We all have problems. Some big and some small. And small ones can oftentimes grow into large ones if left unattended.

To some degree, our life and our business is about solving problems. A problem for one person is a business for someone else. We serve others by helping them solve problems.

So rather than look at problems as wrong, bad or something to be avoided, we should look at them as the opportunity they can be—for us or for others.

One of the best strategies I’ve encountered is to redefine the problem. Charles Kettering said, “A problem clearly stated is a problem half-solved.” The way we define the problem has a great deal to do with how we approach its solution. Many times a re-definition will work wonders on opening up the possibilities.

Take for example the problem of not having enough sales in a business. If current revenues are insufficient to handle all expenses and make a profit, one could hardly argue with the accuracy of the stated problem.

But what if we said, “We don’t have enough leads to generate sufficient sales.” Or, “Our customer acquisition costs are too high.” You could also say, “We’re not adequately communicating the value to our prospects” or “Our customers don’t come back for repeat sales.”

There are literally thousands upon thousands of ways to describe any problem. And the way it’s defined leads to significantly different ideas for solutions. The handful of re-statements above all have substantially different possibilities when it comes to generating solutions.

Write down your top problem as you see it. Then brainstorm with your coach or team to re-define it in a way that puts it into a new lens and re-focuses the solutions—of which there are many.

A fresh approach, a new perspective and more elegant solutions await you.

If you would like me to help you re-state and solve a problem, brainstorm an idea, gain clarity on an issue, get advice on a course of action or do a mini-business makeover, I would be happy to talk with you. Just go to this page for the details. It’s guaranteed to work.

And here’s a related article.
The Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems . . .