Trace the source of challenges

Challenges are constant, so understanding the cause of problems will always lead to better solutions. Many times people do not succeed in figuring out the right solutions because they don’t understand enough of the source of the challenges. Here are a couple of steps to help you zone in on what to deal with.

Define what problem you’re trying to solve: Defining the problem is half your problem solved because unless you know the ‘’bull eye’’ you are trying to hit, you’ll be taking shots in the dark. Aim to understand what lies behind the issue so that you can gain clarity and perspective because the key to overcoming your challenges lies in addressing the cause. Define a systematic and deliberate process for handling the problem as well as ensure you keep learning to avoid recurrence.

Check how often you’ve met this challenge: If you keep meeting the same challenges over and over, especially if they seem to be emanating from yourself rather than from external influences, you must take some time to understand where and why this is the case. When you face the same obstructions over and over, there is most likely something within yourself or your approach that needs to be modified; otherwise, you will keep hitting that wall. However, this is not a reason to ‘camp’ on your problem and not move till you feel you have cracked what the issue is. It has to help you place your finger on what the problem is so that you can address it properly.

Review how you’ve handled the challenge before. If you have faced this challenge before, think about how you handled it then and what to do differently this time round. If this is the first time, you need to identify the specific approach. If the challenge seems complex, consider what you could do quickly to ease the immediate pressure to work out how to solve the more complicated aspects of resolving the issues.

Now take action: What recurring problem do you need to approach differently?