e-tip no. 81 – problem solving or solution finding?

This may sound like a bit like semantics but given that the language people use directs your attention which would you prefer to be focused on?  The problem or the solution?  Some examples of the difference are:

• Cutting back or generating sales
• Managing debt or increasing income
• Reducing stress or being relaxed
• Dissatisfied customers or having a constant stream of happy customers
• Reducing product failure rates or increasing product reliability
• Unhappy and unproductive staff or having productive and happy staff

Problem solving tends to have the emphasis on going round and round in circles on the problem, and sometimes that can be useful – to a point.  But for many, dwelling too long on this creates a position of ’stuckness’ and a dificulty in moving forward. And there’s a quick way to get to the bottom of this at my e-tip no. 76 and then finding the starting point to move on

In contrast, a solution finding focus directs the mind’s attention to generating longer term solutions rather than quick and temporary fixes.

And just making this small ’semantic’ shift can make a huge difference to your resourcefullness.

Today’s experiment

• Pick a problem you’re wrestling with.  It may one of the above.
• Instead of focussing on the problem, restate it as how you’d prefer it to be, or the future position you want to be in
• Now make a list of 10 actions or solutions you could take to move towards this future position
• Pick one off the list and take action on it within 24hrs.  Then another, then another, and keep generating ideas and taking action on those.  Go with the feedback from your ideas and actions, refining and improving these as you go along.  Involving others in the process usually helps too.

Until next time…

Anthony

©Anthony Davis 2007. All Rights Reserved.