Problem solving

A friend was telling a story about living overseas. She had reasonably nice accommodations, but occasionally while she was showering, the pilot light would go out on the hot water heater. She had a choice to make, either she would take her soaped-up self, wrapped in a towel to re-light the pilot light, or she would be miserable in a cold shower.

This is a picture of what work life is like. We have one decision after the other in order to make choices and solve problems. We can take the extra often time-consuming step to problem solve and make life more bearable and pleasurable, or we can choose to give up and have cold showers for the rest of our lives.

• What keeps you from re-lighting the pilot light?

• Do you struggle with analysis paralysis?

• Do you think, feel, or act first?

Decisions are difficult and often involve multiple parties. Here are some suggestions:

Take a step back and look at the Big Picture

Ask yourself how you can problem solve. What are small steps you can take to make your situation better.

Realize life is a series of Problems to be solved

Ask yourself, “How can I look at this situation from a different perspective?”

Seek Help in problem solving

Ask a colleague or leader to advise.

I’d love to teach you some tools to help you balance your Centers of Expression (think, feel and act) in order to create work environments that are more productive and run more efficiently.