How many times have we watched a fly repeatedly, frantically hurl itself against a window pane, trying to escape and reach the outside that seems so close? My guess is we’ve all watched this take place and thought to ourselves, “How can that fly be so stupid? It’s hitting its head against the glass, time and time again and going nowhere. Won’t it ever learn? That’s no way to solve a problem.”
I bet we’ve done this very same thing. No, we most likely didn’t literally bang our heads against a window or wall, but we have performed an action, seen that it wasn’t working, and then do it again (and again). I know I have. In fact, that’s my usual method for assembling items that come in pieces, with instructions to “insert tab A into tab B”…and so on. I’ve done it with my computer. I want a certain thing to happen, like sizing an image by pulling on the do-dad icons in the corners (using high-tech terminology), and it doesn’t work! I’ve been assured it does work. I’ve even seen it work when somebody else did it. So, I try again. And get the same results. So what do I do next? I do the same darn thing, even though I know it didn’t work two times before. Will the third time be any different? Could the old saying “third time’s a charm” actually be true? Duh. No! The outcome is the same. I am sure something is wrong with the computer. So I go get a diet coke, hoping the computer will straighten itself out while I am gone. My problem solving is similar to the fly.
Why do we go through life repeating actions that didn’t work before and don’t have a chance of working now? I think it’s due to narrow thinking – our repertoire of responses is so small, we don’t see other options, we’re thinking inside lines we’ve created for ourselves – and fear – we’re afraid we’re going to make matters worse by going outside our familiar comfort zone. You’ve seen the quote, “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you always got.” Now, there is some truth in that saying!
So how do you get out of the one-way-Wanda (or Willy) syndrome? Here are some ideas to help you become a better problem solver.
- Get comfortable with failure. Most things we do wrong or that don’t produce the outcome we want will not cause the end of the world. As Thomas Edison said on his 1000th (or 10,000th, depending on the source) failed experiment, “Now I know 1000 things that don’t work.” That can be as valuable as getting the “right” answer on the first try. It can open your eyes to seeing new things in new ways.
- How do you stretch your comfort level? Fail more. Take more chances. Try new things. There’s another saying, “If you haven’t failed, you’re not trying hard enough.”
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t make you look stupid. In fact, it does just the opposite. It makes you look smart. We don’t need to know everything; we just need to know where to go to get the answers we need. Sometimes that’s even a new hire who is 20 years old and has more tech experience than we do. Hopefully he’ll come to us when he needs answers to questions that only on-the-job experience can provide.
- Google. I can’t tell you how many 1-2-minute YouTube videos I have found through a Google search that showed me step-by-step just what I wanted to know – and didn’t add another 58 minutes of stuff I didn’t want to know. Google can be your best new friend. It’s my BFF for sure.
- Let go of outdated ideas. What may have worked in the past might not be suitable for today’s new world. If you try to manage Gen X and Gen Y employees the same way you’ve managed “your people” for 30 years, not only will it not work, but you’ll be made fun of (and not just behind your back). It could push you into an early unexpected retirement since you won’t be getting results. Apply better management skills – ones that actually work.
- Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” Then ask yourself, “What’s the best thing that can happen?” You may be pleasantly surprised that not only will the worst thing not happen, but if it does, it isn’t as bad as you thought.
- Don’t be one of those “I’ll go down for the third time doing it my way, dag nabbit” people. (Glug, Glug, Glug) Don’t be stupid. If you have a choice between sink or swim, for goodness sake, grab ahold of the life preserver thrown your way.
- Learn something new every day; let go of something old every day. Keep your mind open and become aware of new possibilities and new ideas. Clean out brain clutter and make room for new news. It’s guaranteed to improve your performance.
- Watch how others solve problems and emulate them. I especially like to listen to Click and Clack the Tap It Brothers on Car Talk. The questions they ask to narrow down the possibilities to get to the root cause are genius. We can learn a lot from them. They don’t jump in with what they think is the correct answer. Instead, they get more information, listen, rule out what can’t be the solution, let go of pre-conceived ideas when they don’t fit the situation, and admit when they are stumped. They are good role models for all of us! It’s called critical thinking.
If that poor fly would only wise up and move on when things aren’t working, he could be outside before anyone has time to get the swatter. Take a lesson from him in regard to problem solving. Try something. Assess the results. If it’s not working, back up and try something new. There’s always an open door…just waiting for you to go through it.
Susan Fenner, Ph.D. is the Chief Learning Architect for Speakers you Need (SyN). She is the co-author of Perfect Phrases for Office Professionals and has been a columnist for OfficeProand Office Solutions magazines. She has provided personal and professional development to thousands of office workers and is noted for her insights into the changing workplace and workforce – today and tomorrow. For more information and articles, go to www.SpeakersyouNeed.com.
