PROBLEMS GIVE MEANING TO LIFE

I like having problems. They occur all the time. They occur at work, at home, and in life in general. Most people don't like problems. They would gladly do anything to get away from them. This climate gives opportunity to the leader who is willing and able to either tackle others problems or train them to solve them.  Your problem solving skills will always be needed, because people always have them.

The two things you need to be a great problem solver is the right attitude and the right action plan. The best attributes you can have when solving problems is a positive attitude and enthusiasm.  Positive thinking does not always change the circumstances but it always change the person.  The best thing you can do for someone is to change their perspective on addressing their problems.

The best course of solving a problem is to first identify the problem. Many times, we look at the cause of the problem and not the problem itself.  Make sure you prioritize your problems. They should stand in single file so you face them one at a time.  Next you should define the problem. Ask the right questions, talk to the right people, and get the hard facts. Select the right people to help you in the problem solving process. It never hurts to have someone with the expertise to help you solve your problem.  Finally, collect as many solutions as you can. You can then prioritize them to select the best solution for implementation.  

Problems are good problems to have. Problems keep the creative tension in life you need to be successful. Eliminate problems and life would reduce all possibilities and powers to zero.

Colin Powell said it best. He said " The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you  stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."

PERSPECTIVE: THE GLASS IS REALLY HALF FULL

Life is full of little interruptions. We complain about many things like traffic, slow computers, peoples habits, not enough time, and other  trivial things that get in the way of our rich life.

My mom has cancer. She has been at UCSD Medical Center off and on for the past three months. Because of her illness, she has had difficulty breathing and talking. My mom is getting better and is close to her old self. I think she now appreciates some of the simple things in life like being able to talk to people. I also got a chance to meet some other people who have much different take on life. They too miss the simple things in life and want to go back and have the life they once had.

During my mom's stay, I was having lunch in the hospital cafeteria and a woman in a wheel chair asked if she could sit with me. When she sat down she said a prayer thanking god for what he had given her. I asked her to tell me her story. She told me that she was a former drug dealer and just spent the last three years in prison. She is homeless. She was at the hospital because she needed hip replacement surgery. The doctor told her that she needed to be healthier to survive the surgery. She worries when it rains outside.

She went on to tell me that she had made a big mistake early in life with drugs. It cost her three years of her life and her health. She said she is working hard each day to get back where she needs to be to get her life back. I was impressed with her optimism. I wish her luck. 

I left the hospital thinking how great of a life we lead and how fortunate we all are. I ask all of you to take a minute and reflect on your wonderful life and be thankful for the gifts you receive.