This is a continuation of my thinking from my previous post, “Shift”.
In Shift, I spoke about the common trap of people focusing too much on what’s “broken” and what isn’t working, and the larger need to see the entire story.
There’s often much that IS working well in these difficult areas.
I’m expanding on this idea. This comes directly from the “field notes” in my brain that I’ve collected through experiences with many wonderful, courageous clients.
When you’re looking at a problem area in your life–personal, professional, relational–you’ll naturally do what everyone else does . . . dissect it and try to identify its causes (well, that is, if you actually accept that there IS a problem!).
Sounds pretty normal. And potentially helpful, too–we can’t solve problems that we don’t first understand.
But here’s something to add to your problem-solving repertoire: instead of only looking at when “it” DOESN’T work, I recommend you also look at when “it” DOES work.
Look for the exceptions to the problem. And ask WHY.
In other words, when things ARE going well in your area of frustration, WHY is it going well? What’s happening that ISN’T happening when things AREN’T going well–what are the ingredients that lead to this better result?
Something’s different in the context perhaps. Or, maybe YOU’RE doing something differently, or someone else is, any of which can lead to different results.
For example, if you’re part of a team at work, and this team has perpetual conflict, what’s actually happening that’s different when the team is getting along and working well together?
And don’t just say, “what’s different is we’re not arguing.”
We know that! I want you to consider WHY your team’s NOT arguing–what’s happening to make it so? Is there are a more positive attitude present collectively in the group? Is someone missing? Is there someone new? Is it close to the weekend? Has there been a positive event lately that the team still feels aglow about (e.g., team bonuses)?
If you’re trying to improve a situation, resolve a frustration, or fix a problem, make part of the diagnostic process an identification of “the exception”, and what’s creating this exception.
Those ingredients are filled with insight that will help you solve your problem.
Find the exception, and what makes it the exception. Then, do these things that create the exception more often.
You’ve just amped up your problem-solving abilities, though you may not appreciate the power of this technique.
Test it out for yourself.
Cheers!