Problems.
We all have them. You know what they are.
But aside from the normal definition of that word, do you know what else are problems?
Your goals.
Yes, your goals.
Why?
Because of the fact that you have to devise a way to attain your goal.
In other words …
… a goal is a situation not resolved …
… a goal is incomplete …
… a goal is something you don’t have.
Thus, a goal is a problem.
And that’s great! Because you can solve any problem by using what is taught in The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel.
It’s all there. And then some.
It’s going to be easy for you. Here are the FIVE SIMPLE STEPS that will help you solve any problem.
- Assess your current situation.
- Define your end result.
- Determine your resources.
- Act!
- Repeat, if necessary.
Keep in mind that these very same steps are to be used on any problem you encounter — from the tangible to the intangible, from the small to the large.
1. Assess Your Current Situation
The very first step to solving any problem is to assess your current situation. You need to know exactly where you are and where you stand.
This can be quite difficult to do, especially when you start to go for your big (and perhaps not as tangible) goals.
It’s difficult because we sometimes run into two difficulties between which we vacillate.
The first is that we sometimes over-esteem our virtues, or “positives.”
The second is that we sometimes underestimate our flaws, or “negatives.”
To add to the difficulty, sometimes those are switched: we underestimate our positives and overestimate our negatives.
Knowing The Master Key System, you understand that to really do this properly, you have to be most “dispassionate” and objective as you assess your situation. You want a very balanced and true estimation of where you stand. You want to have a level head.
As you learned from the exercises in The Master Key System, it’s important to relax, remain clam, and to not let your emotions rule you.
2. Define the End Result
This step utilizes two very important things we learned in The Master Key System:
- Using you power of visualization, and
- Using your power of creative imagination.
Visualize exactly what your ideal outcome is.
In other words, what is your “problem solved” state?
Define it. Be thorough about it.
Use your creative imagination to construct it and visualize it.
3. Determine Your Resources
Determine the resources you have at your disposal — be they people, places, or things — and how they can be used to get you to your goal.
This step might play hand-in-hand with Step #2 (Define the End Result). That’s because your end result may determine your path, which is sometimes determined by what resources you have with which to work.
If your car has a flat tire, for example, you might have a cellular phone, which can be an easy solution to your problem. Then again, you might not have a signal, so you have to check the spare tire. You have to take into account if you’re on a road with lots of traffic or if you’re on a “road less travelled.” Weather conditions may come into play. People available to you may take part. All these elements intertwine in the solving of the problem.
The main point in this step is to use what you have — or somehow get what you need.
It’s important to know what you have and what you need. That’s the central point here.
Also keep in mind what Tony Robbins said.
You don’t lack resources; you lack resourcefulness.
That’s powerful.
Make use of what you have.
And don’t bemoan what you don’t have.
When in doubt, remember MacGyver — and MacGyver something.
4. Take Action!
This step speaks for itself.
Enact your plan.
5. Repeat (If Necessary)
Is your problem solved?
If it is, then you’re done.
If not, then you’ll have to “go back to the drawing board.” You have to evaluate your results — once again, honestly and objectively — to see where the error is.
Does the error lie with you?
With what you’ve done?
Is the plan inherently flawed?
These are just a sample of the questions you’ll have to ask.
The point is to make an honest assessment of where you are now, after you’ve taken action. You might have to try the same exact thing again! Alternatively, you might have to move to “plan B,” whatever that is.
It’s important, though, whichever the case to keep going until the problem is solved.
In other words, never give up!
You can solve any problem — or attain any goal — that comes your way.
Do it.
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One problem you don’t have to solve is where to get great books because the link is right here.