Never look a gift problem in the mouth…

Sometimes the biggest gains come from seemingly inopportune obstacles that drop into in our path.

Often, ours is a path we’ve worked long and hard crafting, meticulously planning for all the little eventualities… sanding smooth each potential splinter before anyone has a chance to run their hand down the banister.

And then LIFE happens…

The fit hits the shan and everything changes. Nothing is within your control except the results you are still expected to deliver (whether for a client or for yourself).

Here’s a few common “road hazards” you may run into when you head out on the highway:

• A big event gets canceled.
• Physical product fulfillment gets delayed.
• A launch gets pushed back a few months.
• A client or partner becomes unexpectedly sick or injured.
• A mission-critical supplier goes belly-up.
• New laws or government regulation necessitate BIG changes.

One of the ways a brilliant friend of mine deals with this all too common situation is to ask himself this simple question:

“In what ways is this the best thing that could happen FOR me?“

Not happen TO me… happen FOR me…

In what ways does an impending crisis work in your favor?

Are there other resources that can be brought to bear on the problem now – ones that wouldn’t have made sense before?

Does this open a slot in your schedule to work on a project that’s been back-burnered?

In what ways does overcoming the challenge you’re facing IMPROVE your offer?

Can you seize a positional advantage in the marketplace?

How can customers BENEFIT from this “new opportunity”?

In what ways is this the best thing that could happen FOR you?

Focus on the SOLUTION, not the PROBLEM.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Lots of you reading here, some of you even email, tweet and post on FB about these posts – but not many of you are commenting regularly… what’s up, peeps?

Your thoughts and questions are absolutely welcome here and greatly appreciated.

Share your best strategies for keeping a steady hand on the rudder in a stormy sea…

Best,

Brian

You may have seen this already… and so it will be good to watch it again. : )