Problems are everywhere, and we like to discuss them. Think of 2 problems you have at work right now.

Here are examples: short staffed; co-worker is not working as hard as I am;  anxiety in my team; morale down; we're not working collaboratively; leader has no vision; no strategic plan; turnover too high; employee retention too low.

Are these problems? We would say absolutely yes! 

A problem is by definition, a deviation or gap.  It means something not to standard or expectations. Sometimes we see something that we perceive as negative (in our heads) and we label it a problem, but is it? 

If an employee is not following a process or procedure it’s a problem right? But what is the problem?  Is there a quality problem because they’re not following the process?  Or does it bother us because they’re not following the rules, even when they have an effective outcome? The outcome is the important element here, that is what constitutes a potential problem.

So why is this even important? Because our thoughts generate emotions. And because these thoughts are negative, they will generate negative emotions. Negative emotions tend to generate actions that are less productive.  And those actions contribute to our lack of results. It means we spend more time focusing on negative thoughts rather than constructive problem solving.

And what’s so important to understand is, we consider these thoughts a fact. We believe our brains. Our brain offers us something negative and we readily accept it. 

Morale is down. We feel anxious. Or maybe guilty or inadequate, like we need to fix it, to change or improve it. 

And sometimes we think things are problems, but we have little control over solving them. 

Like the perception that my co-worker is not working as hard as I am...At the end of they day, is this a problem we believe we can or should solve?  Does it matter and is it worth the mental energy we are expending on it?  How is this thought serving us?  Is there value to it?

And I’m certainly not saying to ignore problems.  It’s important to be solving problems, improving the work environment, and work practices.  I 100% believe that.

At the same time, I believe that we characterize a lot of our negative thoughts as problems.  And then those problems bother us, we stew on them.  They affect our mood; they create stress and anxiety and they prevent us from solving more pressing problems.

Consider the following with your previously identified problems:
1.    Is this a negative thought your brain if offering you, or a problem to be solved?
2.    What is the “gap” between the current and the “gold standard” and/or best practice?
3.    What are the facts in the situation?  Do you have data to support your thoughts?
4.    What are the consequences of this gap not being closed and/or addressed (i.e., does it matter)?
5.    How can you frame this problem in a way that you can identify multiple options for solving it? (i.e., get out of the black/white thinking mindset)

We need to be good role models for problem solving and stress management.  Our brains will constantly give us negative thoughts.  And often we see these as problems.  Soon we have 3452 problems to be solved.  This is not true.  And it causes us and those around us anxiety.

Let’s think about problems that require our focus and attention.  And solve those.  Let the other thoughts be.  Y

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