Are You a Problem Solver or Problem Seeker?

I seek problems out, and then create solutions to them. That's what entrepreneurship is all about.

Are you referring to people who look for problems with the sole intention of using those barriers as excuses to not put any effort in to succeeding?

I remember reading a book about creativity and the Japanese way of thinking, in which it talks about how certain culture in Japan do not have such concept of a "problem." In their culture, problems are not seen as a noun to attach any label to, but rather as a verb to describe a phase in which there are opportunities to change and grow.

In contrast with our Western culture, we love to associate the word problem as a noun. We label individuals who have not achieve certain things in life as having "problems." "That fool has a problem!" "You got problems!!!" The same apply to situations in life - a problem can be viewed as a noun, or a verb in which it's part of an dynamic process.

Such notion of viewing the word "problem" as a static entity can impede our creative process to change, be judgmental, and cause us to blame others or events. As such, problems are then seen as a stigma, something or someone to avoid.

However, if we view problems as a positive opportunity to change, it causes us to be creative, seek realistic solutions, seek to expand, and avoid labeling.

In real life and from reading comments on the Internet, they are full of seeing the notion of "problem" as a noun. Such blaming and finger pointing are driven by ego-boost and vanity rather than viewing it as an opportunity to change.

For example, you can visit online forums where Joe talk about his weight problem, poor savings, and low motivation. The "problem" thinker will react by labeling and ridiculing Joe as just being "lazy." However, the "opportunist" view Joe's story as a motive to understand human motivation and provide products and services to help Joe and others out. If there are a lot of problems, it means more opportunities to help and provide services.

After all, aren't the best thinkers and businesses providing about great solutions to GREAT problems?

I do both in order to stay successful and enjoy it. I seek out legitimate problems in order to permanently solve them. This is of course different from problems that I am not meant to solve when it belongs to another or is currently outside my circle of influence. It is important to have a healthy set of priorities while picking and choosing your battles. Sometimes even to play the game is to lose the game.

What you find fault about in others is what you know you have a problem with yourself. You can only see “out there” in the world what is going on within yourself. This doesn’t mean it is as big a problem for yourself as it is for others, nor does it mean it will destroy you as it did others either. It simply means it affects you and to do something about it. A fun example is Batman. Eternally fighting the internal battle to not eventually become who he fights out in the world. The Dark Knight has duly earned his name.

I also keep naming problems as problems. If you do not start with acknowledging the problem as a negative (pain, evil, fear, whatever label you put on it) then it can easily become acceptable. And you don’t have to do anything about it then. We are capable of labeling a problem a problem without being judgmental, condemning, blaming, or punishing. It simply went wrong. And now that we have acknowledged that (maybe some grieving is in order, depending?) we can begin to turn it around. This is a responsible healthy way to see problems as opportunities. Otherwise it is too easy to become delusional into accepting whatever happens happens, every thing is good, and I don’t have to do anything about it.

Good thoughts guys!

How about seeking out OPPORTUNITIES instead of problems?

Different energy behind that seeking mission, which creates a different outcome quickly.

If you feel better about the word you will feel better about the result

Both! I seek problems to solve them.