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Focus on the SOLUTION (What if we ALL did this?)

by drmani
23 replies
Too often, when we see a problem or bad situation persist, it's
because more people spend more time focusing on the problem than
on the SOLUTION.

Many threads are rants or complaints about something. Yet while
the problem itself is explained and described in excruciating
detail, there is little if any effort at outlining a potential
solution.

What if we decided, before we post next time, to first pause for
a moment - and focus on the SOLUTION?

* Have a grouse about a particular marketing style or technique?
Suggest what you think might be better - and explain why

* Think a particular shift in the marketplace has potential to
harm or impact the way things are? Tell us what you believe can
be done to avoid or work around or adapt to the change

* Feel frustrated or angry because what you're doing doesn't
work, or you're not getting anywhere? Explain your goals and
ambitions and dreams - and ask for ideas or help getting there

Often, all it takes is a TINY shift in perception to change the
way a problem or hurdle is viewed.

For instance,
"Can I really make money from PLR content?"
is a sentence construct that is focused on the problem.

Instead,
"HOW can I make money from PLR content?"
shifts the focus to the SOLUTION. It subtly tells your mind that
"making money" is a foregone conclusion... and that you're merely
looking for the means and methods to make it happen!

Also, it frees up your mind to seek creative ideas to do just that.

And overall, it lends a kind of positive tone to discussions that
turn upbeat, inspirational and energizing. There's a tinge of
optimism to the conversation, as enthusiastic entrepreneurs join
to collaborate, support and assist each other towards success -
instead of indulging in a collective orgy of self-pity that does
no one much good.

This is just a suggestion. It would be nice to try it for some
time, as a kind of 'experiment', if you will... and see how it
changes your own perception of forum-based interaction and
brainstorming.

Thoughts?

All success
Dr.Mani
#entrepreneur #focus #inspiring #positive #solution #warrior
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Deegan
    Great Post Dr. M, I agree completely. Over the years I've attempted to make that kind of thinking my natrual process. One thing that I find interesting however and maybe this is just my experince is that people who are problem focused kind of get defensive when a solution focused person presents options to them.

    It reminds of a conversation or debate between a person who sees the glass half full vs someone who sees it half empty...
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    • Profile picture of the author drmani
      Originally Posted by Daniel Deegan View Post

      It reminds of a conversation or debate between a person who sees the glass half full vs someone who sees it half empty...
      Very recently, I got an even more powerful perspective on this glass analogy
      from reading Nicola Cairncross' book, "The Money Gym".

      I've heard of a pessimist thinking of a glass as half empty, while an optimist
      seeing it as half full... but that was the first time I heard of an entrepreneur
      thinking of the same glass as half full of water, and half full of air!

      What a fascinating way to look at a world full of opportunity!

      All success
      Dr.Mani
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      • Profile picture of the author sellerscompanion
        Dr, Mani-

        This is an important idea even in our normal marketing. Lately I have talked with a lot of female marketers who feel like much of the marketing being done out there is more in your face than is necessary when prospects are looking for one problem-one solution. This is a good reminder for us all whether we are just asking a question here or marketing to someone else. We need to be thinking of answers and solutions rather than just being aggravated at our current situation.

        CC
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        • Profile picture of the author Marx Vergel Melencio
          Precisely. Focus on the "how"s over the "what"s, "why"s and "when"s,
          because the "how" questions will draw exacted solutions to those problems
          and those solutions will motivate you to act in order to solve those
          problems...

          Would you rather ask the "what", "why" and "when" questions, only to ask
          another set of "what", "why" and "when" questions after hearing the
          answers in an unending cycle?
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    • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
      Originally Posted by Daniel Deegan View Post

      It reminds of a conversation or debate between a person who sees the glass half full vs someone who sees it half empty...
      There's always sunshine behind the cloud that casts the shadow. Sometimes it just takes a bit more effort than usual to put yourself in a place where you can see it.
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      • Profile picture of the author drmani
        @George Wright

        George, I found that quote while Googling the source of the one
        I shared earlier.

        "Everybody doesn't like something, BUT, nobody doesn't like Sara Lee."

        That's a subtle use of BUT to NOT indicate disagreement with the
        original premise, merely suggest an exception to it!

        @Marvin Johnston

        "But (hi Sara Lee) when a problem involves other people in an organization who give lip service to solutions to either concentrate on or ignore the problems, then what? ... At some point, the solution is to walk away."

        In his nice book called "The Dip", Seth Godin distinguishes between
        cul-de-sacs and dips. A dip is followed by an upswing. A cul de sac,
        in essence, is a dead-end.

        Once you've tried hard enough (and using creative and positive approaches)
        to fix a problem, without success, then depending upon how critical it
        is to fix, one option is indeed to walk away. I've done it, and not
        regretted that choice.

        And then there are some situations which are too important to just walk
        away from. In those, you simply hang in there and try your best. Often
        it is rewarded with success. But sometimes not. Life's not fair, right?!

