Dear Friends,
Did you ever read or hear something that you didn’t quite understand,
but inwardly you knew there was something of value if you could only distill
the thoughts of the writer or speaker? That happened to me yesterday as I
listened to a John Maxwell podcast on how to deal with problems. This morning I
re read the extensive notes I had taken, but I knew I needed to listen to
the message again, and in so doing I was able to unpack some of the
valuable insights I initially missed.
I want to share a few of the takeaways I received as I re listened
and re learned some of those truths John shared as he talked about how leaders
deal with problems.
Leaders must expect to see problems and get excited when they come
for on the other side of the problem there is almost always a solution and in
many cases more than one solution.
Scott Peck in his famous book The Road Less Traveled writes
life is difficult and once we transcend this truth, life becomes no
longer difficult. When we learn to expect problems, we are not surprised when
they come and we can even welcome them knowing that they present us with
learning opportunities. There are amazing discoveries to be found on the other
side of those problems.
Choosing to be a leader means you choose to live with lots
of adversity. Adversity comes with the territory. Everything worthwhile is
uphill and to accomplish great things, you must be willing to persevere through
the things that many people choose to avoid.
In discussing problems, he shares the following acronym for the
word Problems.
P stands for predictor, for the way we handle problems will be a
great predictor of our future success or failure.
R stands for reminder, a reminder that no matter what we do, life
is difficult and filled with problems, so don’t be surprised by them-just
expect them.
O stands for opportunities. Within every problem there lies an
opportunity in disguise. Too often we never see the opportunity because we
focus only on the problem while missing the hidden opportunity.
B is for blessing. Often there is a hidden blessing in every
problem, but we will never find that blessing unless and until we look
beyond the problem.
L is for learning. Once we look beyond the problem there is a
lesson to be learned. It is true that one often learns more from one's
failures than from all one's successes. If I am teachable and persevere
through the problems, I will learn valuable lessons.
E is for everywhere, for problems are everywhere and everyone faces
them. Don’t ever feel sorry for yourself. Everyone has problems in life. No one
is exempt.
M is for messages. Problems are messages which come to us to
reveal what we are doing well and not doing well.
S is for solvable. All problems are solvable, but only if we
don’t give up too soon. The successful person expects to find problems
in life, but he or she knows that if you look long and hard enough you
will find an answer to almost every problem
We need to always “live on the other side of yes.” We need to
discover that there is almost always going to be an answer to every problem
that confronts you.
And if you are looking for a biblical proof text to all of the
above you might turn to the Apostle Paul who reminds us that ‘we’ “can do all
things through Christ who strengthens us" (Philippians 4:13).
Yours in faith and friendship,
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