The best answer to any problem is usually the most obvious one. Just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, you probably have everything you need at your disposal to solve your most pressing problem. When I wanted to quit my job I simply called up two customers who I had built websites for and offered them an additional monthly service. They both said yes. I could have done that a year before had I thought of this simple innovation earlier.
You are born with this skill
Children are good at problem solving because they have less noise going on to confuse the situation. They are not worried about the mortgage, the boss or the state of the economy. They just want to eat and sleep. A simple cry will get food.
Pull out a beer coaster (or a piece of paper) and a pen and write down the most obvious answer.
Example of obvious problem solving:
- Need to lose weight = eat less, move more
- Need more money = increase the value you offer customers / boss and remind them often
- Want to sell more = make more offers, learn better techniques
What problem can you solve today with this technique?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
James: You have a remarkable ability to take seemingly complex problems and boil them down into simple solutions. Your example: “Need to make more money — increase the value you offer your customer” is a great illustration.
I believe that one of the biggest problems in the IM community is that most internet marketers are focused on “making money.” Their focus needs to be on adding value, solving problems and building a real business. Making money is a lot easier when you are adding value and solving problems. But it become very difficult and complex when “money” is the primary focus because the individual is simply trying to get — he or she is not “giving to get.”
Clarity of Purpose. My Why is now my Action