As the late Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can, or you can’t, you’re probably right”. Never underestimate the power of optimism. Anyone can find fault with something, or someone. On the contrary, problem solving is one of the pillars of success. Here’s Ken’s Metaphor for Success #12:
Have not only an eye for problems, but for solutions, as well
As a young Technician, initially, I found it quite easy to criticize the work of those before me. As time passed, I realized that the real talent was in providing a solution. As a manager, and ultimately an entrepreneur, nothing irked me more than when my Technicians were quick to point out how everything was wrong with something, usually tasks performed by others… and that a fix was “impossible” (an optimist’s most dreaded word). When you are discovering and identifying problems, never bother your boss without exhausting at least three attempts at a solution to resolve the problem, and NEVER use the word impossible. Instead say, “It’s going to be tough, but here’s what we need to do”.
