What comes first? The problem or the opportunity

I was at the fab networking group, Horsley Business Networking, earlier this week, where Jonathan Brown from ALP ran a session on “What’s Your Problem?” And a light bulb went off. Right over my head.

You see, I am a classic creative type – as are most entrepreneurs and small business owners. Coming up with new ideas is easy for me, a strength most of the time but sometimes … a problem!

It’s been a funny last year for me. I’ve enjoyed responding to what my clients want from me and embracing the world of social media has been a natural and exciting step. I’ve gone with the flow and said yes to lots of opportunities.

But, I have to be honest here – I’ve lost my focus! I used to have a clear action plan and be in control of where I was headed. But potential projects have multiplied like baby rabbits and too many projects mean that nothing gets done.

So, what does come first – problems or opportunities? Jonathan uses the term PCOG – problems, challenges, opportunities and goals. Problems can be opportunities, but opportunities can also be challenges and problems, especially when you run your own business. And if they are not goals, you can’t make a decision to move forward and get off that problem merry-go-round.

But when you run your own business, you can choose which problems to deal with. Yes, yes, yes. I know there are some problems that you have to sort out. Client complaints, invoices not being paid, website not working. But for most of us, we do have a choice of which problem to deal with.

And that’s my light bulb.

I have a choice of what to say yes to. I have a choice of which project to work on. I have a choice of what product or service to develop next.

I have a choice to stop the merry-go-round and start heading in a direction of my choice.

And so do you. You can’t do everything, all on your own. And you certainly can’t have a dozen or so opportunities to focus on. Because that’s where the problems start.

You may know this already, so forgive me for writing this. But as writing this blog can also great therapy for me, I hope you don’t mind me sharing my problem light bulb

Other articles you may be interested in:

1. Cancel your advertising and throw away your leaflets
2. Spray and pray marketing: the problems and the solutions
3. Are You on Business Sat Nav?