Sometimes life can seem like one long series of unsolvable problems. I know there have been times when I would much rather find something else to do and quit whatever I was doing simply because it was too much trouble to continue. In fact, earlier in my life that is exactly what I did do. (And to tell the truth, I wouldn't change it even if I could!)
However, I think there comes a time in every one's life when we want a result. This result could be a goal, dream, or some other desirable end result that we are willing to sacrifice for but maybe we just are not quite sure how. It could be that the challenges that stand in the way seem to be too difficult to overcome.
Sound familiar? I bet we all have been there, or are there now.
First, let's agree that challenges we face always look worse the more we look at them and the harder we work to meet them. Especially if these challenges don't go away. Many times we get so close to the situation that we are unable to see all the options.
Here are some suggestions to find more options.
First: Write in a list form everything that you see facing you as a challenge or a problem. Just seeing this information on paper gives you a psychological edge over it because you are aware that you are doing something, taking action.
Second: For each challenge come up with all the options you can think of using a What if? scenario. Do not rule anything out at all!
You can use a positive What if? such as:
What if this problem did not exist? What would that be like?
What if I could really solve this? What would I do? *What if turned this challenge into a benefit? What would that look like?
What if I broke this problem into smaller problems? What would that look like?
Or you can use a negative What if? such as: *What if I ignored this problem? What would happen?
What if I walked away from it, gave it some time and came back? What would happen?
What if I gave this to someone else to happen? Would that work?
Now, you can certainly get more specific in your questions than this. With practice you will get better. Remember that your subconscious might not allow you to consider all options possible. Really work on coming up with all the options available to you - no matter how crazy they may seem.
Once you have all your options, rate them for possibility. Obviously, some will not be usable. Some will be brilliantly simple and the exact answer that has eluded you all along!
Ask for help from friends, coworkers, family or your coach to add to your option, sort them out, and implement the solutions.
The great thing about doing this exercise is that you immediately get a sense that you do have options!
And that in itself solves a big part of the problem.
As always,
Your online Coach and Friend,
Miami Phillips www.creativemasterminds.com Helping owners and entrpreneurs have more profit and less headaches coach@creativemasterminds.com
Quotation of the week: Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness. Shakti Gawain
About The Author
Miami Phillips is an ANSIR Certified Personal Coach and the founder of Creative MasterMinds who believes personal growth is an essential ingredient to being happy and contributing to this world. While his main focus is affordable personal and business coaching, he also offers motivational teleclasses, ebooks, reading recommendations and much more. To find out more visit his site at http://www.creativemasterminds.com or send him an email at coach@creativemasterminds.com
Settling is about not embracing what is best for you,... Read More
When I was first introduced to the profession of personal... Read More
Did you hire a "life coach" to help you sort... Read More
It does make you wonder sometimes, doesn't it? You know... Read More
What are you thinking - right now? 'I'm reading your... Read More
Having a mentor can mean the difference between success and... Read More
Do you have a self-development toolbox? Do you have a... Read More
You can either choose to dwell on what happened and... Read More
What's the alternative to making decisions?Allowing someone else, or circumstances,... Read More
Let me quote something you wrote. "When you reach the... Read More
Of the 60,000 people who lived to be over 100... Read More
Have you ever found yourself in a hurry to leave... Read More
As a therapist, I often suggest to clients that they... Read More
When we see people do things we cannot do, or... Read More
None of us like to think of ourselves as victims.... Read More
Feeling disappointed? It's time to float.The time-honored approach to disappointment... Read More
Have you ever thought about how sheep get lost? Even... Read More
More and more people have less and less time, but... Read More
I don't know why, but it seems we trip over... Read More
"Stop and smell the roses," people often say. Then they... Read More
One of the ironies of mindfulness is that it's still... Read More
Updating my will has been on my mind for quite... Read More
That one guy at work that always has to be... Read More
There is a point at which everything becomes simple and... Read More
A few weeks ago at a "Leadership from the Ground... Read More
You undoubtedly go through this, too. A few times a... Read More
At a recent networking meeting Jana asked for a recommendation... Read More
The other day I was late for something. Not very... Read More
Coaching is an effective process used to support individuals in... Read More
Recently, I worked with a client who was having a... Read More
As I work with clients as their introspective Inner Peace/Relationship... Read More
A friend called me the other day from Lower Alabama.... Read More
Are you one of those folks that needs to figure-it-out... Read More
Of the 60,000 people who lived to be over 100... Read More
Traditionally, mentors volunteer the wisdom of their experiences to help... Read More
The scenario?The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs.... Read More
I know you probably have heard of the movie, "The... Read More
I turned 29 last week, and if statistics are right... Read More
Recently at a Pharmaceutical meeting in Europe, one of the... Read More
What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help?Have you ever... Read More
I show my clients a way to answer the question,... Read More
There are times when we truly look forward to something... Read More
One hour here, two hours there, even fifteen minutes, it... Read More
Early one morning, Robert awoke, made his wife of 41... Read More
Have you ever laid in bed trying to fall asleep,... Read More
How are you progressing with the goals you set yourself... Read More
A positive attitude may bring good health and success. If... Read More
Did you hire a "life coach" to help you sort... Read More
Work addiction is very common in our society today, yet... Read More
Yes, that pillar of society that has been with us... Read More
Coaching Coaching |