The Art of Doing: Why Problem Solvers Beat Problem Talkers

One type of person approaches a problem with a "How can I make this work?" mindset. Another type of person enters the same situation with a position of "What are all the reasons this wouldn't work?". The first person will need to solve the problems that actually occur and grow with them, while the second person won't even step up to bat. No challenge, no growth - simply a plethora of problems dreamt up before even starting.

It's really easy to kill ideas when they are still in the crib and full of holes. Scrutiny is good, but there needs to be some good-will in taking the first few steps with an idea before throwing it away. Too often have I resuscitated an old idea because we did not work with it enough initially.

The journey to a solution may be unclear or uncertain, challenging or simply painstakingly long. The ultimate form of preparation is not planning for a specific scenario, but possessing a mindset that can handle uncertainty. Before a new, big challenge I never once thought "I know exactly what I will do and how I will do it. What I thought was: "I can figure it out. I will deal with it". It really goes back to extreme ownership and accountability. To feel end-to-end responsibility for figuring how what and how you will do something. You - and not some other person or department - is responsible for solving your problem. The world is malleable and you can reconfigure it in your favor by pursuing answers with passion and drive. The solution you are waiting for will not appear out of thin air. And more often than not problems escalate and spiral out of control if you are passive for too long.

Going to the moon used was once an analogy for impossible. History teaches us that is unpredictable who the winners and losers are. The people who give up always lose - and there will always be a reason not to do something.

Be a problem solver, not a problem adder.