Sometimes the problem in fixing something is understanding exactly what the problem is. Consider the following video as these friends try to run a fruit business:
Yes. It's easy to recognize when something is broken. The friends in the video above came to realize they weren't making any money. As observers, we can easily see what the problem is. They're selling the melons at the same exact price they're buying it, which doesn't make any money.
When we know the true issue, we can come up with solutions. They could sell the melons at a higher price, or they could buy the melons at a lower price. Either way, they would get a profit.
We can also see that the one friend's suggestion of getting a larger truck won't help one bit.
But then again -- think about this. It could have the illusion of helping. If they switched to a larger truck, it might be more expensive, but it would also be fewer trips, thus possibly lowering overall costs. It could sound good on paper, but still not fix the underlying problem of making negative profits.
I see this a lot at work, in politics, and even at church. People see some problem and come up with solutions that address some of the issues, while leaving the main problem unsolved. Several times, I've seen millions or billions of dollars spent on a project that solves only a portion of the problem, when a much cheaper solution could have more easily solved the entire thing.
But then again, in this complex world, it can be very difficult to determine causes of issues.
Think of one of those doctor shows where a patient comes in with an unknown sickness. First, the doctors have to run tests, just to see what the problem is. Often, this involves a little guesswork, inspiration, and analysis of test results. Then the doctors are able to form a diagnosis, meaning "We finally know what the problem is." And then they begin treatment. Usually in these shows, the treatment is shown only in the last minute or two, as most of the fun is in locating the problem.
On a personal level, we all have issues that need addressing. And again, this same concept applies. We must first determine the cause before we fix it. Sometimes it's something simple, like small-scale problems that pop up every day. Or it could also apply to a larger project we might be working on.
The LDS Self Reliance module teaches the following three-step process that we can all use to solve all kinds of problems.
#1) Stop and take the time to IDENTIFY the real problem. Sometimes just stopping to think is all that is needed, but more often than not, we might not get it right on the first try. If you suspect more than one possible problem, you can start by picking the one that looks to be the most probable.
#2) STUDY OPTIONS for solving the problem that you've identified. Brainstorm. Realize that it may or may not work, but trying something is better than leaving the problem unresolved.
#3) DECIDE AND ACT. Pray about it. Pick a solution, and implement. If it works, then you're done. Else you can go back to #1 or #2 and try again.
We all have the capability to think and act. We will most likely make mistakes along the way, but following this system of problem solving, we can learn to more effective identify and solve our problems, and live happier lives.
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