Start with the easiest or hardest problems first?

You’ve probably heard the saying: “When you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

Each of us has developed a toolkit of tools and processes which have worked for us in the past. And those are what we use to solve new problems as we encounter them. In fact, we tend to prioritize problems based on how easily we think they can be solved using this toolkit. Problems that don’t “fit” our toolkit tend to get pushed to the bottom of the list. And why not? Subconsciously, we’re prioritizing from “most likely to solve” to “least likely to solve.”

I’d like to suggest that if you want to be successful--both personally and corporately--you need to reverse those priorities. Anyone can use common tools to solve common problems. What you want to specialize in is finding new tools to solve uncommon problems.

Apple faced the seemingly insoluble challenge of trying to survive as a very weak #2 in a PC world. Instead of going head-to-head using conventional tools, they began redefining computers by use--creating the I-POD, the I-PHONE, and the I-PAD. Wouldn’t you like those successes on your resume?

Dealing with the little, common problems can be very satisfying. We all like to ACCOMPLISH. But solving little problems isn’t going help you build a competitive advantage. And solving little problems isn’t going to give your career that quantum leap you dream about.

So when you’re prioritizing, move the “insoluble” problems up the list. You won’t solve all of them; but then, it only takes one to turn you into a hero. Warning: These problems probably won’t respond to a “hammer.” So you’ll need to discover or design new tools. But then you’ll have a bigger toolkit than the rest of the pack, and isn’t that a good thing?

Looking for some help with your “insoluble” problems? Give me a call. I may have something in my toolkit that can help. And if not, we’ll invent something!