Don't forget No.2

Often we are preoccupied with getting it right. We are also occupied of doing the best and being number one. But when solving problems, we should choose the best solutions. And sometimes it's not the number one option.

While our top solution and best solution may be the most efficient, maybe the most technologically sound, but in reality, you have to match those attributes to the attributes that is involved in solving your problem. These are the attributes of the solution. As much as we want to find the solution and solve the problem, we also have be aware of what makes a good solution. These are the solution's attributes. 

Situation where this arises, is when the solution that we think is number one, the best and the right one, may not be agreeable to everybody or the stakeholders who have a vested interest in their solution. We should also take a look, as closely as we do the first one, the second solution. Note what are the attributes that make it a good solution. And what are the attributes that don't make it a good solution? Those that are less better than the number one option. 

Quite often problem solvers are enamored by the most complex or elegant solution. They forget that there are other factors to take into consideration. Like cost. Like time. 

Your number two solution may not be the most elegant, nor the fastest, but it could be the cheapest. It may take longer, but if it doesn't go over the threshold time limit, do a comparison of the final cost of generating the solution or executing the solution. Sometimes, a problem which doesn't 'have a solution' will suddenly find one the in the second best solution.

Getting over being upset

A normal reaction to a problem is obviously getting upset. Especially when things do not work as expected. Worse, when things are not there where as expected. I have mild autism. I get really upset when things i leave in a particular place, is moved by someone else. When I need them, they are not there. I am also as upset when I lose things, whether it's my fault or someone else's. I spend and expend my energy in looking for them. All my focus is aimed to find it, to return to normality.

A problem is an abnormality. Everybody knows that. It's not something that is supposed to happen. But what if it was. What if we change our attitude towards problems from making it an abnormal event but into a regular one or even an expected one. A regular event can be handled normally because it's a normal occurrence. It's not something expected but it is something that just happens. Like cars when we are crossing the road. We don't know if there are cars coming. But if it does, it just happens. And to a certain degree, it is expects. We are standing at the roadside, so card driving by is not a surprise. A cow falling from the sky is but cars driving past are not. A problem that occurs and expected is one that is planned for. We are prepared for it and when it happens, we know what to do. If we are not prepared for it, should we get upset. Think about who is getting upset and why. Consider this: We can choose to not be upset. We can choose to act like the problem is something expected. We act so even if we weren't prepared for it because we choose how to react. Don't get upset. Don't let other people get you upset. Admit there is a problem. Take first step. And go ahead an solve it.