Turning problems into solutions

So, you've got problems? 

The bad news is, you're not alone. The good news is - those problems are the key to your future success.

I'm a big believer that on the other side of conflict, problems and challenges is the gold in life. That connection you were seeking, the knowledge you wanted or the success you were aiming for. They're important so they're not going to be easy. But they are definitely achievable.

Sometimes when problems come up in life we can quickly give up or run away and hide. But we all know hiding from our issues definitely doesn't make them any smaller. I'm definitely not suggesting you can't take time out to wallow a bit. Feeling sorry for yourself is all a part of the process of getting back up and trying again. But ultimately, facing our problems head on is the only way to get to the good stuff I mentioned before.

So, to give you strength and focus, here are some of my tips on facing the problems that might be coming up for you. 

Problems with your fundraising campaign

The key to solving problems within your fundraising campaigns is to solve them before they even occur. And I realise we can't always guess what challenges are going to come our way, but we can definitely make our lives easier by trying. 

So when you're creating your fundraising strategy, take a few hours out to write down all the problems you can possibly think about. Then, think about solutions. When you're in the zone thinking creatively and without pressure, you're going to come up with solutions that you would not be possible in the think of a stressful situation. 

Then magically, when problems arise during your fundraising campaign you've already got a list of solutions. They might not be the solutions you are looking for now, but they are a great place to start. Building out contingency plans before a campaign has even begun means you'll be able to make smart and considered decisions to turn your campaign around.

Problems with staff

This one is a big one. When dealing with two different peoples perspective, it is very often a case of and both; that being both perspectives are correct and both people have something to learn from another.

I encourage you to delve into the work of Brene Brown for further insights, but one of her key learnings is not to try to problem solve with a staff member until you are ready to sit beside them instead of across from them.

I always try to remind my husband when a situation is become tense between us that it is us against the problem, not me against him. The key to solving problems with another person is not to focus on how they have wronged you, but rather how you would like to move forward from this point. 

Giving other space to be accountable for their actions is more likely to inspire a long term change and growth. It is also a key for relationship building.

So next time you're facing a problem with a staff member, take a minute to walk in their shoes before trying to problem solve. 

Problems within yourself

Are you burnt out? Perhaps losing passion or inspiration? Or are you struggling with Imposter Syndrome? Problems within ourselves can often be the hardest to diagnose.

Whether it was serendipity or the algorithm, While I was writing this blog post, Instagram showed me a post from globally recognised Organisational Psychologist Adam Grant which read "On days when people exercise before work, they're more engaged and less exhausted. They see tasks as challenges to conquer rather than threats to avoid."

So if you're struggling within yourself right now, the first thing to do is go for a walk. Walk out your feelings while taking the time to 

When you work out what is truly bothering you, you are more likely to be able to fix it.