Focus On The Solution, Not The Problem

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So the next time you face a difficult problem...

The longer we travel down this road, the more problems we create for ourselves in the process.

Not Perfection

Strive for Progress

Find the "Bright Spots"

Look for similar problems you've faced before – how did you solve them? Why did they work?

You can learn far more from your solutions than your problems.

A "Bright Spot" is a time in the past that you or someone you know faced a similar problem and solved it.

How we typically approach problems.

Spend our time and energy finding justification for that blame.

Try to find someone or something to blame.

Get emotional about poor results.

Once you understand the problem, turn all of your focus toward working on the solution.

*Use the arrow keys to start.

Focus on concrete, objective factors – specific behaviors, environment, resources, etc.

Follow these steps to a solution.

#7 Solve the problem.

#6 Create a plan to replicate your success.

#5 Find your "Bright Spots."

#4 Use the lesson to improve.

#3 Learn why the problem occurred.

#2 State your ideal outcome.

#1 Remind yourself of your purpose.

Replicate your solution.

It just needs to get you closer to your target.

It doesn't have to be a perfect match...

How can you replicate your "Bright Spot" solution to solve this problem?

This is "The Influence Pyramid."

It represents where we spend our time and energy when trying to solve problems.

This process allows you to learn from your problems, instead of getting frustrated by them.

How we should approach problems.

Use the lesson to improve.

Learn why we didn't achieve it.

Remember what we were trying to accomplish and why.

Unfortunately, most of us get the pyramid backwards.

Instead of helping the solution.

We spend most of our time trying to correct the problem...

This is especially harmful when when we feel like the problem is "someone else's."

This doesn't mean ignoring problems. It means approaching them in the right way.

Focus On The Solution, Not The Problem.

Sources

3. Heath, Chip, and Dan Heath. Switch: How To Change Things When Change Is Hard. London: Random House Business, 2011.

2. Heath, Chip, and Dan Heath. Decisive: How To Make Better Decisions In Life And Work. London: Random House Books, 2014.

1. The Anatomy Of Peace: Resolving Heart Conflict. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2006.