Did that title make you do a double-take? It was intentional. Today’s book recommendation — “What’s Your Problem?” by Thomas Wedell-Wellsborg — is all about reframing your perspective and changing how you view your problems.
By the mere fact that you’re alive in the world today, it’s a given that you probably think you have loads of problems. And maybe you’re right. But are you really focusing on the right ones?
The answer to that question is probably no — and this is especially problematic for business owners
Are you solving the right problem?
The core message of “What’s Your Problem?” is simple: most people skip straight to finding a solution instead of analyzing whether they were asking themselves the right questions.
Why?
As the author says, “the problems we’re trained on in school are often quite different from the ones we encounter in real life.”
Fortunately, there’s a solution: reframing. Many of us get confused about what our true problems are because we misinterpret symptoms of the problem as being the actual problem.
How reframing works
Interested in reframing your problems? Of course you are! Whenever we view our problems, we’re already “framing” them by default, without ever meaning to do it. Reframing is all about changing the lens.
There are two options: breaking the frame and exploring the frame.
To break the frame, you need to take a step back and try to stop framing the problem at all. It’s harder than it sounds!
Or, you can try to explore the frame straightaway and look for new angles to the problem — but this will always involve breaking the frame to an extent.
If you do this properly, you should find that what you’d previously identified is actually one of the following:
- A pain point
- An unreachable objective
- An impractical “solution”
Reframing step-by-step
Thinking the advice above sounds a little vague? Don’t worry — the author also provides a more concrete framework for how you can begin the reframing process.
Just follow the seven steps below:
- Frame what the problem is and who or what is involved in it
- Look outside the frame (breaking the frame)
- Check you’re chasing the right objective
- Look for areas where the “problem” isn’t as extreme (or absent altogether) to help you find a solution
- Ask yourself if you’re contributing to the problem by how you’re acting or tackling it
- Consult others for additional perspectives to aid the reframing process
- Once you’ve begun the reframing process, carry out some tests to narrow down the possibilities. Don’t just rely on speculation!
So, what is your problem?
You might agree wholeheartedly with the premise of “What’s Your Problem?” — but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any easier for you to identify what your core problem is.
Sometimes, bringing in a third party to help you sift through the clutter and hone in on what really matters can make all the difference. At Gema Consult, we’re used to helping small businesses redefine their goals and refine their management styles. Why not schedule your consultation with us?
Author
World-Class Banking and Big Four Expert – National Press Columnist
Tiffany is at the forefront of her industry as a Regulatory Compliance, Business Operation Technical Advisor, Finance & Accounting Process Designer for pre-opening and improvements. She has followed this up with a distinguished ten years of consulting track record.
Not one to be satisfied with resting on her laurels, Tiffany took her years of experience and love for finance and channeled it into a rewarding career in the hospitality and tourism industry. This change of environment breathed new life into her career and is what brought about the beginnings of Gema Consult.
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