- Albert Einstein
Previously, I presented a Morning Motivator on the "Definition of Insanity" – when one expects different results from the same actions. I want to play off that with today's MM. The idea of problem solving is derived from a STRATEGIC approach to ACCOMPLISHING goals that do not always have a clearly defined "next step" associated with them. Many times, we are FRUSTRATED by an inability to accomplish a goal, mostly because we fail to look at varying ways in which we can ACHIEVE our end result.
Did you ever play with the peg board when you were a child? You know, the one that has the square, the star, and the round holes with the accompanying pieces. If so, I am sure you remember the day you JAMMED the round one in the square hole and it became STUCK. You then beat it down HARDER and HARDER until it finally went through the square hole. Does that mean it was the right SOLUTION? Really, consider it… you DID accomplish your goal, right?
If you are CONTEMPLATING your GENIUS for jamming the round peg through the square hole… STOP. You were wrong (as was I, as I was notorious for doing that). Albeit a FORCEFUL way to accomplish a goal (much like yelling at co-worker and motivating with fear), there was a BETTER option that was EASIER and more EFFECTIVE. The simple fact is – you FAILED to examine all your OPTIONS fully and have a WILLINGNESS to fail. Sounds a lot like work doesn't it? To change your outcomes… you must change your mind set. FOCUS on SOLUTIONS that breed results – not just RESULTS.
2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
When problem solving, a BEST PRACTICE is to first determine the TIME frame that is required to complete your task. If you have 30 minutes, you will likely make a "gut check" decision and hope for the best (these often work too), however, if you have 10 days until the task is to be completed, you have time to schedule a BRAINSTORMING session and do some ANALYSIS of your task.
By providing yourself the FREEDOM to approach the task with CREATIVITY and an OPEN MIND – you will find that often the round peg for the round hole is simply hidden under all the square pegs. It is not a requirement that 5 days into a 10 day project you be 50% complete. The only thing that matters is that on day 10, you are 100% complete. Use your GENIUS… that's why God gave it to you.
Have a TREMENDOUS weekend – hope to see any Nashvillians at the Marathon and the Crawfish Boil!
Cheers,
Zach
*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com
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