Life is a puzzle. It's full of millions of problematic pieces which don't always fit together in the way that it seems they should. From a distance, the puzzle just seems like one huge mess and this can be overwhelming.
However, when taking a closer look at the puzzle, we can see that one edge might align with another; and slowly over time we can start to re-build the puzzle into a clear picture. In business this is called taking an analytical approach. And while it is still important to see the overall picture of the business; we still need to be able to take closer look at each problem whenever it arises, in order to resolve it.
Here are some steps to solving problems:
1) Write down the problems:
By writing the problems down on a list, they become manageable facts rather than the emotional mess that they often become in our mind.
2) Break down the problems:
Which problems cannot be solved? What can be done now? What can be done later? What has to be done at a set time?
3) Putting each problem in it's place:
- Start by taking the problems that can't solved by you and find a way to forget about them. I find that prayer often helps with this.
- Take the problems that don't have to be done now, but have to be done or addressed at a set time in the future; and apply them to a calender or date book and then forget about them.
-Take the list that can be done later at any time and set it aside until the problems that have to be taken care of now have been resolved.
-Take the final list of problems that need to be taken care of now and start by addressing the easiest and quickest problems on that list. After this is done gradually work down the list completing each one. If any problem on that list is too big, break it down again into manageable problems.
- If you are able to and have the time to address them return to the list of problems that can be done at a later time; and start working through those problems.
Side notes:
- Some problems are larger than others and require more time to be taken care of.
- Conflicts and communication break downs should be addressed immediately. They can call everything to fall apart in an instance.
- If something doesn't feel right, go through all your problems and make sure your not missing something. One of the best pieces of advice I ever had was from a karate instructor. He said,"If something doesn't feel right check it out. Is looking stupid worth more than your life?"
However, when taking a closer look at the puzzle, we can see that one edge might align with another; and slowly over time we can start to re-build the puzzle into a clear picture. In business this is called taking an analytical approach. And while it is still important to see the overall picture of the business; we still need to be able to take closer look at each problem whenever it arises, in order to resolve it.
Here are some steps to solving problems:
1) Write down the problems:
By writing the problems down on a list, they become manageable facts rather than the emotional mess that they often become in our mind.
2) Break down the problems:
Which problems cannot be solved? What can be done now? What can be done later? What has to be done at a set time?
3) Putting each problem in it's place:
- Start by taking the problems that can't solved by you and find a way to forget about them. I find that prayer often helps with this.
- Take the problems that don't have to be done now, but have to be done or addressed at a set time in the future; and apply them to a calender or date book and then forget about them.
-Take the list that can be done later at any time and set it aside until the problems that have to be taken care of now have been resolved.
-Take the final list of problems that need to be taken care of now and start by addressing the easiest and quickest problems on that list. After this is done gradually work down the list completing each one. If any problem on that list is too big, break it down again into manageable problems.
- If you are able to and have the time to address them return to the list of problems that can be done at a later time; and start working through those problems.
Side notes:
- Some problems are larger than others and require more time to be taken care of.
- Conflicts and communication break downs should be addressed immediately. They can call everything to fall apart in an instance.
- If something doesn't feel right, go through all your problems and make sure your not missing something. One of the best pieces of advice I ever had was from a karate instructor. He said,"If something doesn't feel right check it out. Is looking stupid worth more than your life?"