Problem Solved - Problems Aren't The PROBLEM

byKingRodric

220 followers

Updated 7 years ago

What is a problem? We cannot move forward until we define this famous word named, "Problem."

A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome, not planned, unexpected, harmful and usually unwanted and need to be dealt with and overcome. Pain is a problem. Pain is an excellent example of something unwelcome or unhealthy.

Regardless, the problem is a problem that has a solution. In most case, there are countless solutions. In other circumstances, there are not many options.

1+1 is a problem.

1+1 is a very different problem, but it has something in common with traditional problems. We need to FIND (an/the) answer to solve the problem, but how do you determine the answer?

We can just add 1 + 1. The answer would be, two. Right?

"Easy Peasy"

Yep, simple when put this way. Add baby mothers, bills, mother-in-laws, and everything else into the equation, and we are back to reality, right?

The first question I asked was, "how do you determine the answer?" If we can answer that, we'll be one step in the right direction. The answer to that question was simple.

Add 1 + 1, and that equals 2. Simple.

So why is a relationship, personal, & business related problems so complicated? Simple. We make it that complicated, but it's easy to fix. Just like the math problem. It's true that some issues take a little longer. Some even are more complicated than others, right? BUT....

There is a SYSTEMATIC approach to EVERY problem. This is common with mathematical problems. True or False?

Similar to any mathematical problem; we need to find a solution. This rule applies to every other traditional problem.

Examples of Problems:

Bills, finances, school, children, car issues, law & order, businesses, employee's, employers, family, planning, relationship's, religion, in-laws, etc. I'm sure you can name some problems... Would it be difficult to make a list? Probably not!

The first thing you need to determine. Is this really a problem? If there is a problem am I defining the right problem. You can think you fixed a problem and it comes right back. Don't list the symptom of the problem as "The Problem." Businesses lose a lot of money when they treat ill-defined problems.

Real-World Example: (Business World)

I was a Regional Sales Manager that had a lot of wealthy friends. Among my many friends, one own a large chain of hotels. He was the CEO of the corporation he founded. We happen to cross paths at a convention or a workshop somewhere in California. He invited me out to lunch to catch up. While we were eating, he mentioned the issues that were soon to cost his company $42-million.

He explained to me that his hotel guest was complaining about how slow the elevators were during the busier hours of the day. Customers said, "they waited so long for the elevators it was a better option to take the stairs ten flights." He knew he faced losing business or simply pay to fix the problem.

I asked, "how are you going to solve the problem?" The CEO said he had his team working on a solution for months and it was time to take action. The solution was to build another elevator shaft on the opposite end of the hotel. The cost of the job was $2.8-million per hotel. He decided he would contract and fund the project in 30 days. This agreement would only cover 15 of his 135 hotels. I had a week of free time because of the convention we attended. I asked him if I could spend maybe a week at one of his properties to see if I could find a solution. He was overly excited because he knew I liked challenges.

I was leaving my suite one night because I had a date. I was running late because I couldn't decide what I wanted to wear. This meant I spent a lot of time in the mirror 2-hours before the time I should have been downstairs. I left my suite 10-minutes late, so I'm very impatient. (Everything is rushed.) I get to the elevators, and I am trying to see myself in the reflection of the elevator doors and.........

It hits me as soon as the bell ring and the doors quietly slide open. I couldn't tell you who was near the elevator or how long it took the elevator to arrive because I was caught up in the reflection of MYSELF. This hotel doesn't need new elevator shafts, and the problem is not the elevators.

The elevator is the ill-defined problem. The REAL problem is the complaints. How do I stop the complaints? Put mirrors near every elevator. If the complaints don't stop, they will reduce significantly. Problem solved.

My friend fired the team who nearly cost him his company. He paid me $10,000 as an incentive. They installed mirrors in all 135 of his hotels. One month after the installation the complaints ceased.

Moral of the Story: Create a system to fix problems. Be sure to define the problem accurately. Then Solve.

