Are you the part of the problem OR do you have the solution?

Hmm...I think this will be a small blog. Ask yourself before complaining...and try to get the genuine, true answer. Are you the part of the problem OR do you have the solution? Which side are you on? The side of the problem OR the side of the solution. If you find yourself on solution side, you don't need to go through this blog. But if you are one of those who are complaining and doing nothing...please continue. No- I won't be telling any advantages etc of being on either side. I would just put forth my stance and ideas.

Let's go!
We come across a lot of situations in workplace when we hear
Hey, I am late on this report, Can you help me with the other one?
I don't know how to do this...
I am not able to do this
How did you do this?
I know that you know but I don't know how to do this? Please help!
I tried and tried but the Code is not working.
etc...etc...
Doesn't it seem like that people don't have time AND they see a shortcut to complete the work in YOU
OR you see someone as the Know-All guy!!

A Chinese proverb says Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. This approach is well and good in certain cases where problems are in a limited domain or of a certain type. You tell someone how to solve those problems, and the approach. If he has some understanding, he won't bug you more.

But in this fast changing, rapidly shifting world - The problem doesn't come alone....It comes in as problemSSS [in all possible shapes & sizes & severity - You may add more S's if you like]. So it is ineveitable for you to skip someone , for whom you solved a problem, when he comes in with a brand new issue.

The problem lies in the mindset of the troubled one. Why does a person prefer to lie as a part of the problem AND not on the solution side? There might be a plenty of reasons...You can find those motives by seeing the situation from the perspective of a third person - who is neither the troubled guy nor the solution guy! [Leave this exercise if this is not understood].

So what we have discussed in this blog is the problem. You may well say that we are discussing only the problem THOUGH the blog aims to move from problems towards solutions! It's not the case, let me assure you. Let's come to solutions then:
1)It has to be inculcated gradually. Mind you it needs will power to strive solving a problem.Try solving problems yourself - Make 'Asking someone' as the last resort.
2)Build up confidence and improve brain power. See my blog on Stepping Up of Brain and on building confidence.
3)Try to find answers...See here.
4)Now come to the most action packed point: If a problem is troubling you, try to view it in its basics. Try to figure out in black and white- What is needed and what is available. What are the ways to accomplish the job and what are the pros and cons for each way. Then try to build logical blocks to solve the problem. I am short of example right now but will add as and when I find it.
5)A third person's view of the problem also helps. You can easily locate the faults in your approach from this perspective. Also helps to avoid the problem being blown out-of-proportion.
6)If possible, try to think out of the box!! This might come with a relaxed mind.
7)Ideally, this should be the first point. But I am mentioning it in the last. You can say it as strategically placed.:) The point is Don't be overwhelmed by the problems! Believe in yourself. Problems are meant to be solved, right? Have faith in your capabilities.
8)Take the help from someone who you think might help. Make sure you also get to learn the approach of problem solving from him. Though I might be contradicting myself, but in certain cases, it is not good to re-invent the wheel. However, you should know how to build a wheel if need arises.

I had thought the blog will be short, but...Sorry for that.
I sincerely hope that few of us move from the 'PART OF THE PROBLEM' side to the 'PART OF THE SOLUTION' side and instill the instinct -the knack to solve problems. After all, that's what the problems are made for.

Cheers!!