Why Focusing On A Problem Will Make It Almost Impossible To Solve
Not that long ago, I had an issue where I ran an ad that I wrote myself, and I thought it was a very strong ad for my Millionaire Mind Intensive program. We put a lot of time, energy and money into it.
We ran the ad for three days. After the first day we got no calls. Half the second day is gone and not one call. I’m thinking, “What the hell is this? The ad must be shit!”
Of course my first impulse was to go into stress mode, but instead of sitting around trying to figure out what went wrong, we just bumped up our other advertising avenues and rallied to get as much notice out for the event as quickly as we could.
Once that settled down and the freaking-out ceased, I got a phone call from an old acquaintance of mine saying, “Harv, I saw your ad. I called the 800-number, and it goes to nothing. There’s no answer. There’s no ringing. It’s silent.” I phoned the number myself, and sure enough nothing but silence. Turns out there was a screw up with the phone company.
The first lesson here is that when something goes wrong, don’t immediately assume it’s your fault. But bigger than that, when something goes wrong, forget about who’s to blame. Jump into creative problem-solving mode.
You need to look at a problem in order to have a solution. That means being somewhat distant from it. But what do most people do? We look for problems, or rather, why a problem is what it is. In other words, sometimes we create problems where there may be no problem at all.
Like I said, I think I’m pretty good at marketing, and I’ve had decent success. So when I write what I think is great advertising and get zero results from it, yeah my pride takes a hit! Like anybody, my first instinct was to go to “What did I do wrong?”
Luckily, I also have years of experience to let me remember that yeah, sometimes shit happens at the worst moments! Freaking out, getting mad, or being upset does nothing but make things go from bad to worse. Now, my automatic response is to not linger on the problem for too long. Frick the problem and let’s find a solution!
Most of the time we’re still in the problem when we’re looking for its answer. We’re still in that negative place imagining what it’s like outside. The way to think outside the box is to get a whole different box. That means leaving the “why” a problem is what it is, and focusing solely on how to solve it.
Stay focused on what you want–the goal–and solutions arise as long as you don’t let the freak out take over. It’s been one of my ultimate learnings in my career and my life: you have to trust yourself and trust that you can figure things out even in the worst of moments.
I’m not saying don’t work on important issues when something is consistently not working. The phone company in the example above needs to work! But don’t spend all of your time on the issue. Spend your time on creating new paths for yourself.
Having alternatives means that when things don’t go your way, you give yourself increased opportunities for reaching the same outcome, just maybe in a different way than you may have originally thought.
Here’s a mini exercise. Think about something you’ve been working on that hasn’t been working out for you. Now write down 3 ways that are different from what you are doing now that can possibly still get the same outcome. This can be in your business, career, relationship, or health, whatever. Don’t think too long about why it’s a problem, think about 3 different ways you will solve it.
Here’s an example. You want to lose weight and you’re having a hard time getting to the gym.
Here are some alternatives.
- Go on a diet instead and regulate your eating
- Get a personal trainer/coach to keep you accountable
- Find a fun class that you enjoy going to so there is no thought about working out
Good or good?
Tell us about what you wrote down…we want to hear from you!
It’s my class – Zero To MultiMillionaire – that’s happening on November 17th.
I’d love it if you’d join me as my guest.
For Your Freedom,
Harv I recently read your book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and it has had a huge impact on my life, but not on the wealth side (at least not yet).
After 22 years of a happy marriage with no arguing my wife and I fell upon hard times. The lessons that you teach in that book go above and beyond just helping with wealth. I applied what I learned from you about wealth to my relationship and now I am making positive strides to get my marriage back onto a healthy track.
Just last night was the first time when my wife’s anxiety hit hard that we did not end up in an argument. We ended the night on a positive note that I will not forget for a long time. To come see this article today which pretty much sums up what I learned and applied here was just a great way for the Universe to say, “There you go.”
I am truly thankful for everything you have done Harv and I am looking forward to learning from your online courses as well as attending future seminars.
Good thinking Harv, been struggling for a while with being a course and certificate junkie and the feeling of not being good enough to actually reach out for a hand up not a hand out. Started to reappraise and build in small increments rather than go for World domination. Options have started to appear by the day and are bite sized and manageable, looking into joint ventures and altering a niche. Options on info products are now getting clearer and nearer now I am using money appropriately.
We watched you online live ladtceve. First time we’ve heard your perspective on mindset. Very down to earth and understandable. Able to put some tips into practice. Bought and started reading your book,” Secrets of Millionare mind”. We look forward to learning and growing with you. George and Barb Rompre
Hi Harv
I read your book, and so glad I did! It is changing my life, analyzing my way of thinking thru your blueprint was an eye opener!
I have started the FFA, education and play! I have recommended your book to family and friends! Thank you so much!
