We spend too much time thinking about a problem, talking about a problem, how the problem is causing more problems, and the broader effect of the issue.
Our brains are very good at problem discovery and problem evaluation, not so good at executing changes to solve the problem.
Consider a problem in your life at the moment, and consider how much time you have spent thinking about the problem rather than taking action on it. I can tell you that I am very solution oriented, and like most guys – I am a fixer.
However, if I am brutally honest with myself – on the much harder, more fundamental shit in my life – I mull things over a lot. I spend probably too much time thinking about the issue, rather than moving forward in any direction in an attempt to make things better.
Many of my closest friends seem to be gripped by the same lack of action, and we tend to take too much time in our conversations playing with a problem like a Rubik’s Cube. I have learned to hold back more so now on jumping into ‘solve mode’ and instead letting the process take hold. This is true at work and at home.
Many of the projects I have had in my career had problems that were especially obvious in terms of the causes and solutions – yet the culture at the time was not ready to work with reality. Things had to play out a certain way to galvanize the culture, be it at the leadership or at the rank and file levels. Thankfully, I’ve become more adept at conveying the issues and root causes to accelerate the breakthrough mindsets and willingness to adopt change without having to wait, passively, for things to ‘play out’ as I used to do in earlier phases of my career.
Outside of work – the pattern is the same – things must ‘play out’ for many of us as we consider our problems. Solving problems takes time, unless you have a hack for a Rubik’s cube or better stated – a known strategy for the solving of it – you will be working on the problem set puzzle for way too long. If you do not believe me on the known strategy for solving a Rubik’s Cube – watch that video right there. Twenty seconds of video, and you will see a kid knock it out in under 6 seconds.
Imagine if there were strategies and simple frameworks like this to employ in your life?
Many times, the apparent Rubik’s Cube is more like an ice cube that needs a freaking blow torch of action blasting on the damn thing to melt it away. It comes down to a willingness to take some action, and being equipped with a strategy to solve the problem at hand. Then again, at my core – I am a fixer …
Well, I believe there are all sorts of very simple strategies to solve complex problems in our lives with more being simplified each day. I did not say that the strategies would be easy – simple and workable is what I am after here.
Today’s post is a straightforward gift that was given to me earlier today, based upon a conversation with a new connection I just made. This person introduced me to Brooke Castillo’s works, and in listening to one of her podcasts on problem solving – this post has been created for you as a distillation of a recent podcast from her.
I absolutely love the simplicity of the message here – it is four steps to freedom from your problems.
As a framework, it is imminently doable and highly actionable. This is my kind of gig.
I’m already employing this approach to the budgetary / financial dimension of my life – which I touched upon in my 7 Whys post.
Here’s the framework for your action:
1) Define the current problem – Use a one sentence description to capture the problem as it is today.
‘Oh shit, I gained 10 lbs on vacation…’ (this is in process at the moment…)
2) Define the cause of the problem – Why do I have this problem? Resist the urge to solution or solve the problem. There may be more than one seeming cause, and that i s
‘I overate overate in the past week.’
We typically fix current situations, yet we do not fundamentally solve the problems. This happens in so many areas of our lives. How frustrating is this for you?!?! For me, it is a major pain in the ass. I am at the point now where if I find myself fixing the same problem for a third time, I am going to attack it.
Hard.
I am not as effective on crushing these recurring symptoms as I would like to be, yet. I know where I need to be, and I’m improving a little bit each day on this front too.
I got this ‘hack’ from the gang over at Asian Efficiency – it is a rule of three. It is part of their productivity blueprint program, which I absolutely love. Anyway – I ‘m digressing…
[As an aside, I believe many times our medical system here in the US is all about treating the symptoms. I have a whole rant here on this, as we seemingly medicate to solve the symptom of pain or of inflammation or of – you name the symptom. More to come on this at a later date.]
3) How to fix the immediate problem – What do we need to do to address the immediate problem, typically this is the most urgent need. This is typically an acute issue that is easily remedied. Many of us are very good at fixing problems. Over and over again, unfortunately.
Here’s an example
I am hungover and I cannot get out of bed. I need to stay in bed and hydrate until I am recovered.
Well that was easy. Problem solved. Until next weekend, when you are raging on gin and vodka, and you burn another Saturday as a puddle of pain in your bed… The fundamental causes are not remedied, and chances are solid – that this problem will repeat again. Drinking is one. Overeating is another. So much pain in our lives is in this loop of repeated attempts at fixing the wrong things.
Symptoms and problem fixes are bound to cause more pain and restriction of options in your life.
The fourth step is the seeming magic, and many times – it requires a third party to prompt the action to break through to this zone of solutions and of true freedoms.
4) Ask yourself – How do I solve the problem in the easiest and most simple manner
Focus on the causes of the problem as the basis for the fundamental solutions. Do not focus so much on the definition at this point – it is well established that you put on the weight over vacation…
Instead – hammer the causes with this examination of how to solve for the root causes.
A couple of trigger questions for this step, and believe me this is hard if you are too close to the problem set you are solving for. I know for a fact that I am in need of coaching for my financial questions – which is why I’m using one via mvelopes right now.
Here are the triggers:
- If I was starting over brand new at this – what would be the solution?
- What is the easiest solution to fix this?
- What would make it such that this would never even be a problem?
- If I was looking at this for the first time, what would I do differently?
- What could I do that would make this not a problem at all?
The simpler the solution – the more likely it will work for you.
If the only solution you can find is a complex one, you have not given it enough time. Simple statements will rule the day here, anything complex here – you will not do it anyway. Let’s be honest okay?
For example:
Hangover – I drank too much is the cause… Here is the solution – Do not drink anymore, no risk of hangovers. The problem is 100% avoided. You have obviated the need to solution for this going forward. This is the type of solution we are looking for. Now, there are always a range of possibilities – let’s develop the various solutions and then pick one or two to employ as solutions.
Another example taken from the podcast:
I gained 10 lbs on vacation, because I overate. Overeating is tied to over desire which is triggered by extra hormones such as dopamine in the body. Now, how do I manage my dopamine fixes without overeating to get them triggered? How can I solution for not really relying upon dopamine surges? All sorts of possibilities here when you understand that the need to binge eat is tied to a chemical you overcompensate for – you can attack that chemical reaction instead of the diet plans or restriction of foods in your pantry. Fascinating stuff.
As you uncover these simple solutions – the final step of this framework is to take some action aimed at implementing these fixes. Any action towards the solution will begin to set the course towards your freedom of these imprisoning problems that are really ice cubes, not Rubik’s cubes…