Most people dismiss problems and challenges as “always bad” and “never good”. But life isn’t that clearcut. Many of our biggest breakthroughs come through addressing entrenched problems.
Brian Klemmer, in his book “When Good Intentions Run Smack into Reality”, says this, “That is why problems are your best friends, they help you reach your goals, moving beyond what you could do in the power or knowledge you now possess.”
Here a few tips for getting started:
1. Acknowledge the challenge. Sometimes problems are like that weird uncle at the family gathering, you try to move around the room to avoid the awkward conversation, but eventually it’s going to happen and the avoidance just makes it worse. So it is with problems. Not acknowledging something is a problem, or that you are stuck, is only making it impossible to handle.
2. Gather a team around you. Somethings are better addressed with council, and in groups. Really smart and successful people work in groups, and use each others expertise. You need to get a group around you that can help you address and meet the challenges of the problems you face.
3. Get a game plan. Once you know what the problem is, and you have the guidance and help you need, you can start to map out how you will work on the problems and challenges you face. Decisions have to be made, and it takes time, but you’ll be moving forward on what you once thought was an immovable object.
What are some ways people get stuck on problems? Why do we avoid and ignore obviously challenges in front of us? I’d love to get your feedback.
David Curry
