Systems for Solving Problems
At the risk of sounding a bit esoteric: Everything is related. And the good news is that if you can get a glimpse of the nature of those relationships than you have huge opportunities available to you. Namely, you have the potential to use meta systems for solving problems.
Whenever we do something, we’re influenced by countless variables around us, The Core Four. So by taking just a little time to set up a solid system, you can save hundreds or even thousands of hours of conscious effort.
By using systems for problem solving, we leverage our potential exponentially.
Systems for Problem Solving: The Key Hook
For example, take the problem of chronically losing one’s keys. This little problem can result in hours of lost time over the years. 30 seconds here or 3 minutes there adds up when the problem persists throughout a lifetime.
We could think of a solution on the individual level: “I just have to do a better job of tracking my keys.” But that would take conscious effort everyday.
Instead we could use a system to solve the problem. And once the system is in place, using it wouldn’t require even a moment of conscious thought:
Put a hook on the wall right next to the door where you come in. Now, whenever you get to the house, just hang the keys on the hook before you leave the entryway. This system doesn’t take more than a minute to set up.
And it doesn’t take any thought to execute. Just walk in, and hang them up.
Levels of Thinking
Einstein famously said, “we can’t solve problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
In other words, we can only see so much of the picture at any given time. And we tend to go about life working within the system around us. In this frame of mind we usually overlook how the system we’re working in subtly influences what we do.
Systems thinking means stepping back, recognizing the influence of the system, and then making a change so the circumstance encourages the outcomes we desire.
Don’t Think So Much
It takes a lot of cognitive effort to rationally think through every situation individually. It’s tiring and practically speaking, we just can’t keep it up all the time.
So the best solution is create systems or rules for yourself so that you don’t have to think so much. If you do enough thinking before-hand then you take most of the work out of the job while getting things done to a higher level, faster.
As personal productivity guru David Allen suggests, “You might have to think more than you do now, but not as much as you think you do.”
This is where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Set Up the System and Let it Flow
For example, take the complex, highly sophisticated problem of getting more things done throughout the day. Productivity is loaded with hundreds or thousands of variables that all play into the situation, right?
But here is a simple rule that can leverage your productivity starting today: No email, social media, TV, or internet browsing before 4pm.
For most of us in the information era, this simple guideline can transform a workday. Substitute any of the activities above for audio books, podcasts, or reading and by this time next year you’ll hardly believe the transformation.
Do you use any Systems for Solving Problems? Pray Tell
There are a ton of systems and personal rules that we can leverage to take our lives to the next level. Daily meditation has been one that’s personally transformed my focus and productivity.
It’s amazing how setting aside 20-30 minutes in a day to sit and be still can actually increase the amount of work I’ll do throughout the day.
So what rules or systems for solving problems have you found useful? Any tips for health, diet, productivity, creativity, focus, personal organization, relationships, family, vacations, fun, or anything else that comes to mind?
If you’ve got something that’s working, don’t keep it to yourself. Share the spoils and help all of us take it up a notch.
In the meantime, keep rockin’ it and Game On.
