Problems With No Solutions
You, me, and we are not short on problems. And most problems get a bad rap.
I’m not talking about the big-bad-ugly-stifling-life shifting-dark hole problems - those problems are terrible and not to be dismissed.
I’m talking about the tiny to medium sized problems; the ones that range from an annoying buzzing in your ear to getting eaten alive by mosquitos when you’re allergic to their bites type of problems - the ones you can shoo away in the short term to the ones you cannot think of literally anything but them.
Problems are hurdles; they are obstacles on the way to your goal. Problems are red flags letting you know that what you are currently doing is not working. Sometimes when you ignore them, they go away; most of the time, they just continue to grow in the background until they must be dealt with. And you deal with them by coming up with solutions.
A solution is the antidote to your problem and it’s WONDERFUL. It’s wonderful because it means you dealt with the problem. You took a step back, looked at the issue, and came up with a solution either around it, through it, or by obliterating it. And THAT is power.
No one is saying a solution is easy - sometimes, sure. And sometimes…not so much. Not all solutions will work or work long term. Trial by fire is not ideal, but it’s a possibility.
What will never ever work and will always fail is presenting a problem with no solution.
First, it’s trite. It’s Kindergarten stuff - if you’re going to present problems with no solutions than all you are really doing is throwing a tantrum.
Secondly, it’s unprofessional and showcases your lack of inability to do much more than entry level work.
Thirdly, and perhaps most important: why? Why would you want to be the person who no one can depend on; the one that “clocks in and clock out”; the one that really gives nothing back to the team or the culture.
The answer is, you don’t. You’re (most likely) not like that in your personal life or other aspects that you consider vital and important.
If you are not finding that in your current role, explore the reasons why and have an honest conversation with your boss on how you would like to change things - and if that is a dead end, do some critical thinking to figure out what you really want to do, and change your path.
Become the solution. Always.
