THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #065
As dedicated professionals in the social sector, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that our passion, hard work, and time investment alone will be enough to bring about meaningful change.
We convince ourselves that caring deeply and working tirelessly will inevitably lead us to solutions.
However, it’s not true.
Just as with any other endeavor in life, making progress on complex problems demands deliberate practice and continuous refinement of skills.
And here’s the deal:
Most people in the social sector never practice.
It’s just not a part of the culture.
Today, I’m going to give you a 20-minute changemaker practice routine and explain the transformative results you can expect when you do it once a week.
Expecting better performance without ongoing training
Consider the trajectory of an elite athlete or a virtuoso musician striving for mastery in their respective fields.
They understand that reaching the pinnacle of success requires more than just passion—it demands intentional and regular practice, a commitment to learning, and guidance from mentors or coaches who provide invaluable insights and support.
In the realm of complex problem solving, we must adopt a similar mindset if we are to make consistent progress.
Making practice non-negotiable
Deliberate practice lies at the heart of mastering complex problem-solving.
Whether solo or in collaboration, scheduling a dedicated time each week is paramount.
Remember, consistency is key.
Set aside a sacred slot in your calendar—be it Friday mornings or Wednesday afternoons—and honor it faithfully.
By prioritizing practice, you lay the foundation for world-class performance.
The changemaker practice routine
Now, let’s dive into the details of my 20-minute practice routine designed to elevate your impact.
By investing a fraction of your time each week, you’ll unlock a wealth of insights and strategies for addressing local issues with precision and confidence.
Here are your 4 exercises:
- Quick Research Blitz (5 minutes): Start by immersing yourself in one local issue – but not one you actively work on – through a rapid-fire research session. Spend five minutes scouring online sources, news articles, and community reports to gather key insights and data points. Don’t worry about diving too deep—this is about getting a broad understanding of the issue and identifying potential areas for further exploration.
- Problem Statement Sprint (5 minutes): Now, channel your creativity and analytical skills to craft a concise problem statement that encapsulates the core issue at hand. Set a timer for five minutes and challenge yourself to articulate the problem in clear and actionable terms. Remember to consider the various stakeholders, underlying causes, and potential consequences of the issue as you formulate your statement. (Learn the one-sentence problem statement template)
- Mapping Madness (5 minutes): Get ready to unleash your inner cartographer as you dive into the world of problem mapping. Grab a pen and paper—or your favorite digital mapping tool—and spend five minutes sketching out the interconnected factors and relationships shaping the issue. Don’t worry about perfection—this is a rapid-fire exercise designed to capture your initial thoughts and insights in visual form. (Try using The Simple Guide to Problem Mapping)
- Counterfactual Carnival (5 minutes): Finally, it’s time to stretch your imagination and explore alternative scenarios with a counterfactual brainstorming session. Set aside five minutes to generate a list of hypothetical situations or interventions that challenge conventional assumptions about the issue. Think outside the box and consider how different variables and factors might play out in alternative realities. (Check out a practical exercise in counterfactuals)
The transformative results
By the end of your 20-minute practice session, you’ll find yourself equipped with a newfound depth of understanding of the local issues you’re addressing.
Through rapid research, problem statement formulation, mapping, and counterfactual exploration, you’ll have questioned your assumptions and gained insights that go beyond surface-level observations.
As you repeat this routine weekly, focusing on a different issue each time, you’ll uncover alternative solutions and approaches that you may not have previously considered.
This iterative process of exploration and discovery will not only expand your problem-solving repertoire but also sharpen your ability to decode complex issues in less than half an hour.
With each session, you’ll become more adept at identifying key variables, understanding their interconnections, and devising effective strategies for intervention.
Your problem-solving skills will soar to new heights, empowering you to make a tangible difference in your community and drive transformative change that reverberates far beyond the confines of your 20-minute sessions.
So, what are you waiting for?
Grab your timer, roll up your sleeves, and embark on your journey to become a master problem solver in your community.
See you next week.
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Whenever you’re ready, there are two ways I can help you:
→ I’m a strategic advisor for the toughest societal problems like poverty, crime and homelessness. People come to me when they want to stop spinning their wheels and get transformative, systems-level change.
→ I’m a coach for emerging and executive leaders in the social and public sectors who want to make progress on their biggest goals and challenges.
Let’s find out how I can help you become transformational.
