One of the main things I work on with my clients is finding solutions. In fact, you could argue that the whole coaching process is about finding and creating solutions that enable my clients to move forward or create positive change.
So essentially I spend a lot of time helping people find and/or create solutions. Whether it’s for a business, your work role, home life, for a habit, your mindset… the process is the same. And contrary to our (limiting) beliefs, it does not need to be difficult!
Finding or creating easy solutions requires just two things of you:
- Asking yourself quality questions, and
- Being willing to try a solution
That’s it.
Yet many of us get stuck and stagnate. Firstly, we assume that the answer is out there somewhere (mistake no. 1) and then we assume that the solution has to be the“forever solution” (mistake no. 2).
Let’s look at mistake no. 1, the answer is out there. The answer to you getting unstuck is actually within you! Yes, sounds cliched but it’s true. A good coach will know how to draw this out of you so-to-speak, so that you become aware of your strengths and the things that have worked for you in the past. This will be done through posing quality questions.
What’s a quality question you can use? Try…
Was there a time when I did not have this issue, or a time when it was less troubling?
(What was I doing then?)
What would an ideal situation look like?
(How can I create that in small steps?)
Often we assume that a problem is all-consuming, but if you look hard enough, you will find “gaps” in your experience where the problem does not exist at all.
Let’s look at mistake no. 2, the “forever” solution.
We’ve all been guilty of this, I’m sure. When we look for a solution, we search for the perfect solution that will apply in all contexts and be a long-term solution. While this approach can be useful in establishing what the long-term goal is, often we really need a “will make it work now” type of solution, rather than the forever type of solution.
How many solutions can you come up with? Make a list. Which one will you try first? Schedule a review after a period of time if the solution needs upgrading or not. A solution that makes something work now will create momentum (where there has been inertia) and can be a stepping stone to a more sophisticated long-term “forever” solution down the track.
So, remember:
Ask yourself quality questions.
Look for a short-term solution first and take action.
If you need help with this solution-finding process, reach out! I offer a complimentary Coaching Introduction Session, sign up here.