Through the past 16 months of building a business I’ve learned quite a bit. This short blog is about the lesson that I’m learning now – there will always be problems and once identified, we need to focus on finding solutions.
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I’m writing this blog as I wait for a replacement order of Project Endure crew neck sweatshirts because the original order was not printed to the agreed upon specifications. The problem was identified soon after the shipment arrived and after an hour of frustration I realized that ruminating on problems without an orientation toward solutions was not valuable to me, the business or our customers. This is one simple example of a problem that needs a solution and through the life of the business, there have been hundreds if not thousands of problems.
Going beyond business, the concept of problems and solutions applies to everyone with a heartbeat.
Life is unpredictable, unfair and often uncomfortable; we can’t control that. However, our perspective is powerful, malleable and accessible; we can control that. When problems arise, it’s our perspective that drives performance. If we want to make good use of our time, we need to take ownership of what we can control while surrendering what we can’t. This is all easier said than done, but in simple terms -when issues are identified, action needs to move us toward solutions. Like I’ve written about in the past, we need to stop being cows and channel our inner buffalo.
Find problems; focus on solutions.
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If you’re still reading, I want to let you know that there’s nothing wrong with venting and feeling what you need to feel – we’re designed to experience (not suppress) the full range of emotions. However, there’s only so much that can come from thinking, talking and feeling. In the end, nothing changes if nothing changes and if the beginning of this sentence makes you feel convicted, it might be time to take action and find solutions.
“Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution is called whining.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Find some solutions.
Joe Rinaldi
IG: @joearinaldi
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