’ve come across that hopefully will help you (and me) to solve almost any problem ….
1) Find a Starting Point
It sounds obvious but it is easier to worry about a small part of the whole problem than to try and consider the whole problem. So focus instead on where you can start.
2) Break It Down
People get overwhelmed – we call it stress these days – when there is a looming project that feels like mountains of work. So look at your problem and break it down into smaller pieces, after all, you’ve already broken it down partially to find your start point. Now we just need to continue on from there.
3) Write Out a Plan
Or mind map it. Mind mapping, for those unfamiliar with the term, is just a modern way of saying brainstorm. By writing out each of the parts, as well as the detail of each part can be a very calming and excellent way to organize thoughts. The more emotional the subject matter the more I find this bit particularly true.
4) Learn Your Limits
I’ve found that people don’t know their limits and tend to keep going rather than admit they need help. When I started in the computer industry I was told never work on a problem where you end up being stuck for more than 45m before seeking help. This adage has helped me to know my limits and more importantly to accept that I have limits beyond which I need help.
Unfortunately, we aren’t all at the same point. But we have to start somewhere and understanding when we have reached our bull quota!
5) Schedule in Breaks
This one is relevant more for practical problems than emotional ones – but you never know it may be necessary to schedule a break if tempers are starting to rise.
6) Getting Over A Block
Occasionally one meets a hurdle and you can’t see your way past it. In which case try and do something entirely different such as taking a walk, play a game, do some exercise and so on. I’ve found the distraction of doing something else entirely bring sudden clarity to other issues.
7) Sleep Is the Best
Never try to tackle a problem without having had a good sleep. Working shifts as I do my children have learnt to stay away from “grumpy dad” – one of my father’s day presents from them was a Mr Grumpy tshirt – when I’m over tired. Whilst we may think we are operating fine, in reality we are well below par and this will always adversely affect any outcome.
It has been shown via experiments that sleeping on a problem really is the best approach. Don’t allow this to become an excuse though.
8) Context and Priority
It’s important to take a step back and look at the problem in its context and to consider its priority. How important is it? Is it worth wiping out years of a friendship? Is it worth the stress? Is it really that big a deal anyway? Try and work out what’s important and if it is then in what time scale do you need a resolution?
9) Take a Deep Breath
This is more than just a psychological step to get you to step back from crisis point, it is a commonly understood that getting more oxygen into your system and following deep breathing exercises will calm anyone down and allow them to focus on what is at hand.
10) Be Direct
Despite everything above seemingly imply that one should tiptoe around the subject matter it is in fact preferable to just state clearly and un-emotionally what the problem is.
….
But what are problems?
- They are a wake-up call to change something in your life or business.
- They are signs or signals from life that it is time to pay attention.
- They are opportunities to look at your life, relationships or career.
- They are life’s way of establishing order and balance in life.
- They give us an opportunity to see life more clearly.
- They are opportunities to grow and/or make better decisions in the future.
- They are unexpected roadblocks that can test your courage or resolve.
- They are an indication of where we might need adjustments in values, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions and interpretations.
Finally, let me leave you with a 10 step approach to dealing with any choice you have to make. I’ve had this list for a while and forget where it came from (if you know please let me know so I can cite it) but I do try to utilise it whenever I have a sticky problem to deal with – and we have one of those coming up on Tuesday.
- How does this choice feel?
- What is the worst that could happen?
- What is the best that could happen?
- Could you live with the worst?
- Could you live with the best?
- Given your history, would you follow-through regardless of known and unknown obstacles?
- Are you willing to move ahead?
- Five years from today how will this choice affect the quality of your life?
- Develop an action plan to carry out your choice/s.
- Begin.
