5 Easy Steps to Solving Your Business Woes (with Introduction)

Author’s note: Tangent ahead.

Business is not all rainbows and lollipops. I was humbly reminded of this by several of the commenters who responded to an article I wrote called 22 Benefits of Owning a Business.

My first criticism which led to a nice email conversation was from a commentor, Kilroy_60, who referred to my article as a “peaches ‘n’ cream” view of business. Pithy words in deed, I thought.

(By the way, inspite of the way it sounds—pithy simply means a brief, forceful, and meaningful expression—not a mean spirited comment.)

In response to a challenge posted by ProBlogReviews, one commenter even wrote a great article countering mine called 22 Reasons Why Owning Your Own Business can Stink.

Now I don’t know if I could really classify my business views as peaces ‘n’ cream but what I am an advocate of is Realistic Optimism.

To be successful in business you must be optimistic. But optimism can lead you down a dark road without understanding the actions that are important to make your hopes and dreams come true.

Thank you to those readers who keep me in check.

Now onto the point of this article…

I do believe these readers in my community have a point. Business is not easy. It is certainly not peaches and cream. But if you are Realalistically Optimistic and are willing to overcome all the obstacles, the things in my article will hold true.

But how do you overcome obstacles in business? What can you do to get to a place of problem solving zen?

There is a method I use to tackle problems and move on. It is a really simple five part process.

1. Objectify.

When a problem arises the first human impulse is to panic. When the problem could effect other people outside of yourself, as will be the case in business often, it is even worse. To really solve a problem you must take yourself out of the center of it and look at things objectively. This means drown your emotions for the moment and think.

2. Handle it now.

The best way to solve problems is to get them out of the way—right away. Don’t hold off on it. Just as if your car is making a rattling noise, the problem will most likely get worse over time. Deal with the rattle before your engine drops.

3. Think critically.

Your options will not always be black and white. Sometimes you need to dive at it head first and really devise solutions. This is where experience comes in handy but everyone has a first time for making particular mistakes.

In this instance, get help with it. I know, you are managing your business and we all have egos. Unfortunately humility is part of the game. There is no shame in asking for help.

4. Weigh.

Once you have your options worked out, weigh them to determine the consequences of each. Then decide by simply picking the best laid plan of action. What will do the least damage? What will be the most effective? The best long term solution?

It is so easy to be drawn into the ideology of quick fixes. I have seen many companies fall into this and it is terrible. It is very much like the Charles Schwab commercial where the Dam worker puts chewed gum on a leak to try to fix it. It will only cause a bigger problem tomorrow.

5. Execute.

The hardest thing you will have to do is flip the switch. All the planning in the world bars only partial impact on outcome. When you think objectively and come up with the most viable plan, there is less chances of more problems. But they do happen so be prepared for it.

Sometime we want to just hold off fixing problems or give the responsibility to others but it is part of the business life and to some (like me) it is an advantage. The feeling you get when you fix a problem and thus move one step closer to your goal is extraordinary.

photo credit: *Rob:doЯ*