What's Your Problem?

We all have something we are working through. Issues, challenges, struggles, concerns, frustrations, whatever you call them we all have one thing in common, problems. Some might say that a problem is just an opportunity in disguise, but I am going to be a little bit more pragmatic than that today. To me a problem is something that requires outside assistance or outside resources.

If I am hungry and there is nothing in the refrigerator to eat, that is not an opportunity to explore hunger. It is a problem that can be solved by heading down to the grocery store or if I don’t have money, reaching out to the many great charity organizations focused on feeding those in need. Or if I am walking in the woods and I fall in a hole that is 10 feet deep. This is not an opportunity to explore my vertical leap abilities. I need a rope or somebody to help pull me out. You might say that this is not the most optimistic way of looking at things, but I would disagree. The optimism comes from knowing that there are solutions to most problems and sometimes you just need to ask for help or let others know you are working through something.

So why do so many of us suffer silently through these challenges? Why do we take our problems and bury them under piles of false smiles? Shame? Ego? Is it what we were taught? I think the honest answer is that in today’s social status driven win/fail world, it is hard to be vulnerable. Nobody wants to showcase that they don’t have it all together or there might be a slight crack in the public persona they have neatly cultivated. But I am hoping that we can treat this like a safe space and people can feel open to sharing their problems.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and then allows you to learn something new.” — Barak Obama

So let me get the party started… I recently parted ways with my previous employer. After 23 years in the advertising industry, I am exploring many options for my next adventure. It’s a scary, yet exciting time in my life.

Here is where I could use your thoughts: Should I try to start up my own business focused on helping small/medium sized companies build/grow/transform, should I focus my energy on trying to figure out my next agency opportunity or should I be looking at client side opportunities?

I love working in the chaos that is Agency life, but at the same time I also think there are opportunities to grow by exploring new opportunities. Over the past couple of weeks I have had so many great conversations with many of you, but I would love to hear what my larger network has to say. Please feel free to IM me if you do not feel comfortable responding publicly. Thanks in advance. I look forward to your perspective.

So what’s your problem? What are you working through today that maybe somebody reading this can help out with? Where could you use a hand? Again, if you do not feel comfortable responding publicly, please send me a separate message and I can post it anonymously.

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