Eight simple rules for problem solving

If the root of all confidence is the knowledge that you can solve whatever problem you encounter, here is The Adaptive Navigation Blueprint For Potent Problem-Solving. Please use and enjoy:

  1. Know that you have the answers in advance. They just haven’t been revealed to you yet.

    Continually believe that you’re about to have a breakthrough. (Truly believing that you have the answer in advance will program your sub-conscious to assist you.)

  2. Consciously love the problem. Be grateful for it. It’s about to take you to the next level. (Problems are like work-out sessions for the brain. You need them to stay strong and supple.)
  3. Clearly define the problem, so that you and your stakeholders can genuinely understand not just the problem, but all the satellite issues around the problem. (In many cases, a problem well defined is a problem solved.)
  4. Express your desired outcome in a way that motivates both you and your stakeholders. (Know what you want and make sure that it really excites you and your stakeholders. Desire accelerates delivery.)
  5. Identify at least three ways of solving the problem — no matter how outlandish they are. If there are more, go for it. Don’t get frustrated, stay fascinated. A lateral arabesque is often better than a frontal assault. (The more options you have, the more wellbeing and sense of abundance you’ll experience.)
  6. Evaluate the upside and downside of every option based on your desired outcome. Use your intuition, experience and available information to make a firm decision. (At the start of the process, commit to making a decision by a certain time and then commit irrevocably to the decision. This alone can guarantee you success.)
  7. Execute the decision with fierce conviction. (Once the decision is made, invest yourself fully in implementing it. Anything less will condemn you to failure.)
  8. Assess the astuteness of the decision and then constantly course-correct as you go along. Do not become emotionally attached to the decision. (It’s not the actual decision that determines your ultimate success, it’s the spur to action followed by relentless adaptation.)

Mike Lipkin would be delighted to share your points of view. So please e-mail them to me at [email protected].

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Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

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