In his LITTLE GOLD BOOK of YES1 Attitude [2007], Jeffrey Gitomer states, “Instead of griping or wallowing in your problems, why not spend the same amount of time working on solutions? Being solution-oriented has done more for me and my path to success than any single strategy. Every obstacle presents an opportunity – if you’re looking for it. If you’re too busy concentrating on the problem, the opportunity will pass you by. "
P=2S+O aligns well with the direction of Gitomer’s thinking.
Is there a better way to ensure solution-orientation than linking Solutions to Problems in a formula?
I don’t think so.
The same applies to Opportunities.
P=2S+O, however, is not as demanding about Opportunities as it is about Solutions. For Solutions, there is no option. If there is a Problem then there must always be at least 2 Solutions attached to that Problem. On the other hand, for Opportunities, there may or may not be one attached to the Problem.
Why?
I do not agree with Gitomer’s point, “Every obstacle presents an opportunity – if you’re looking for it.”
That’s not been my experience.
Sometimes Opportunities are hiding in Problems.
Sometimes Opportunities are not hiding in Problems.
Even if I am wrong and Opportunities always hide in every Problem, most times there is a diminishing return trying to get them out of their hiding spots.
If a situation is annoying enough to count as a Problem requiring our attention then we must replace that Problem with a good Solution. That’s what P=2S+O demands. We must convert Problems into Solutions.
Bosses like that - Clients like that - Co-workers like that... etc.
From time to time as we work at finding and doing Solutions we come across Opportunities.
The key is having an open mind...a mind open to receiving Opportunities when they visit.
Based on this thinking, P=2S+O means: for every Problem, there are at least 2 Solutions and there may also be some hidden Opportunities.
More about Opportunities in the next blog...