PROBLEMS? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO HANDLE THEM?

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” (Albert Einstein)

It is always a good idea to shake hands with common sense. When it comes to problems, with this in mind, it is good to consider that the way we are looking at a problem may well be the problem.

Then give the problem a rating between one to ten. It is amazing how much time and worry people spend over problems that aren’t worth it. So you put on the wrong tie this morning by mistake, live with it…most people never noticed. So someone else in the office is wearing the same dress you are wearing and both of you now know where you shot, the bargain basement. So, it is hardly a world crisis.

When a problem is truly gigantic or coming close, now is the time to start putting some rules in place.

First write down all the options for solving the problem. It will help you to cull our solutions that aren’t worthy of you and focus in on solutions that have a chance at working. It will also keep you from being paralyzed in your decision making and end up doing nothing or waiting so long it is to late to do anything.

Now ask yourself what you have done in the past with other similar problems that have worked or haven’t worked at all. You don’t want to keep repeating old mistakes when dealing with a similar situation.