Solving Problems and Batting Practice
This post by Go Daddy founder Bob Parsons reminds me of the line in the long form of the Serenity Prayer by Rheinhold Niebuhr about accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Parsons explains:
"Every business has problems.
Let’s be honest. There’s not a business anywhere that is without problems. Business is complicated and imperfect. Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings...
What I’ve learned...
1. Our measure is taken by how we handle the difficult times. Anyone can manage their way through good times. It’s how we handle the difficult times, that all of us are sure to have, that determines how happy and/or successful we will eventually become.
2. The obstacles we all have to face – be they personal or business – do not get in the way of us living our life. The obstacles are our life.(emphasis added)
So remember, the next time bad news surfaces -- look at it as your test. You are being given a chance to determine how successful you will be. If you can lighten up and deal with whatever the problem is, you will be better in three ways:
1. You’ll have the satisfaction of handling a problem.
2. You’ll be wiser when it comes to dealing with future issues.
3. Those around you will respect and welcome your leadership....
Once you get in the habit of enjoying the process of dealing with and resolving problems, you will indeed become happier...So why not change your perspective and simply enjoy the process of dealing with them?...
A mental trick for dealing with problems.
I've noticed over the years that it's easy to hear about someone else's problems and to offer a solution. It only becomes difficult when the problem at hand is yours and not someone else's. An interesting drill to help deal with problem situations is to mentally step outside the situation. Try to think of the problem as being someone else's instead of yours. The trick here is to not worry or even think about the consequences. Instead, deal with the problem at hand and only that.
Look at each day like batting practice.
I often tell my managers to look at each day like baseball players look at batting practice. I tell them to swing at each pitch (or problem) that comes their way. Some they will knock out of the park. Others they will miss completely. And for the ones they miss -- simply swing at them again tomorrow."
