When you need more juice to solve your problems

So you have a persistent problem, and you need a great solution. How are you going to juice up your options so that you can get at the right decision every time? Here are 4 things you can try to electrify your solutions…

1. Reformat your intent statement

Sometimes, simply rephrasing your intent statement will help you juice up your options. Instead of starting with the word, “To…”, like, “To align operations between two merged entities”, use this format, “What is the best way to… so as to…” like so, “What is the best way to align the two merged entities, so as to achieve maximum efficiencies.” Notice that when we put in the main reason for your intent – to achieve maximum efficiencies – you refocus your thinking away from the action – aligning merged entities – to the outcome. This will allow you to zero in on the best options.

2. Enlarge your perspectives

Many a times, the best solution is not what’s in your spotlight but just outside of it. In the theatre, the spotlight allows the audience to focus on the action, while other activities take place in the periphery, in the dark. By moving your spotlight around, you get to see what is really happening, and this can help you enlarge your perspectives. Here are 7 perspective-shifting techniques that you can use…

Related: 7 perspectives to see your situation differently

3. Work on your centre of gravity

When you are working to solve complex systems, you will often find that the solution that was most obvious does not solve the problem. It may well be symptomatic, and to get at the right decision, you need to dive deeper, and identify the centre(s) of gravity. A centre of gravity is a system driver that impacts other drivers the most. It often attracts the action of many different drivers, and which also impacts may other drivers. If the centre of gravity is pulling your system away from the desired outcome, you’d need to shift it to reinforce the system, giving you the perfect solution.

4. Extend from your constraints

A constraint is not a limiting factor; instead, it is a necessary condition for a successful solution. So instead of saying that you have a budget constraint, which almost always means you don’t have enough money, say that your constraint is $10,000 (for example). This means that the solution to the problem cannot be more than $10,000. This constraint does not stop you from solving the problem; it just gives you more clarity. So, if you need to juice up your options, list out all your constraints, and work from there.

There you are; four ways to juice up your solutioning, and get you to the right decision every time.

I wish you all the best!