Is it Really So Bad? Putting Problems in Proper Context

"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." - Unknown

Like that small pebble in your shoe that just bothers you, often times it's a very small problem that gets the bulk of our attention, distracting you from what is really important.

Unfortunately for many people, the 'small problems' take up a disproportionate amount of bandwidth and sometimes overshadows the positives, leading to unnecessary levels of anxiety and lowered performance. 

In my executive coaching practice, I talk with my clients about their issues and concerns on a daily basis. And while some issues are very serious and require immediate and focused attention in order to solve, most are just mere annoyances that will resolve themselves, like simply getting rid of that pebble in your shoe. Let's be clear... small problems can become larger problems if not addressed, However, in some cases those small issues get in the way of true progress and growth, and in celebrating all that is good.

Case in point, I had a client who runs an enormously successful business in the retail space. She built her business from the ground up, and has experienced significant YoY growth by working hard, offering tremendous value, and making smart and strategic decisions. Customers give rave reviews and employees are engaged and happy. 99% of her business was operating at the highest levels of proficiency. However, there were a handful of 'average' and maybe just a couple 'poor' reviews from customers that came through and got her attention.

Of course, like any successful business owner, her first inclination was to focus on the bad reviews, and make immediate corrections in the areas that were criticized. The bad reviews weighed heavily on her, and impacted her mood and motivation in a negative manner, which was 'felt' by her employees and impacted morale.

And while this reaction to negative inputs can be understandable, in our executive coaching session I had her look at the bad reviews in a proper context from a more global perspective. The truth was that out of literally thousands of customer interactions, there were only a few 'bad' reviews. In other words, less than .01% of people had a 'bad experience', with most people applauding their experience and giving high marks to the company! This 'reframing' of the scope of problem not only helped her in terms of solving the issue, it also helped her regain her excitement about everything that is going so well within her business.

The point here is to be cautious of not letting very small issues overshadow the overwhelmingly positive things happening in your business, and in your life in general. Much like looking at things as 'glass half full', Work to put everything in the proper context to evaluate the true impact of a negative event while keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Let's talk about making better decisions and problem solving for your business. Schedule a time with me here, and let's talk about moving your business forward.

Troy Jacobson is a high performance coach for CEO's, Executives and Teams. Learn more about his services and schedule a free consultation at www.troyjacobson.com