Do Not Get Stuck - Move Forward
A difficult problem can easily become a roadblock so large that it seems impossible to get around it. The result is often procrastination. The longer the problem is in place, the more you become convinced there are no solutions. Here are a few simple steps you can use to skip your problem, a concept I introduced in my article last month.
1. YOUR PROBLEM ISN'T THE REAL PROBLEM
Often, you can't see the real problem because you're blinded by what you perceive is the problem. By skipping what you perceive is the problem, you are free to discover the real problem. For example, the pharmaceutical company mentioned last month thought their problem was not having the budget to hire a large number of scientific and technical researchers. But when they skipped that problem they saw that their real problem was being able to find molecular solutions. Therefore, forget about what you think is the problem. If that problem simply didn't exist, what would be the real problem? Often the real problem (and solutions) will surface once you eliminate the perceived problem.
2. THINK IN TERMS OF OPPOSITES
Often, the opposite of what you perceive is the problem is really your solution. For example, if your problem is "saving money," what's the opposite of that? Spending money. So instead of focusing on how you can save money, try focusing on your company's spending. When you focus on the spending and alter your company's spending habits, the "saving money" solution becomes evident.
3. LOOK AT TECHNOLOGY FOR HELP
Today's technology offers a wealth of options for solving numerous problems. Can't find a good typist for your company? How about using dictation software? Need a way to get more ideas for your products or services? Use the Internet to connect to customers via online surveys. Look at what you need done and find a technology solution to automate it for you.
4. PEEL THE ONION
Think of your problem as the top layer of an onion. To find the problem, you need to peel it back by listing the components of the problem to see if you are working on the correct issue. Often you'll find that the core issue you're focusing on isn't the one that's causing the most pain, but that a sub-issue is truly at the heart of your problem.
5. FOCUS ON ONE ISSUE AT A TIME
Sometimes a problem is complex and has many components working against you all at once. In fact, many problems are made up of multiple problems. You'll be better able to see the real problem (the one you should focus on) when you separate the other problems.
SKIP TO THE FINISH
Every problem has a solution – some better than others. By asking yourself if you can skip the problem completely, you free your mind to look beyond the roadblock. That is usually where the solution lies.
Daniel Burrus, one of the world's leading technology forecasters, business strategists, and author of six books
Copyright 2008 Author retains copyright. All Rights Reserved.
