Adopt a Problem


Ok all you creators out there, I am hereby declaring August 11th "Adopt a Problem Day." 
If you remember back in the Responsible and Victimized post, we talked about how crucial it is for creators to be uncommonly responsible for the outcome of things they value.  So, to put that into practice, your homework assignment for August 11th is to adopt a problem. 

What does it mean to adopt a problem?  Just take these four steps:

Step 1 (Pick it): Take five minutes to think about the problems that nag you on a daily basis.  Maybe the garage is a complete mess.  Maybe there's a fence that needs painted.  Maybe one of the kids is not doing so well in math class.  If you are like me, there's no shortage of things that you just never get around to... but today you only get to pick one.  If you have your personal life completely in order, there's bonus points for adopting someone else's problem! 

Step 2 (Plan it it): Come up with a plan to resolve the problem as efficiently as possible.  Hiring help is not an option for this exercise.  Take a look at the creator's wheel and try to hit as many traits as possible as you plan out your approach.  The goal is for you to... well... be creative.  Trust me, whatever you plan on tackling will have some "commercial solution" that will attempt to lighten your wallet by hundreds of dollars.  Don't fall into that trap!  Try to reuse what you have available.  Use the internet or friends to pick up how-to's and best practices.  If you come up with something really creative, post it on Youtube and pay it forward for other creators out there with a similar problem.  Have a timeline and backup plans in case some of your ideas don't pan out. (Btw, the backup plan can't include failing to resolve the problem.)

Step 3 (Adopt it):  This step is both the easiest and hardest in ways.  This is the step where you commit to success; where you psychologically link your own personal reputation to the problem.  To complete this step, you must overcome whatever it is that was causing you to put this problem on the back burner to start with.  Make yourself accountable by posting what you are about to tackle on social media and promise completion pics.  You can even use the comment section of this post if it helps.  

Step 4 (Crush it):  Now that you have a plan and a purpose, get out there and own it!  Let me know how it goes! 

This exercise has little to do with the actual problem that you decide to take on and everything to do with getting into a fabulous habit of creating value.  I bet you walk away saying "That wasn't so bad!" and more prepared to take on your next problem.  The creator grows. 


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