Learning How to Eat an Elephant

All successful people do one thing: they solve problems. They don’t just stare at a problem and wish it would go away.

The magic key to solving your big, difficult, looming business problems is to break them down into smaller parts, and then deal with these smaller parts. By viewing your issues through this prism, you can focus intently on solving a problem through a series of steps instead of preparing to tackle it all at once.

It’s the old question, “How do you eat an elephant?”
Answer: “One bite at a time.”

Your Seven Steps for Solving a Problem

1. Describe the problem.

Do this in writing. Often, you’ll find that simply explaining the whole problem to yourself will cause you to see the solution. But not always, so if that doesn’t make the situation clear, go on to No. 2.

2. Break the problem into smaller, more manageable parts.

Make a list of the parts of the problem, breaking it down into manageable parts that don’t seem intimidating. If one item on the list still seems too hard, break it down still further into even smaller parts. Then, arrange your list in a logical order according to what to do first, second, third and so on.

3. Write down a list of the obstacles.

This step may come as a surprise, but it’s important. Take a clear, hard look at what the obstacles are and then list them. Being optimistic is a good thing, but no matter how positively you think about a problem, you’ll improve your odds of successfully solving it if you pay attention to and prepare for the likely obstacles.

4. Brainstorm possible solutions.

Write down as many solutions as you can. Be as creative as you can be. At this point, your goal is quantity, not quality. Don’t discount an idea just because it seems stupid or irrelevant. Often, what seems like a bad idea can spark your imagination in ways that lead to good ideas. These new ideas can turn out to be highly creative ones that might never have occurred to you otherwise. (You’d be surprised how often this happens.)

5. Stretch to find one more solution.

Ideas that come when you’ve had to stretch for them often turn out to be the most useful of all. There’s a reason: In many cases, if the answer were easy or obvious, it would already have been done by now. It’s when you stretch to get a new idea that you come up with the most creative ideas – the ones that not everyone has already thought of. The most creative, least obvious solutions may have the best chance of solving your problem. Oh, and something to keep in mind at this point: Thomas Edison was right when he said, “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.”

6. Pick the best solution.

When you’ve gotten as far as you can with the brainstorming aspect of problem-solving, it’s time to put on your Realist’s Hat. Remember, it’s a different mindset at this point. Your job is to figure out, of all the ideas you’ve come up with, which is the best? What solution or solutions best combines: a) solving the problem; b) getting the job done on time; and c) having the resources available for accomplishing it.

7. Act on it.

Surprisingly often, people may come up with a good solution, but they don’t “pull the trigger.” That is, they procrastinate when it comes to implementing the idea. Successful people, in contrast, have a penchant for action. They are not only good at thinking of solutions; they’re very good at plunging in and doing them. They know that the problem isn’t solved until the plan is put into action and completed.
Three quotes that express the importance of action:

• “To know and not to act is the same as not to know.”
• “It’s not what you know, it’s what you do.”
• “Done is better than perfect.”

Skill in problem-solving is invaluable. The best leaders are the best problem-solvers. Invest in yourself by learning to be the best problem-solver that you can be.

Problem-Solving Checklist

1. Have I described my problem in writing?
2. Have I broken it into manageable chunks?
3. Have I made a clear assessment of the obstacles?
4. Have I brainstormed solutions?
5. Have I stretched to find one more solution?
6. Have I picked the best solution?
7. Have I put the solution into action?

Invest in yourself by learning to be the best problem-solver that you can be.