Focus on solutions, not problems.

What was the last problem you faced?

An employee issue
A difficult client
Financial hurdles
Competition from another business
Time management concerns

All too often, when facing a problem, the first thing we tend to do is focus on the negative situation. We continue to repeat our patterns, doing the same things that do not work, until we dwell in a feeling of negativity. Many people let their minds wander toward the negative, which then prompts them to focus on more problems instead of searching for ways to resolve the situation and grow from it. You must begin to start focusing on ways to actually resolve the situation by focusing on solutions. Do not just react, take the time to fully analyze the problem then make a list of possible solutions.

Identify the problem(s)
Identify what you did before in a similar problem
Brainstorm possible solutions.
Change what doesn’t work
Find and use resources
Decide which solution is best
Put that solution into play
Build on each successive step
Try to do more of what works
Use an alternative solution if not achieving the required results

Regardless of how bad your problem may be, the solution is there if you think long and hard enough. Not every solution will work for this problem. However, when we start to think of more ways to overcome our problems, we can grow from the situation at hand by being more prepared for the next problem we will face down the road. We can even avoid future problems because if we focus on problems, we will get more problems. If we focus on solutions, we will get more solutions. By being aware and reminding yourself of your list of solutions you just created, you can focus on solutions, not problems.