Solving Problems

Solving Problems

Problems, problems, problems.

Are you, in this moment, totally free of problems?

Are you, in this moment, struggling with one or more difficult problems?

Problems come in all shapes and sizes, and life can be described as a series of problems. We intuitively grasp that the better we are at solving problems, the smoother our path through life would be. If we could be better at solving our problems, that would be something of great value.

The question becomes, how can we get better at solving our problems?

“Good judgment … comes from experience … which comes from bad judgment.” – Mark Twain.

We solve problems all the time … the printer is out of paper, a stopped up sink, missed software requirements, can’t find the remote control … there is no shortage of problems to solve.

It is one of the most important skills we can foster in ourselves and our children.

In this article I want to define our connection to problems, provide awareness of the matching process, introduce basic tools for solving problems, depict the role of resolve in problem solving and inspire you to find your “Big, Burning YES!”

In his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, Stephen Covey defines a habit as the intersection and overlap of Knowledge, Skill and Desire. It takes all three. Knowledge is the why to do and the what to do. Skill is the how to do. Desire is the want to do.

I use this habit model as a tool in analyzing the problem I’m trying to solve.

It is important to match the solution to the type of problem. Life is a series of problems. We sometimes call them opportunities and opportunities are problems in sheep’s clothing.

We solve problems by identifying, confronting and applying discipline. Discipline is doing the solving.

We create solutions that match the problem - knowledge solutions for knowledge problems, skill solutions for skill problems, desire solutions for desire problems and compound solutions for complex problems.

In his book “The Road Less Traveled”, M. Scott Peck describes the Four Tools of Discipline. Discipline Tools are the framework in which we solve problems. When we get stuck solving a problem, it is useful to examine these tools and see where we need to concentrate our efforts.

Delay of Gratification

Willing confrontation and constructive suffering. Are we focused on the right thing and putting the time and resources in to solving the problem?

Acceptance of Responsibility

Owning the problem, the research, the resolution and the consequences. If we think the problem is out there somewhere, or belongs to someone else to solve, our problem lingers and goes unsolved.

Dedication to Truth

Truth = reality. Parsing through the spin to what it really is. If we don’t recognize the problem as a problem, the problem remains, festering, growing and becoming worse.

Balancing

Disciplining Discipline, knowing when and how to use the tools. Balancing is having and maintaining the right mix of Delay of Gratification, Acceptance of Responsibility and Dedication to Truth.

In his book “Managing At The Speed of Change” Daryl Conner relates the story of Andy Mochan. In this story is a message of Resolve & Big, Burning Yes. Before we get there, let’s take a look at No.

No.

“No.” is a useful problem-solving tool. Excellent problem solvers have mastered the use of “No.” in their lives. Many of us are eager to please and find it hard to say “No.”. “Yes” is so much more pleasant – but it can also be much more harmful. Yes has a powerful negative multiplying effect, because when you say “Yes” to something, you are saying “No” to everything else in that moment.

A Big Burning Yes.

We develop the power to say “No” by developing a big burning “Yes” that allows us to say “No” because that “Yes” is more important.

Andy Mochan’s Story

1988, Oil Drilling Platform, North Sea of Scotland, 9:30pm in July. 160 Casualties when the rig caught fire and exploded. Supervisor Andy Mochan jumped 150 feet in the middle of the night into a cold sea of burning oil and debris.

When asked why he took that potentially fatal leap, he said “It was jump or fry.”

He didn’t jump because he felt confident he would survive. He didn’t jump because it seemed like a good idea. He didn’t jump because he thought it would be an intellectual achievement. He didn’t jump because it was a personal growth experience.

He jumped because the price of staying on the platform, of maintaining the status quo, was too high.

The point I want to make in telling Andy’s story is this: The key characteristic that distinguishes a decision made in a burning platform situation is not the degree of reason or emotion involved, but the level of resolve.

To summarize, in this article, I defined our connection to problems, provided awareness of the matching process, introduced basic tools for solving problems, depicted the role of resolve in problem solving and hopefully inspired you to find your “Big, Burning YES!”

We are intimately connected to our problems. We define them, and our approach towards solving them define us. We’ve reviewed the tools of diagnosing, matching, discipline and the concept of resolve.

I challenge you to find your burning platform, your big burning yes that powers your problem-solving abilities and grows your mastery in identifying, confronting, and solving your problems.

Final Thoughts

To circle back around to the quote from Mark Twain

Good judgment … comes from experience … which comes from bad judgment

Carpe Diem!

Be well, stay safe and keep going.

Sources:

"The Road Less Traveled" - Four Tools of Discipline - M. Scott Peck

"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" - Knowledge, Skill, Desire, Habit - Stephen R. Covey

"Managing At The Speed Of Change" - The Andy Mochan Story - Daryl R. Conner