Description

Solutions

For every problem there are a million and one different solutions, perspectives, and approaches. The solution is in the eye of the beholder. No matter what we do in life, we’ll face problems that we have to deal with. I say deal with because not all problems have to be solved. You can take the classic “ignore the problem” approach, let someone else solve it, or a number of different options. In fact, there are more problems than you can solve so you have to ignore some of them, or at least be content with not being able to solve all of them.

Problems often times are opportunities. Problems can show us where we can improve, what’s working and not working, and teach us how to overcome those challenges.

We, as people, tend to be a bit conceded. Admit it. Sometimes we think we are special unlike anyone else. We even more so think our problems are special and unique to us. Now sure, we are all individuals and unique in our own sense. But you might be surprised how similar our problems are. Each and every one of us share at least some of the same problems, from time constrictions, to financial capacity, finding our purpose, etc.

In an effort to solve our own problems, we, or at least I, have the tendency to over-complicate things. We think we have to develop some grand plan with tons of moving parts and have everything exactly planned out in order to solve out problem. However, this is often just not the case.

The solution to any problem starts with your perspective. Let’s take a look at how to approach problems.

If you look at the problem as a huge burden that us unsolvable, then guess what? That problem will be huge and unsolvable.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

Frame the Problem

When faced with a problem, you can either solve it, not solve it, or ignore it.  Every problem is like a coin, on one side you have the problem, and the other you have solutions. Here are a few different ways you can approach a problem.

1. Search for a simple solution. Problems usually aren’t as big as the may seem in the present. Think back to a time when you were faced with a problem. What was it? How did you handle it? What solution did you provide? Looking back, was that problem as big as you thought it was in that moment? Likely not. Most problems can be solved by doing one simple thing. Just one step, and you can be on your way to solving that problem in your way. That might be making that one phone call, paying that one bill, organizing that one LLC, etc. It’s often not a huge drawn out endeavor, no matter how daunting it may seem in the moment.
2. Look at the positive. If you are faced with a problem, take it on as a challenge. Try to find a way that you can turn this negative into a positive. Have to evict that tenant? No problem. Now you get to learn how your eviction laws work, and may even build a new relationship with a good real estate attorney. Have a flat tire? No better time to learn to change that flat than now!
3. Get Creative. Like we mentioned, there are a million different solutions for every problem. Dig deep into that tool belt of yours and find the fix.
4. Understand that you have never experienced a problem you couldn’t solve. This may sound bold, but I challenge you to think of a problem that you didn’t overcome. The fact that you are here today listening to this podcast is proof that you can overcome anything. With that perspective, the problem will pale in comparison to the things you’ve already accomplished
5. Don’t stress.  “If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?” – Shantideva

Find the Solution

Don’t look at problems as defeats or roadblocks....