New problems, old problems

Most of the challenges we face are things we’ve faced before. It might be a personal situation or a business one, but it’s not new.

If what you’ve done before works, it’s not a problem any more.

If you need to stick it out because there’s no other way through it, it’s not a problem, it’s a situation.

But if you think it’s a problem, then the hard work is deciding to try something new, as opposed to the predictable but unsuccessful path of doing what you did before.

That’s not the same as the challenge we face when a new problem arises.

A new problem doesn’t need fresh thinking, it needs clear awareness. We can begin by acknowledging we have a problem, identifying the constraints, the boundaries and the assets involved.

And then we can go to work to solve it.

Because ultimately, that’s our job. To solve interesting problems.