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P=2S+O© - #1

by Rick Baker
On Nov 3, 2009

Some time ago, I made up the math formula P=2S+O.

It means, for every Problem there are always Solutions and there are often hidden Opportunities.

P=2S+O is a philosophical statement.

P=2S+O is a positive-thinking tool.

P=2S+O is a problem-solving tool.

In a series of a few blogs, I will explain things from the philosophy behind P=2S+O to the practical value it provides for problem-solving.

Perhaps the best starting point is “P”.

P = Problem

“You can’t start a formula with Problems. That’s pessimistic. You must start with Solutions or Opportunities!”

“You can not call problems Problems. You need to come up with a less-negative description.”

I’ve heard that.

I have disagreed.

Problems are Problems.

We do not need to make it prettier or any more complicated or any more palatable than that.

This ‘let’s just call problems Problems’ approach ties in with two other pieces of philosophy I embrace:

  • Seek Simple [when things are straightforward, keep them that way]
  • Seek Obvious [more on this later, or Google ‘Obvious Adams’ if you can not wait]
So, the formula starts with P... for Problem.

For every Problem there are at least 2 Solutions and there may be hidden Opportunities.

Bosses tend to buy into this.

Bosses have said things like, “Don’t bring me problems - show me solutions.”

And, that’s the main reason the formula P=2S+O was created. It was designed to help business people convert Problems into Solutions. Later, a ‘worksheet/template’ – a hands-on tool – was developed to help people.

At the next blog, I will provide the worksheet/template and more discussion of – Why use P=2S+O?

Also, I will explain why spending time thinking about Problems is not the work of a pessimist…it is the work of a realist.

Tags:

Solutions & Opportunities

Comments (7) -

Rick Baker Canada
1/9/2011 4:39:14 PM #

“A problem adequately stated is a problem well on its way to being solved.”

R. Buckminster Fuller

rick baker
8/14/2013 10:08:24 PM #

"Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems."

Rene Descartes
French Philosopher & Mathematician, (1596-1650)

rick baker
8/14/2013 10:27:15 PM #

"Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business."

Zig Ziglar
American Author, Salesman, & Motivational Speaker, (1926-2012)

rick baker
11/24/2013 11:05:48 AM #

“What is opportunity, and when does it knock? It never knocks. You can wait a whole lifetime, listening, hoping, and you will hear no knocking. None at all. You are opportunity, and you must knock on the door leading to your destiny. You prepare yourself to recognize opportunity, to pursue and seize opportunity as you develop the strength of your personality, and build a self-image with which you are able to live / with your self-respect alive and growing.”

Maxwell Maltz
'Psycho-Cybernetics, A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life', (1960)

J.K.M.Nair
2/9/2014 4:49:01 AM #

problems are problems. But "there is always a reason for a problem."(copy right- J K M Nair)and when you find the reason, the problem becomes a $olution (Me website-Training $olutions uses $ for solutions. www.trainingsolutions.in)
At the first sight the solution may not be apparent, but it will show a way. "Dive deep down you will reach the hard surface" - jkmnair

rick baker
4/17/2014 11:29:33 PM #

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions."

Benjamin Franklin
U.S. Founding Father & Polymath, 1706=1790

rick baker
11/8/2015 7:12:35 PM #

"Most opportunities begin with a problem."

Fred Dawkins, Canadian Entrepreneur & Author
Speaking to CFFB, October 30, 2015

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