What is a “problem”?

Simply, “it’s when reality is inferior to your expectations”.

Still, it’d be strange if we didn’t have any problems to solve.

Steve Jobs was brilliant for many things. Apple, as a legendary company, was one. Still, the second time he returned as Apple's CEO (1996), the company was only weeks away from bankruptcy. He didn’t create any of those problems, he inherited them from his predecessors. Solved them, he did. The rest is glorious history.

Nguồn: thegentlemansjournal

In 1959, a low-caste Indian laborer’s wife died after an accident because the hospital in town was too far away (55km). The road was blocked by a ridge of hills. The husband didn’t put the ridge there, nobody did. It was a problem for the whole village. Yet, no one thought of solving it. Most think it's impossible. Nevertheless, hoping others wouldn’t suffer the same fate as his wife, Dashrath Manjhi, took it on himself to cave in a way through the ridges. At the start, everyone called him crazy.

After 22 years, using only a hammer and chisel, he carved that ridge into a 110 m long, 9.1 m wide, and 7.7 m deep way while the distance to town is down to 15km. The whole village benefits from it. Now his face is on a national stamp. A movie about him was made. A state funeral he received, a national hero he became.

Nguồn: Change

“Problems” are normal occurrences.

We have expectations, but reality does not always go as we wish.

Especially if you do new things or many things at the same time.

Making it harder, problems always multiply when you are trying to serve others or bring the greater good to a larger group beyond your immediate circle.

“Problems” can be frustrating to have. We can whine about it. We can finger point at others. After all those childish acts, unless we are delusional, it is very likely that it will still be there.

So, the first rule of dealing with a problem is to accept that “There is/are problem(s)” with calm and a sense of responsibility. Those who fail usually don't admit it even though problems happen under their care. Regardless of what you want at work/in life, never turn away from problems; face them.

The one with a better mentality would ask “What are good ways to deal with it?”. “How do we close the gap?”

Sometimes it’s to nudge the owner of the issue to fix it. Sometimes, it’s to provide proactive support and get involved. Some other times, it is to have faith and wait to be asked for help (let them try first).

Remember that solving problems is never about proving yourself, but a call to be humble, to accept that reality is above us, to try harder and smarter, to become better.

That’s how we genuinely grow.

That’s how you inspire and have a positive impact on lives.

Wish you well versed in handling problems.