doug smith training

Can you solve every problem? Of course not. Some problems need more time, more resources, more miracles. Sometimes the best we can do as a leader is not to make things worse. Even if you can't solve a problem there's no reason to magnify it. Look at that problem from the viewpoint of someone who just doesn't care. Does it look different? Is it really a mountain or simply a molehill (of course, if you've ever had moles you know what kind of problem that is). Will any of it matter a year from now? If yes, get busy. If no, breathe? -- doug smith  

What looks like the root cause of a problem may have roots of its own. Keep digging. The rush to solve may leave things unresolved.  -- doug smith  

Every problem leads to an outcome.  Some you want and some you definitely do not want.  You're going to prefer the outcomes of the problems you solve. Don't you think so? -- doug smith

  Emotions can get in the way of solving problems. Stirring up anger, or fear is hardly ever helpful. But what if even in the toughest of situations we solved problems with love. There can't be too much love, can there? And the supply is always renewable and inexhaustible if we stay with it. Problems solved with love stay solved longer. We also feel much better about the whole thing. What do you think? -- doug smth 

Trying to fix a problem from the past could cause a problem right now. When it's done, let it stay done. -- doug smith 

You could think of it as the ostrich effect - putting your head in the sand to avoid a danger. You can't see it anymore, you don't notice the discomfort, but it's still there and you're still exposed. Overlooking the complexity of a problem does not simplify it -- or solve it.  As uncomfortable as it may be, we need to face our problems with courage, deal with them using our creativity, focus on our goals with clarity, and show compassion for anyone effected by our course of action. When problems are complicated we need not hide. It's better to rise. -- doug smith  

Maybe it didn't turn out \exactly as you planned. Maybe the problem is still clanking around in the background or even right in front of you.  There you are. Calm. Focused. Centered.  Centered problem solvers are OK even if their problem is not yet solved. -- doug smith  

Simply buying some one's solution solves one problem but it might not be yours that it solves. Consider the source. Consider the agenda. Consider the ramifications. Centered problem solving could take longer, but you'll like the results more. -- doug smith 

We tend to claim that we don't want problems. Let's just keep it smooth. Let's not rock the boat. And yet, worry and anxiety and low self-esteem can produce an unlimited amount of concern. There must be a problem, right, because there always is a problem? It's hard to talk yourself out of a problem that you talked yourself into. What do you tell yourself about your problems? Maybe that's a place to start. -- doug smith  

Problems are discouraging. They slow us down. Often a problem will confound us. Problems can polarize us into immobility if we let them, afraid to make any decision because it might make the problem worse. Keep solving. Keep analyzing. Keep working on better choices. A problem won't stop you if you don't stop. Keep going. -- doug smith  

 Problem solving builds strength and clarity. -- doug smith

Be careful of an answer that feels automatic. What if the obvious solution is an illusion? Problems seldom create their own solutions without magnifying the problem.  Just because you can't see an agenda doesn't mean that there isn't one... -- doug smith 

Ever work on a problem so long that you've got a half of a dozen solutions buzzing around like bees near a flower? What if those bees are really wasps? What if the value of your solutions is less than the lessons of the problem? Yikes! We can't solve a problem until we let go of the solutions that don't work. To get started, let go. -- doug smith  

How does it feel when a problem lasts for a long time? Have you ever had a problem that lasted so long that it seemed like it would always be around? When a problem is not solved or managed it must be endured. We can do better than that. -- doug smith  

It's amazing how many problems stop being problems once we are centered and calm. -- doug smith 

Take your problems seriously, then take them away. Find out what it is about the problem that is standing in your way. What is it that you really want? What is your goal? Once you convert your problem statement to a goal you've opened the door to a thousand new possibilities. Your answer is in there. -- doug smith  

That extra tough problem might need multiple solutions -- in fact, its probably does. -- doug smith  

Problems need not prevent positive outcomes. It's what we do with them that matters. -- doug smith  

The change we embrace is the change that solves our problems. Maybe not the first time. Maybe not the second time. But, eventually. Problems need change. -- doug smith

We can't hide from a problem. It will find us. Every single time. -- doug smith