Remember, after you define the correct problem; list EVERY possible solution. This means the solutions that are outside the box. Solutions that are impossible. Tabulate the solution that is unbelievable. Brainstorm different solutions. This step seems obvious, but we have some of the greatest inventions because of this process. We have evolved as a race of human beings because of this unique skill. Think Waaaaaay outside the box.

Once you have your options, you must create the "pros" & "cons" for each decision. You must create a plan A, B and C for each solution you have tabulated. This method will take time, but it is worth it at the end of this process.

Then, weight ALL of your options and pick the best 3 decisions. You instantly have plan A, B, and C. Also, you have a plan A, B, and C, for plan A, B, and C.... I'll show you an example below:

Original Plan A

Backup Plan A | Backup Plan B | Backup Plan C

Original Backup - Plan B

Backup Plan A | Backup Plan B | Backup Plan C

Original Backup - Plan C

Backup Plan A | Backup Plan B | Backup Plan C

You'll have three original plans with nine backup plans.

Now that you have picked the very best solutions for that particular circumstance you can move on to the next phase. Remember, I mentioned, "we make problems more difficult?" I'll explain why.

The mindset in which you choose to use that makes the problem-solving task simple or complicated. HOW? How you respond to the situation is your decision. No matter how you answer the problem; the problem still needs to be addressed and fixed. So, why look at your situation in a negative manner?

The problem has done enough damage alone. The problem all by itself cause some effect on your position, right? Well, that's why it's a PROBLEM. Why make it worst?

Let's get down to business. You have only two decisions. 1.) look or view the problem in your mind's eye in a positive way 2.) picture the problem in your minds eye in a negative way. This is the first step: to confront your address sub-consciously. Am I going to be negative about this or positive? Regardless of the one you choose; the problem exist and needs to be addressed. However, the negative mindset could cause more issues versus approaching it hopeful and open minded.

Make that decision, first.

Negative Mindset or Positive Mindset

NOW, look at the issue. Define the real problem. Lists your options. After you have the problem all figured out you can make the best decision on dealing with the issue.

"I tell people never to allow a problem to be bigger than you or you automatically lose."

What does that mean? If you don't have options or a solution you are overtaken by your situation. Never, never, never allow this to happen.

"How can I be bigger then my problems?" Simple. Always have a solution. Look at the problem in a positive mindset. Is it safe to say, "A problem is not always a problem." Definitely not if you can find a solution. Problems usually push us in the right direction.

Example:

I want to go to the mall. I am at my friend house, and I don't know the area. I don't know which direction to take. I leave his house going to the right. I hit a dead end. I cannot get there leaving his house from the right. The dead end means I'm going the wrong way. Naturally, we would turn around and. (Go the other way.)

Problems are not always a problem. They are taken that way. Steve Jobs said, "you cannot connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect the dots looking back."

There is no way to know that; if you never got fired from your last job you would never have become a wealthy man/woman as a real estate investor. You imagined that to lose your job was the end of your life, but time proved it was the beginning. Think Positive.

What exactly is being positive? Finding favor, joy, happiness, and delight in something or everything. Not allowing yourself to feel stressed or overwhelmed. Staying excited, happy and smiling while you don't have a reason.

Stay positive is not easy but if you focus on staying upbeat you'll be able to deal with life a lot easier.

You'll never rid yourself of problems. There will always be a problem to solve. Since you're going to have problems all your life why not be a good problem solver? There are books you can read. There are courses you can take to become a better problem solver. My experience made me $10,000... Imagine all the inventors. Their creations fix problems or made things easier and convenient.

A good problem solver looks for problems to solve.

Example:

A Doctor, Lawyer, Auto Mechanic's, Police Officers, Fire Fighter's, Business Owner's, Managers, Boards, Instructors, Trainers, and the list goes on. These are people that fix problems in their professional industries. You can be a problem solver too.

Look for problems in your life. Is it hard to find an issue in your life? Accept the challenge and find a system for yourself to fix any problem. Remember to be bigger than the problem because a problem is not always a problem.

"Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you'll never have any time to criticize others!" -C. Larson