The last thing we want is another problem, right? For as long as we can remember, problems are something to hate.
As we moved from counting to adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing, and then on to algebra and more complex mathematics, one thing was constant: we hated working on problems.
As entrepreneurs, we’re faced with maintaining day to day operations, cleaning up messes that exist in our organization, and planning and preparing for future growth. We have a seemingly infinite number of problems that must be solved on a daily basis, and the truth is, it really never ends – but there is a different way to tackle those problems. If having a grand checklist with no open tasks is your goal, you’re in the wrong business.
You’ll always have 98 problems, and if you don’t believe me, then you have 99.
It’s an ongoing process, but accepting this truth will lead you to do something you’ve probably never even considered… you’ll actually begin to value your problems.
That’s right… taking the approach that you will always have a finite number of problems means that you need to fill that space with the best problems, the ones that can have the highest impact if solved.
One of the best way to begin defining your problems is through a goal development process. Goal development is a term that seems silly to most entrepreneurs. It’s the first step, and the one we’re most likely to skip. Without goal development and a clear way-point or destination, however, you’ll never have the right set of problems.
Having all your problems on paper is actually quite a stress reliever:
It seems wrong, doesn’t it? We think of talking about our problems as an act of weakness. We tend to associate the behavior with words like “complaining” “whining” or other generally negative descriptors. The reality is that one of the major components to therapy or counseling of any kind is the ability of the therapist to help the patient get their issues out in the open. In the same way, a great coach will guide you through a process to scour your mind for problems, begin writing them down and then start to tackle them, one by one.
Once you say them out loud and caught on paper, you’ll be surprised how much better you feel.
Having all your problems on one place will allow you to prioritize and define progress:
A major benefit of having your problems in one place is that you can name them and begin to see where they fit in. For instance, having a one-year goal of increasing your sales allows you to create a “problem set.” When you define the obstacles to achieving that goal, you can lay out those “problems,” assign the ones that can be delegated, and work the rest of them into your schedule. Focusing on the right problems during your productive time at work will reap huge dividends.
Developing a problem solving mindset will change your approach to business and life in general:
Having a problem solving mindset will help you keep your head up. Beware, it’s a lonely place to be. Constantly focusing on areas of improvement, future growth, and an increase in quality of life is uncharted territory for 97% of the population. When you begin to be optimistic about the fact that the problems you face are actually opportunities to grow your business, involve your team, and ultimately make more money AND take more time off, you’ll find that you don’t have a lot of peers who think the same way. You’ll need to set aside time to surround yourself with people who think like you.
Some problems will solve themselves
Your brain never quits working for you. When you lay out problems for your brain, it will actually help you see opportunities, even when you’re not consciously thinking about your goals and the problems associated with them. Answers will literally begin coming to you in the shower.
Goal Development + Problem Definition = Business Planning
The goal development process plays a major role in coming up with better problems. When you set a waypoint, and have a clearly defined trajectory toward your goal, you’re able to look at what obstacles stand in your way. Listing these obstacles, no matter how complex, will provide you with the plan you need to get there. The end result is a business plan that defines the high level problems that you need to work on to get where you need to go.
Having a list of goals and developing the “problem sets” that accompany those goals is the best way to develop a dynamic business plan that you can keep fresh at regular intervals.
As an advisor, coach and local leader, Jeremy Overton has spent the last 12 years educating and motivating individuals, families, and business owners who are interested in having a greater impact on their communities, the people they love, and the causes they support. You can connect with him on: Google+