Okay so my thing that’s not been working out for me is the launch of franchising my business. I have tried FB Live video, sales page and sales video, application and interview system and even amazing ‘half off’ deal for first 10 spots! Very few people are applying. So three things I could try doing differently:
1. Get in touch with my biggest advocates and ask them to refer me for a referral fee in return.
2. Find out what events are on for business opportunities, particularly mums wanting to work from home, and get a speaking spot at the event.
3. Book a live discovery session to present the opportunity and answer questions live online and market this to get people on that call.
I wanted to do this on here and share it publicly so as to hold myself to it. Thanks Harv ; )
Yes, be solution oriented! Thanks Have 😉
Hello Harv,
I have been trying to get an investor(s) for my first feature film.
I have contacted friends, producers & directors I would meet at networking events and some customers at my job, i.e. people I have personally met.
I am still looking for the “money” person.
Three new ways I could possibly find him/her:
1. List my script on the Nichols Fellowship program & on http://www.blacklist.com
2. Join “Women In Film” & pitch my script to producers & distributors I met there.
3. Get letters of intent from three name actors & approach a distributor.
The problem:
My girlfriend is a successful business woman in the network marketing field and she is a pretty good investor as well. I have been a language teacher for 12 years, have learned business basics with my girlfriend, read business and personal improvement books but I am somehow stuck. She just told me to change my focus and habits. I want to do it for myself and to show her that I can do it! But yes, here is where I am stuck, I do have great motivation at the beginning but when the first difficulties pop up (they always do) the motivation gradually fades and I am back to poor old me….
Solutions:
Find people who are interested in doing business in my school;
Invite friends and family to join in the business;
Change my habits.
I am happy and I thank you for the online lessons that you offer to people, these are great and I do get the motivation I need. I just have to KEEP IT UP!
Now I see I have to do my job and it’s an inside job first and foremost.
Dear Harv,
You are absolutely right , when we keep focus on problems they become stronger than they are instead we look for solutions we will put all our energies in positive side and will come up with RIGHT solution which will be in our GOOD
My problem is that I tend to lose my confidence and become nervous when encountering my placement supervisor (English is my second language). I took the Secret of Inner Power and know that I need to focus on my breath to get rid of my nervousness. However, it did not work out today, I could have done it better. I did not speak out when I have good ideas, which was later pointed out by my supervisor.
Some alternatives:
1.Always be prepared with some questions to ask instead of putting me in the position of answering questions.
2. Do a bit of practising at home (looking at mirror or video tape myself talking)
3. Keep practising focusing on my breath and my nervous and building trust in myself
Very Good ! Thanks for sharing !
I participated in MILLIONARD MIND in Brazil in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte. I am delighted with the teachings of T. Harv. Eker. I work with businessmen in Brazil and I want to promote their courses and lectures to everyone. His teachings are changing my life and my clients’ lives. T. Harv Eker, thank you very much!
Good Evening Harv sir,
It is very true that most people think and talk about problem and that is the reason why people have problem but once we change our Focus from Problem to solution than the problem solve also as per “LAW OF ATTRACTION” we attract what we thought if we think about problem we only be with problem, But when we start to focus in solution we have solution, only our perception responsible for both our Problem and solution.
I think I have a great idea. I wish to get royalty from it. I would like to reach the person who will not steal my idea. How do I reach such person safely?
This is what it has not been working out for me.
My relationship with my best friend. I am always available for her to meet me and talk to me. I always reply to her messages if i missed her call. She does the exact contrary. This week she disappeared and was not responding to my calls or messages for 4 days. Then she called up saying I cant contact her between Monday -Thursday at all. She is not available because she is very busy. She can only talk and meet me in the weekends. In the past she said i should not contact her after 6pm because its too late and i have been doing. I can see how a part time relationship can work !
I was always accommodating her so i make our relationship work. But i feel its unreasonable what she is doing. I am finding upsetting and it doesn’t work for me.
I decided the 3 ways that are different from what i was doing before that can possibly still get the same outcome.
Here are some alternatives.
-Do the exact same behavior to her with what she does for a period of time. Do not pick up the phone, do not reply to her messages and respond after a few days saying that i can meet her when its convenient for me.
-When i meet her discuss with her that this is not working for me and i am not accepting this behavior. We need to compromise on when we communicate and how.
-Treat her the way she treats me from now on.
Good or good? Brilliant !
Hello Mr. Harv.
I tried the last year in become a commercial pilot but I did not find the money to pay the flying hours, it become with a bad economic situation in my country so, the “only” thing that separates me from my goal is the money situation.
Obviosly I’m trying to focus in:
1. Making money and saving it.
2. Looking for a business idea that help me to make that money.
3. Find somehow who want to invest in myself.
Thanks Harv!