Problems Are Conditions Under Which Growth Occurs
Problems require that we think along divergent lines, move out of comfortable settings into entirely new experiences, and upgrade our skills. In psychology, this process is known as post-traumatic growth- the positive changes people undergo after struggling and overcoming unresolved issues. Just as muscles grow with resistance, people develop personally and professionally when put against adversities.
Famed entrepreneur Richard Branson said, “Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision, and change.” This means that quite few success stories are free of hardships. Instead of avoiding difficulties, embrace them: difficulties set you up for an incredible ride toward success.
Key Strategies to Transform Likely Problems into Opportunities
1. Reframe the Problem as an Opportunity
This means a problem could be an opportunity. So once you arrive at a junction in the road, you ask yourself: rather than think, “Why is this happening to me?”, begin to think, “What can I learn out of this?”, or “How might I turn this into an advantage?”
Example:
Airbnb was born out of a financial struggle. Founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia could not afford rent in an apartment and thus rented air mattresses in their apartment to visitors. This problem gave rise to an idea that went on to become a billion-dollar hospitality enterprise.
Tip: Write out your thoughts, in a journal, concerning a problem that was just brought up-this helps you shift a mindset, so you can see the opportunities hidden amongst challenges.
2. Break the Problem into Manageable Parts
Looked at as huge problems, many would seem gigantic to manage, but once you begin dividing them into equally smaller parts that can be acted upon, tackling them thus becomes easier. That in itself could give way to momentum building in working toward one big problem.
Example:
Elon Musk had what seemed like impossible engineering challenges while he was designing the reusable rocket for SpaceX. Instead of being overwhelmed, the group simply looked into each technical problem separately. This gradual method eventually brought to fruition what was thought impossible-the landing of the reusable rocket.
Tip: Expose the different aspects of your problem and endeavor to solve one by one. Each small victory builds confidence.
3. Develop a Problem-Solving Mindset
Successful people focus not on the problem as much as on the solution. They identify what they can control and find a way to deal with it.
How to Develop a Problem-Solving Mindset:
Analyze: What exactly is the issue?
Brainstorm: Provide options, in whatever realm, that you can think of.
Act: Go for the best solution right away and be flexible enough to make adjustments.
Example:
Howard Schultz tried to introduce a high-end coffee culture in the U.S. via Starbucks. At first, it was a struggle to gain momentum. Instead of abandoning the idea, he reworked his plans and expanded slowly, putting an emphasis on customer experience. Today Starbucks is a mega-player in the coffee business.
4. Learn from Failure and Adapt
Inside every problem is an opportunity to learn, and every failure serves as a prescriptive lesson. Instead of viewing failure as an endpoint, see it as a learning experience that’s drawing you ever more toward your grand success.
Example:
Thomas Edison made more than a thousand attempts to create the light bulb. When asked how he feels about his failures, he replied: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Such a learning paradigm passed through each failure, leading to a wonderful successful innovation that transformed the whole structure of the modern world.
Tip: After unsuccessful attempts have played themselves out, spend some time asking, What have we accomplished here? What went wrong? Can I make some changes that are needed for next time?
5. the Resilience and Persistence
While resilience is a recovery from setbacks, persistence is the determination to stick to it no matter the challenges. These two qualities work together to eradicate problems and propel success.
For example, the first Harry Potter book was accepted by the 13th publisher. If Rowling had stopped after the first rejection, her worldwide acclaim never would have happened. Her story shows the way of perseverance to achieve a goal.
TIP: Become resilient by practicing mindfulness, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term setbacks.
6. Innovations Exchange For Constraints
Some of the best inventions in the world arise from the problems and limitations faced. Constraints force us to think outside the box, leading to some great innovations.
For example: During the Apollo 13 space mission, an oxygen tank exploded aboard, imperiling the lives of astronauts. Time was running out. And there was something like a NASA decision made on using whatever is available and required in order to return the astronauts safely back to Earth. The mission has become a case study for innovation under pressure.
Use constraints to spur your creativity. Ask: What can be accomplished with the resources already at my disposal? Usually, innovation comes to light when we are placed in a restriction.
7. Ask For Help: Use Teamwork
Some problems are too big to work alone. When you ask for help or work with someone else, you challenge everyone to promote new ideas and resources for problems. Never hesitate to bend for advice or get some stuff off your plate.
For example, Steve Jobs is reputed for bringing brilliant teams together to work on the revolutionary products for Apple. Steve understood that it was not solely an individual mission to be successful; it was about working with others and maximizing the advantages of working together.
Your network of people with different skills is a source of creative and workable information. Their experience can help you get to the solution a lot faster or better.
Turning Problems into Success-Mindset
A shift of mindset towards changing one’s relationship with problems might be required.
See Problems as a Part of Your Journey: “When you are on a meaningful pursuit, problems are guaranteed.” That’s one way to say that they are not failures; rather, they are markers of progress.
Celebrate Small Wins: Identify a short time frame within which you reward yourself as you take the smallest steps forward; even if it is too far to see the complete solution, a small win should be recognized and rewarded.
Keep an Eye on the Vision: Whenever problems arise, remind yourself of the ultimate goal. This will help fuel your motivation and keep you on course.
Conclusion
Every problem is an opportunity in disguise, waiting for a proper mindset and effort to transmute it into success. Although there are times when we face professional challenges and personal setbacks, the way we face problems determines our outcomes.
They are not those who avoid problems or steer clear from them; successful people confront their issues, learn something from them, and grow through them. A problem-solving, solution-generating framework might force you to perceive hurdles as something to be overcome.
Next time when you encounter a problem, remember-chest pas la fin, it is but the beginning of something fresh. Impedance is but a prerequisite for converting problems into a form of success with a pinch of creativeness, energy, and endurance.
