Spiritual Problem-Solving: Making divine lemonade and other useful strategies
Author: Ann Strong

Even the most successful or spiritually-attuned people encounter problems. They just don't let them remain problems for long. Their swift resolution or turn-around of a problem sets them apart from the not-so-successful. If you'd rather be sipping lemonade than pulling out your hair, then employ one or more of these strategies the next time you find yourself in a tangle.

Make lemonade.
When you realize you don't have the brochures for the trade show that begins tomorrow, ask Spirit for guidance. What else can you give away? How can you quickly and effectively collect names and addresses to send the information later? How could this work to your advantage when your sales staff has the opportunity to follow-up?

Whistle while you work.
Whistling, singing or listening to music can significantly change your perspective. Sing songs of inspiration or play with your shadow by belting out the blues. Experiment with which serves you best in this particular moment.

Change your attitude.
If your big presentation didn't go well, you can either kick yourself black and blue or you can forgive yourself and move on. Schedule a debriefing with yourself to review what you'd like to do differently next time. (Yes, there will be a next time, despite how you feel now.) Realize "good" presentations and "bad" presentations are subjective. And, even if everyone agrees this one didn't work, then congratulate yourself for your willingness to take a risk and put yourself out there.

Stand on your head.
If you do what you've always done, you'll get the same results. This time, look from the inside out or from the bottom up. Approach your problem with a strategy opposite from your usual. Even if you don't completely solve your problem, you'll learn something valuable.

Turn it over.
Sometimes a problem can miraculously resolve itself. More than once, I have had an upset with my (it shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) long distance phone company. Before blowing a gasket, I ask myself, "by when do I want resolution on this matter?" I then add a few hours or days to my time frame (depending on the severity of the problem) and I let go. Many times, I have gotten resolution without taking any further action myself by allowing God to handle it.

See the bigger picture.
Remember in a few hours or a few days this, too, will pass. Feel gratitude that your problem doesn't involve starving children or brutal murder. Realize you don't have to do this alone. You can partner with Spirit to solve this problem.

Call in the experts.
If you're in over your head, get help. That's why we have experts. Don't try to take on the weight of the world yourself. If your problem seems huge, ask for support from both non-physical and physical helpers. Rely upon God and your angels as well as your minister, spiritual coach or holistic healer. Even if your problem is of the smaller variety, you may still choose to get help because you are outside your area of expertise.

Remain calm, cool and collected.
Any problem will resolve more quickly and easily if you side-step the drama and hysteria. However, it doesn't make as good a story later. But then, what priority is motivating you: winning the drama queen award or winning a better life?

Find the opportunity.
With a door slammed shut, you have the opportunity for an even better door to open. Look for that new door, open it and confidently step through. Take your rightful place in that greater opportunity. You'll then feel ever-so-grateful for the "problem."

Head it off.
Catching a problem before it turns into a problem belongs in the advanced problem-solving curriculum. Focus on this strategy and in no time, you'll have few problems.

To head off problems, look at problem areas of the past. Why did these things become problems? How can you do it differently this time? Ask for guidance.

Do you need to spend more money? More time? Do you need to build in a cushion? If you had the guy with the cheapest bid print your business cards, and he printed them poorly, maybe you need to work with a more reputable printer. Or, maybe you need to see another proof before he prints. Or, maybe you need to start way ahead of time, so you have time to reprint if necessary.

You have many solutions to any particular problem. Remember to ask for help with recognizing them. Happy problem-solving!








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Author, Ann Strong, of Life/Work Resources, also offers radical self-care business coaching. Do you need a nap? A walk deep in the woods? Time for the creative part of your business? Imagine: the more you take care of yourself, the more you flourish. The more you flourish, the more your business and those around you flourish. Taking good care of yourself is not a luxury.

Ann would love to help you balance enjoying time in the garden with the cash flow you desire. If you'd like to subscribe to Success Notebook, visit Ann's website at www.annstrong.com or if you'd like more info. about radical self-care business coaching, call her at (800) 745-2617.

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