Problem Solver = Winner!

I have a friend who keeps running into problems every now and then but still calls himself lucky!

Surprised? So was I but let's understand why he says so. I asked him one day, "You keep running into problems and still you say you are lucky, are you okay?" He replied, " I can't be more okay than this!"

It was his explanation after this line that changed my perspective toward him. He was not just positive about learning from his mistakes but told me that, if one is facing problems and is successfully overcoming them every day- one is surely growing.

He proved to me with his career trajectory how his problems and his ability to find solutions to them opened doors of opportunity to grow.

That is when I started to observe this ability in the candidates that I have been interviewing over the years because I realized not just from his example but from the growth of other successful professionals that problem-solving is by far the most basic skill that one needs to succeed in their profession.

Whether you are in academia or a corporate or even in an entrepreneurial venture problem solving is an inseparable skill for an individual.

People might judge you for not having a settled work day. But what kind of a growth-oriented person must have a settled workday?

A person who has a workday looking like a roller-coaster ride has a higher probability of success than the ones who have a settled workday, as the former would solve more problems than the latter and would get more achievements under his belt.

But to be one effective problem solver, you need these three tools in your arsenal:

1. Presence of mind: the ability to keenly observe and notice details that one can use to find outcomes.
2. Solution-oriented approach: Whenever one comes across a problem thinking of the problem doesn't solve it, thinking of solutions does.
3. Be a calculative risk taker: A risk taker who can analyze and predict the outcome of his risk is the best problem solver.

Therefore, take risks, go the extra mile and be adventurous and be a winner!