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great stimulant to creativity is pressing problems. The problem
is that in today's business world people are living in denial. (Sadly
most people think that denial is a river in Egypt, as Zig Ziglar
said). They are in denial that problems exists. 'Problem', is a
dirty word. So you can't say to your boss, 'I have a problem', you
have to say, 'I have a challenge'. The problem is, though, that
you don't have a challenge, you have a problem.
Climbing Mount Everest is a challenge; you don't have to do it.
You can rise to the challenge or let it go. So if you had a challenge
you don't actually need to tell your boss, you could just let it
go. But if your challenge is really a problem then you can't let
it go. A problem is different. A problem needs a solution and like
a mathematical problem, there is always a solution.
Softening words in this way doesn't help. People may think it's
positive thinking but it's not. It's denial. Positive thinking is
about seeing the world as it really is and acting accordingly. Real
positive thinking does not deny that there are weeds in your garden.
If the weeds are a challenge then you could simply decide that you
don't really want to face them. If the weeds are a problem then
you have to decide what the solution is.
Positive thinking lets you survey the reality of the weeds and plan
the best way of pulling them up without dwelling on the fact.
'Problem' is not a dirty word. It is a proud and honourable word.
Face your problems with pride, confidently, expectantly, with the
attitude that there exists a logical, practical solution just waiting
to be found. The most creative people have a relaxed attitude of
confident expectancy that causes their minds to function in original
and imaginative ways. Face up to the problem and focus on finding
the solution.
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