        @Marx Vergel Melencio

        "Know when to stop solving problems. Sometimes: Some problems can't be
        solved with currently available resources."

        Great point. It reminds me of the famous Einstein's quote:

        "A new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels."

        This has been paraphrased to read:

        "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them"

        In any case, the key seems to be the focus on the SOLUTION, and realizing
        that it won't be forthcoming when viewing the situation from the same
        perspective or paradigm that created it in the first place.

        All success
        Dr.Mani
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  • Profile picture of the author Meharis
    Originally Posted by drmani View Post

    Too often, when we see a problem or bad situation persist, it's
    because more people spend more time focusing on the problem than
    on the SOLUTION.

    Many threads are rants or complaints about something. Yet while
    the problem itself is explained and described in excruciating
    detail, there is little if any effort at outlining a potential
    solution.

    What if we decided, before we post next time, to first pause for
    a moment - and focus on the SOLUTION?

    * Have a grouse about a particular marketing style or technique?
    Suggest what you think might be better - and explain why

    * Think a particular shift in the marketplace has potential to
    harm or impact the way things are? Tell us what you believe can
    be done to avoid or work around or adapt to the change

    * Feel frustrated or angry because what you're doing doesn't
    work, or you're not getting anywhere? Explain your goals and
    ambitions and dreams - and ask for ideas or help getting there

    Often, all it takes is a TINY shift in perception to change the
    way a problem or hurdle is viewed.

    For instance,
    "Can I really make money from PLR content?"
    is a sentence construct that is focused on the problem.

    Instead,
    "HOW can I make money from PLR content?"
    shifts the focus to the SOLUTION. It subtly tells your mind that
    "making money" is a foregone conclusion... and that you're merely
    looking for the means and methods to make it happen!

    Also, it frees up your mind to seek creative ideas to do just that.

    And overall, it lends a kind of positive tone to discussions that
    turn upbeat, inspirational and energizing. There's a tinge of
    optimism to the conversation, as enthusiastic entrepreneurs join
    to collaborate, support and assist each other towards success -
    instead of indulging in a collective orgy of self-pity that does
    no one much good.

    This is just a suggestion. It would be nice to try it for some
    time, as a kind of 'experiment', if you will... and see how it
    changes your own perception of forum-based interaction and
    brainstorming.

    Thoughts?

    All success
    Dr.Mani
    No need to add (IMHO) anything else. Just great.
    Thank you again,
    Meharis
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
    Meharis is absolutely right, no need to try and add to this "Dr. Mani-ism"

    No need to even think about it, just do it and once you start seeing how much better you feel focusing on a solution, it'll start getting addictive and you won't be able to stop solving your problems!

    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Amen - the same goes for all the "what's the problem with..." and "what should I not do" threads....If you focus on hurdles - you get more hurdles...
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  • Profile picture of the author neilshearing
    totally makes sense to me, Dr Mani. Keep up the positivity.
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  • Profile picture of the author matt5409
    you're absolutely right. the reason it persists is because it is a lot easier to come up with excuses than to press on.

    for example, if you or somebody else comes up with an idea, how much easier is it to shoot it down than explore it? it's easy to say "but..." (insert reason for failure) but it's tough to envision a path to success.

    thanks for posting this, as i too often concentrate on things going wrong when i should be concentrating on making things go RIGHT.
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    • Profile picture of the author drmani
      Originally Posted by matt5409 View Post

      you're absolutely right. the reason it persists is because it is a lot easier to come up with excuses than to press on.

      for example, if you or somebody else comes up with an idea, how much easier is it to shoot it down than explore it? it's easy to say "but..." (insert reason for failure) but it's tough to envision a path to success.

      thanks for posting this, as i too often concentrate on things going wrong when i should be concentrating on making things go RIGHT.
      A very powerful story I once read was about (I believe) Sara Lee company.

      As a policy decision, at board meetings and brainstorming sessions, the
      executives prohibited the use of the word "BUT..." - for ANYTHING.

      Amazingly, decisions got made quicker, creativity soared and positive
      solutions cropped up in groups that were implemented productively.

      "Sara Lee was not built on the word 'But' " became a kind of slogan
      inside the company.

      It's powerfully effective to try this practice in one's own life and business,
      too. When you try avoiding the word "But..." in speech and thought,
      you'll find you no longer shoot down some of your own ideas and plans
      - and while some of them WILL be crazy and fail, quite a few will stun
      you by how successful and effective they were.

      And by thinking "But...", you simply would never have known

      All success
      Dr.Mani
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      • Profile picture of the author George Wright
        Originally Posted by drmani View Post

        A very powerful story I once read was about (I believe) Sara Lee company.

        "Sara Lee was not built on the word 'But' " became a kind of slogan
        inside the company.

        Dr.Mani
        It's too funny then that the main jingle for Sara Lee is. "Everybody doesn't like something, BUT, nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.

