6-Step Solution to Almost Any Problem
1. Describe the Problem.
Preferably do this in writing. The act of putting the problem into words can clarify your thinking.
2. Write Down the Obstacles.
Although I’m a fan of positive thinking, I’m also a fan of research that Dr. Ellen Galinsky, likes to quote. She’s the author of What Every Child Should Know, and her research shows that no matter how positively you think about a problem, you’re less likely to get the results you want if you don’t match your optimism with a thorough examination of the obstacles.
3. Brainstorm Possible Solutions.
Taking into account the constraints you’re working with, think of as many solutions as you can. At this point, the goal is quantity not quality. That’s because bad ideas may spark your imagination and lead to good ideas that wouldn’t have occurred to you otherwise.
4. Stretch to Find One More Solution.
It’s surprising how often the ideas that come when you’ve had to stretch for an answer turn out to be the ones that are the most helpful. The reason is, there’s a good chance that if the answer really is obvious, it would already have been done by now. It’s when you have to struggle and stretch to get a new idea that you come up with the most creative ideas, the ones that not everyone has already thought of, and that have a real chance of solving your problem.
By the way, something to keep in mind at this point: Thomas Edison was right, “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.”
5. Pick the Best Solution.
Now is the time to put on your realist’s hat. Of all the ideas you’ve come up with, choose which best meets the criteria not only of solving the problem, but getting the job done in the right timeframe and with resources that you can put your hands on.
6. Act on it.
The people I know who are most successful have a penchant for action. They’re not only good at thinking of solutions; they’re very good at plunging in and doing them.
Three quotes that express the importance of action:
“To know and not to act is the same as not to know.”
“It’s not what you know, it’s what you do.”
“Done is better than perfect.”
Search Articles
Latest Articles
Iron Will: Ferrexpo Reinforces Ukraine’s Economic Backbone
https://cepa.org/article/iron-will-ferrexpo-reinforces-ukraines-economic-backbone/ Publication –cepa.org
Ukraine’s Fate and the U.S. Election: A Perspective from the Front Lines
https://foreignpress.org/journalism-resources/ukraines-fate-and-the-us-election-a-perspective-from-the-front-lines Publication –foreignpress.org
New Life for Old Ambulances
https://foreignpress.org/journalism-resources/new-life-for-old-ambulances Publication –foreignpress.org
Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Orphans International and James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation Celebrate 25 Years of Global Leadership
https://t2conline.com/prince-mario-max-schaumburg-lippe-orphans-international-and-james-jay-dudley-luce-foundation-celebrate-25-years-of-global-leadership Publication –t2conline.com
Subscribe to Updates
About Author
Mitzi Perdue is the widow of the poultry magnate, Frank Perdue. She’s the author of How To Make Your Family Business Last and 52 Tips to Combat Human Trafficking. Contact her at www.MitziPerdue.com
All Articles
An Economic Time Bomb for Life Insurance Owners
An Economic Time Bomb for Life Insurance Owners View ArticleSearch ArticlesLatest ArticlesSubscribe to UpdatesAbout AuthorMitzi Perdue is the widow of the poultry magnate, Frank Perdue. She’s the author of How To Make Your Family Business Last and 52 Tips to Combat...
A System for Finding Family Business Blind Spots
A System for Finding Family Business Blind SpotsThe Rosy Periwinkle The rosy periwinkle doesn’t look like a plant that’s worth $200 million a year. Except that its flowers are pink, it resembles the blue periwinkle commonly used as ground cover. To the desperate...
My Favorite Post for This Year! Carmen, the Beautiful Carmen
My Favorite Post for This Year! Carmen, the Beautiful CarmenFor a peek inside the fecund mind of legendary hedge fund manager Roy Niederhoffer, come take a look at his analysis of the opera Carmen. Guaranteed, you’ll never before have seen such an original take on the...
A New Way to Engage Next Gens in the Family Business
A New Way to Engage Next Gens in the Family BusinessWhat if Facebook met LinkedIn and decided to have a Family Business baby? In Esrock’s view, people in family businesses have a need for the kinds of information and encouragement that are unique to members of family...
A Not-Secret Sauce for Investing
A Not-Secret Sauce for InvestingYou would think that doing business in Brazil would be an above-average risk proposition, right? Well maybe. But Matthew Wilkens has seen a truly impressive not-so-secret sauce that creates a spectacular exception. Even better, since...
Is the Stock Market Long-in-the-Tooth?
Is the Stock Market Long-in-the-Tooth?Is the current market long-in-the-tooth? Should you pull back because it’s unreasonable to expect the market to keep on reaching new highs? “Not necessarily,” answers Eric Uchida Henderson, CFA and Chief Investment Officer of...