The Formula For Solving Any Problem

As accountants, we’re often expected to solve complex problems for our clients, and we do it well. But when it comes to our own personal and professional challenges, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.?

Have you ever felt stuck, not knowing where to start or how to get through a problem? What if you had a way to handle any issue, big or small, with more confidence and clarity??

The truth is, solving problems doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing—it all comes down to your mindset and using the right tools.

The Formula Behind Every Solution

There’s a powerful formula for solving any problem, and it’s called The Model. If you’ve read my book, “The Smarter Accountant,” you might remember me talking about it in more detail. But basically, this formula is one of the best tools out there for solving any problem—big or small.

It’s made up of five simple steps: Circumstances, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, and Results (CTFAR):

• Circumstances: These are just the facts of any situation. They’re neutral, meaning they don’t have any feelings attached to them. Why does this matter? Because when you focus on the facts without mixing in your emotions, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed.

• Thoughts: These are the stories you tell yourself about the circumstances. We all have tons of thoughts every day, and most of them run on autopilot. But here’s the thing: these thoughts change how we see things and affect what we do.

• Feelings: These are the emotions that come from your thoughts. If you’ve ever noticed how your mood shifts depending on what you’re thinking, that’s what this is about. Once you understand the connection between your thoughts and feelings, you can start to manage them better.

• Actions: This is where your feelings push you to do—or not do—certain things. So if you’re wondering why you act a certain way in different situations, it’s usually because of how you’re feeling in that moment.

• Results: Finally, your actions create the results you see in your life. If you look at where you are right now, those results are tied to your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

By understanding this formula, you can start to see how your thoughts are shaping your outcomes. The best part? This means you have more control over your problems than you think.

Now that you know the formula, let’s explore how you can start applying it to solve problems in real life.

Getting Started With Solving Any Problem

Before you can start solving a problem, you need to pick one to focus on. It might sound simple, but narrowing it down can make all the difference.?

Whether it’s a work deadline that’s stressing you out, a difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding, or even something small like organizing your desk—choose something specific.

Step 1: Identify the problem. It doesn’t have to be a huge issue—just something that’s been bothering you.

Step 2: Reflect on how you’re thinking about it. Are your thoughts making it feel bigger than it is?

Here’s the key: it’s not the problem itself, but the way we’re thinking about it that creates the most stress. By shifting your mindset from problem-focused to solution-focused, you’ll start to see a way forward.

Now that you’ve picked a problem to focus on, let’s talk about what’s really happening in your brain when you’re dealing with a challenge. Have you ever wondered why your brain seems to go into overdrive when a problem comes up?

The Brain’s Role in Problem-Solving

Your brain is designed to protect you, not necessarily to solve modern-day problems. This survival instinct kicks in when we’re faced with a challenge, sending us into panic mode.?

That’s why, when something goes wrong, your brain might make you feel anxious, stressed, or even freeze up.

It’s important for us as accountants to understand our brain’s fight or flight response. This response was great when our ancestors needed to run from danger, but it’s less helpful when dealing with everyday problems.

The good news is that once you understand your accountant brain better, you can train your brain to switch from panic mode to problem-solving mode. The more you practice calming your brain and focusing on solutions, the more natural it becomes to handle problems effectively.

But how exactly do you train your brain to handle problems better??

Using The Formula To Rewire Your Brain for Better Problem-Solving

This is where The Model becomes a powerful tool. By using the formula, you can begin to rewire your brain for more effective problem-solving.?

Start by identifying the facts of the problem you picked earlier. Separate these facts from your feelings and thoughts, so you can look at the issue clearly.

Here’s how you can start:

• Identify the Circumstances: Start by clearly figuring out the facts of the situation. What’s really happening with the problem you chose? Separate the facts from your opinions or feelings.?

• Examine Your Thoughts: Once you know the facts, look at your thoughts about the problem. What are you telling yourself about it? Are these thoughts based on fear, negativity, or stress? By becoming aware of these thought patterns, you can start to question and change them.

• Assess Your Feelings: Pay attention to how your thoughts about this problem are making you feel. Are you anxious, frustrated, or overwhelmed? It’s important to realize that your feelings come from your thoughts. This matters because those feelings will influence what you do next.

• Analyze Your Actions: Your feelings drive your actions—or sometimes, keep you from taking any action at all. What are you doing (or not doing) because of how you’re feeling? When you understand this, you can see how your thoughts and feelings are influencing your behavior, and where you can make changes.

• Evaluate Your Results: Finally, look at the results you’re getting with this problem. Are they what you want? If not, go back and look at your thoughts and feelings. When you change your thoughts, you’ll change how you feel and what you do—and that’s how you get different results.

By practicing this process regularly, you start to change the way your brain responds to challenges. You’ll begin to react with curiosity and calmness, rather than stress and frustration. As a result, problems won’t seem as overwhelming.

The bottom line is that solving any problem comes down to how you approach it. By using The Model, you can gain control over your thoughts and feelings, which will lead to more intentional actions and better results.?

Remember, it’s not the problem itself that’s the issue—it’s how you’re thinking about it. With this powerful formula, you’ll be able to face challenges with confidence, knowing that you have the tools to create the solutions you need.?

Practice this regularly, and you’ll see that no problem is too big for your accountant brain to handle.

If you’re interested in becoming a Smarter Accountant, you can take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com.??

If you want to learn more about the formula for solving any problem, check out this episode of The Smarter Accountant Podcast ?? https://thesmarteraccountant.com/the-formula-for-solving-any-problem/

You can also download The Smarter Accountant Podcast Guide at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/podcast-guide/