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How
to Solve Any Problem That Gets in Your Way
By Jim
Rohn
You know the importance of applying discipline and effort to
overcome any problem that stands in your way.
But some problems call for more than steely determination — they
require you to step back and apply some mental power.
If you’re faced with a roadblock like this, put it all down on paper.
When you write a problem down on paper, you take the emotion out of
it. With the emotion gone, you can look at the roadblock objectively.
You can figure out what you did right. You can figure out what you did
wrong. You can figure out how to change it.
Here’s what you do: Pick a problem out of your head and pull out a
piece of paper. Draw a line down the middle of the paper. On the left-hand
side, jot down the problem in detail.
We’ve got so much going on in our heads that it may just be difficult
to isolate this particular problem. Just state it the best you can.
On the other side of this paper, you’re going to write some solutions.
There are three questions to ask yourself to generate those solutions, to solve
almost any problem.
The first question you need to consider is this: What can I
do?
You don’t want to go any further than that if you can solve the
problem yourself.
Start jotting down any options that come to mind. Lay out the
alternatives.
Then begin analyzing them. “Let’s see, number three… no, that
one would take too long. I haven’t got that much time. OK. Number two? Not
sure. OK. Let’s look at number one. Maybe the one I thought of first is my best
one.”
If that doesn’t seem to work, here’s the second problem-solving
question: What could I read?
Maybe there’s a book on your problem. Somebody may have spent a
lifetime trying to figure out this problem.
You could receive the instant benefit of this person’s advice if you
take the time to look. Maybe it’s concisely written somewhere.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If you do your homework, you
just may find the solution.
Start taking notes on what you’re reading. Book number one: This guy’s
crazy. Book number two: This guy’s too shallow. Book number three: This guy’s
got some interesting things to say about this problem.
If that still doesn’t work, then ask question number three: Who
could I ask?
What should you have ready when you ask somebody to help you? You’ve
got your notes to show them.
You say, “You know, I’ve tried my best to figure it out
myself, and it has left me short. Here are some of the books I’ve read. Here are
my notes. I’ve researched this material, and I’m still confused. Could you
possibly help me?”
You can’t believe how willing people will be to help you if they know
that you’re willing to help yourself.
I promise you, if you try these ideas and ask these questions when
you’ve got a problem, you’ll be able to solve just about anything that gets in
your way.
Excerpted from Leading an Inspired Life
Jim Rohn was an American businessman, a
self-made millionaire before he turned 31, author, motivational speaker and
even Anthony Robbins’s mentor.
The author of dozens of books, Rohn was also
a big believer in the power of self-discipline to achieve one's ambitions at
home and in business. Rohn offered three steps for practicing self-discipline,
which anyone can apply.
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