        EDIT: I might not be Wright here, I'm checking

        Great Thread Dr. Mani,

        George Wright
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      • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
        Originally Posted by drmani View Post

        A very powerful story I once read was about (I believe) Sara Lee company.

        As a policy decision, at board meetings and brainstorming sessions, the
        executives prohibited the use of the word "BUT..." - for ANYTHING.
        My mom could have been a marketing consultant. When I was growing up
        she had a standing house rule for us:

        "NO 'Yeah, buts...' "


        Ken
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      • Profile picture of the author halmo
        Originally Posted by drmani View Post

        A very powerful story I once read was about (I believe) Sara Lee company.

        As a policy decision, at board meetings and brainstorming sessions, the
        executives prohibited the use of the word "BUT..." - for ANYTHING.

        Amazingly, decisions got made quicker, creativity soared and positive
        solutions cropped up in groups that were implemented productively.

        "Sara Lee was not built on the word 'But' " became a kind of slogan
        inside the company.

        It's powerfully effective to try this practice in one's own life and business,
        too. When you try avoiding the word "But..." in speech and thought,
        you'll find you no longer shoot down some of your own ideas and plans
        - and while some of them WILL be crazy and fail, quite a few will stun
        you by how successful and effective they were.

        And by thinking "But...", you simply would never have known

        All success
        Dr.Mani
        Years ago, I was reading something in which the author said that the word "but" negates what was said before it. It made me think. Since then, I hardly ever use "but." Instead, I use "at the same time" or sometimes "however."

        I often observe people's reaction to different usages of my words. It's actually a very interesting thing to do. And, although, there have been times when "but" would have sounded a bit more natural, I have never seen any odd reactions from people when I used "at the same time" instead of "but."

        Generally speaking, I am quite aware of the choices of words I make (I hope this statement won't haunt me). This is not to say that I couldn't improve -- I certainly could. However (or "At the same time" or "But"), it is a fun thing to see people's reactions, and to pay attention to the words they use. You can find out a lot about someone just by listening to their choices of words ... and that goes back to your original post Dr. Mani -- how positive or negative someone is.

        P.S. Well, this post became longer than I intended, "but" ... I mean: True. At the same time, it's also true that I hope this will contribute to some who read it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dunder
    I had a similar conversation with a friend today.

    He continually comes up with "but"s instead of looking for a solution and then implementing it.
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    • Profile picture of the author drmani
      Originally Posted by Dunder View Post

      I had a similar conversation with a friend today.

      He continually comes up with "but"s instead of looking for a solution and then implementing it.
      This post was sparked off by a conversation I had with a friend,
      a fellow cardiac surgeon who is facing a difficult choice in his
      life.

      While he was exploring options during our chat, I noticed that he
      was constantly focusing on what the problems of each option would
      be, and shooting down one after the other - all the while forgetting
      to think about WHERE HE WANTED TO BE at the end of it all.

      And that's the key. What do you want to see as the outcome of a
      period of intense thought or speculation? Where do you want to be?
      How do you want your situation to change?

      Without at least a subliminal focus on the SOLUTION, we're kind of
      doomed to keep wallowing in the problem itself.

      And that quickly gets self-defeating, keeping us stuck in a loop.

      The good news is it can all be reversed by a tiny little shift in
      perspective.

      A shift that's within everyone's capabilities.

      All that remains is to make that choice

      All success
      Dr.Mani
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      Email Marketing Tips | How To Focus Better | Time Management
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  • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
    Focusing on the solutions to problems/decisions we can influence makes a lot of sense.

    But (hi Sara Lee) when a problem involves other people in an organization who give lip service to solutions to either concentrate on or ignore the problems, then what?

    After putting in a great deal of effort to focus on solutions, i.e. getting things done, I found the best solution for me was to leave that organization. Fortunately, I did have that option available.

    I'm sure other have had the same experience. At some point, the solution is to walk away.

    Marvin
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    • Profile picture of the author Marx Vergel Melencio
      Know when to stop solving problems. Sometimes: Some problems can't be
      solved with currently available resources. I am totally blind due to gunshots to the chest and head, so no treatment is possible for now, globally. This taught me to know when to wait and also to know what to
      do and how to do it while waiting for the right time to solve this problem.

      We should all accept certain inalienable truths, such as: Prices will rise,
      politicians will philander, we will all get old, and when we do: We'll
      fantasize when we were young: Prices were reasonable, politicians were
      noble, and children respected their elders...
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    • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
      Dr Mani


      Very inspired post
      Really liked the glass half full, glass half full of air.
      Never heard that one.
      Very good.

      with respect

      Jim
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  • Profile picture of the author lior1970
    It's an inspiring post, you can change the result by changing a point of view and the orientation is actually the same. It's just how we see things from another perspective. And It results so good. A cool share buddy!
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Am I reading you correctly Dr. Mani?

    Are you encouraging Warriors to be leaders instead of whiners?

    Great idea.
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