Life can hit you with a myriad of problems, some big and some small. The greater power can be given to the problem or lie in your response. Some people view problems as puzzles, and immediately begin looking for the other pieces to put the picture together. Others view problems like storms and their first inclination is to look for shelter. Some look at problems with a mathematical mindset and immediately think in terms of setting up an algebraic equation to solve the problem. Still there are others who see problems through a scientific and explorative eye, always looking for new discoveries and experiments.
Whether you take the posture of an investigator solving a crime or an astronaut exploring space, the method you use to handle the small problems in life will generally be the method you use to address the bigger problems as well. As we understand how we generally deal with problems, we can identify new problem-solving strategies. One size does not fit everyone, and one formula does not fit every problem. As our lives become more complicated and our world more intertwined, we face new problems and challenges every day.
If we are going to successfully navigate the new and unfamiliar terrain, we must develop a new discipline. The discipline of the problem-solver, and an evolving discipline of problem-solving, may open new vistas of success for us personally and collectively. Our confidence and competence in addressing problems will affect, and often determine, the outcome. Our lens not only determines how we see a problem but also the solutions we see as well. What do you see?