Problems come in all shapes and sizes. There are too many to consider. Their one uniting feature is that we all have them. Phew!

Some of us pretend we don’t have a problem. I think that’s called denial. A problem in itself. Some of us have too many or can’t prioritise one. Overwhelmed perhaps.

Most of us make some kind of attempt to solve our problems. Those of us that don’t become victims to them. We feel powerless to the world and paralysed.

Laser focused
I facilitated a session last Friday with ten high-performing coaches and facilitators (no pressure). The purpose of the session was to get help to solve a problem that we have. What struck me at the session was that everyone was crystal clear on what their problem was and what they needed most help with.

1. They had all thought about it.
2. They had prepared something to focus the group on.
3. They were open and ready to move forward.

Because we were able to clearly articulate the problems, the help was high quality and we moved through lots of people’s problems... fast and furious.

It’s like we were laser-focused. I guess you would expect this from a group of coaches whose job it is to help leaders get clear and identify options for a better future. But my reflection is that we need more of this if we want greater success.

Stop spinning the solution wheel
I want everyone to get laser-focused. I see so many in my network that aren’t. Consequently, they aren’t getting where they need to be because they are playing roulette with potential solutions and ill-defined problems.

Ask yourself what is my problem? Am I clear? Has it been defined well and have I sense-checked that this is the right problem to solve now? How do I know?

It feels like a no-brainer I know but: if you aren’t clear on your problem, you aren’t going to solve it. And so many of us aren't clear which is why so many projects and changes fail.

Playing Roulette or Planning Right?
Don't play Roulette and gamble with solutions that might solve your problem. The chances are they are solutions, but not yours. Put some thought into it. Ask yourself what is really going on? What is the root cause and what conditions create that?

Consider your options and weigh up the cost/impact/benefit of the solutions BEFORE you embark on one.

You might actually find that you have been trying to solve the wrong problem or that it’s not worth solving now that it’s clearly defined.

Consider how you could get help. A colleague. A team member. A coach

I would love to hear your reflections. Are you solving the right problem? How do you know? And what does the solution look like with your new clarity?

If you want help to get LAZER FOCUSED on your problem, then book a free 30 minute laser session with me now.

What EXACTLY is your problem? Get laser focused.