Introduction

As some of you know, for many years I have talked about P=2S+O: [link to about 50 P=2S+O Thought Tweets & Thought Posts]

• bosses don't like to hear Problems
• when you have a problem you should always be able to come up with 2 Solutions...and keep your eyes open for Opportunities

[Inspired, in part, by “Opportunities ride on the wings of adversity”.]

[Reflecting Spirited Leaders’ philosophies for personal Strengths.]

[Aligned with Spirited Leaders philosophy “People Do Only 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits & New Things".]

The Issue, again, under Consideration

On a number of occasions, people have suggested or argued I should not speak of 'problems'. Instead, I should remove the word 'problem' from my vocabulary and my P=2S+O formula and replace it with the word 'challenge'. That happened to me, again, last week.

5 years ago, I wrote about this topic...Problems still confound the motivational experts. Last week, my attitude was in a zone where contemplation of this topic resonated. So, here I am, again, considering and writing about 'problems' versus 'challenges'. 

My first thought was - Why am I so adamant against replacing 'problem' with 'challenge'? Is it a vote in favour of my literary licence? Am I simply being obstinate? Or, am I crusading for the word 'problem' because my thinking is accurate or more textured? If it is the latter then, at the very least, I should come up with some more arguments to support the use of the word 'problem'. My efforts 5 years ago appear to be too weak.

Those arguments/points, in summary, were:

• The word ‘Problem’ is not the problem with problems. 
• I do not believe we can trick the subconscious mind into believing those things called Problems somehow are eased by changing their names to Challenges. 

Today, I find myself offering another perspective: Problems are things that trouble us and, to some degree, cause us to want to deliver solutions. I believe the word 'problem' has a clear and simple meaning. The word 'challenge', however, has a number of meanings and nuances. Its meanings range from 'difficult problem' to 'call to take part in a contest' to 'a query regarding the truth of something...i.e., a demand for proof'.

It seems to me, people who want to replace the word 'problem' with the word 'challenge' are thinking 'challenge' is a softer, less-distressful or more-inspiring word than 'problem'. Or possibly they are thinking everyone should view distressful things that need/demand/ought to have solutions as invitations to contests. If they are thinking the former way then I believe they are ignoring the fact dictionaries define 'challenges' as difficult problems [not easy-to-solve problems]. If they are thinking 'problems' ought to be viewed as 'contests' then I disagree...some problems are so small they do not warrant 'contest-thinking' or 'contest-action'. 

Of most importance - When we want to help people who are struggling, we should aim for simplicity. 

With simplicity -

A problem is a thing that troubles us and, to some degree, causes us to consider solutions. Problems may or may not be extremely troubling: they may be minor in scope and scale. Little of value arises if every problem is viewed as an invitation to a contest. Philosophies covering the handling of problems should not be expressed in terms of winners and losers [which, of course, is the essence of contests]. 

Conversely, when considered within the context of problems, challenges are defined as especially troubling problems. 

And, there is more context to bear in mind when considering my P=2S+O philosophy. The philosophy was developed as a tool to be used when people are struggling with delegation of decisions. Specifically, the P=2S+O tool was developed to help:

• people who took problems to their bosses, asking their bosses for solutions
• bosses who had not developed a productive way to deal with the people who reported to them and were struggling to solve problems without help

Perhaps, some of the people who took problems to their bosses believed the problems were extreme [i.e., believed their problems were challenges]. However, often their bosses did not view the problems as challenges. And, none of the people I was working to help viewed their decisions, delegations, situations or interactions as contests. 

For these reasons, I continue to believe the word ‘Problem’ is not the problem with problems. And, I continue to see no value in trying to trick the subconscious mind into believing a replacement of the word ‘Problem’ with the word ‘Challenge’. Furthermore, even if there might be value in performing such a word-replacement trick, I believe the subconscious mind, if it has been exposed to the generally-accepted definitions of the word [noun] ‘challenge’, cannot be tricked into accepting a new definition.

In Conclusion

I must stick with calling problems Problems. 

And, P=2S+O must remain the P=2S+O it has been since its conception.

P=2S+O  remains - Before you take a Problem to your boss for a solution...work to generate at least 2 Solutions and keep your mind open to receive Opportunities. 

And,

If you practice P=2S+O then your boss will be most appreciative. 

If you practice P=2S+O then you will develop problem-solving skills. 

If you practice P=2S+O then you will build self-confidence.