Matt and Garrett are fully caffeinated, hyped up, and chomping at the bit to unpack a common roadblock today: getting bogged down by problems and overlooking the solutions hiding in plain sight. Their conversation here today fully equips listeners with tools to cultivate a solution-oriented mindset.

Emphasizing the power of stepping back from a problem, they note that, by detaching from the immediate frustration, listeners will gain a broader perspective which will in turn allow them to identify the underlying causes - not just the symptoms - of their challenges. Taking a step back gives you a clearer view of the entire landscape. Our hosts also delve into the importance of questioning assumptions, and how, all too often, we get fixated on a single interpretation of a problem, a mental rut that blinds us to alternative explanations and creative solutions. Throughout the episode, they share real-life examples to illustrate how questioning assumptions – like communication boundaries and time management – can unlock a wellspring of solutions. Ditch the dead ends and join Matt and Garrett today as they unveil the power of perspective shifts and a healthy dose of curiosity – you might be surprised by the solutions hiding just out of sight!

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Start

0:33 Introduction

2:26 Dangers of focusing on problems instead of solutions

8:52 Focusing on the symptom(s)

10:45 Pam Grout’s E-Squared and finding solutions

14:25 Acknowledging that a solution exists

20:33 “Yes, and…”

23:23 Every problem has a solution

Key Takeaways:

"Sometimes consciously, we get in our way of actively trying to find the solution. Let your subconscious brain run in the background."

"We're so focused on the problem that we can't see any solutions in front of us."

"If you lean into there being a river in the way, the only thing you're going to see is the river."

"Step back and ask, ‘What is my brain not allowing me to see?’"

"Sometimes the problem is not the problem - it's the symptom that takes our focus."

"Every problem we face has symptoms and solutions. We need to go into discovery mode."

"We get so focused on the details of how it will work, we forget to dream big."

"If you know what you want and let go, your subconscious brain will find the solutions."

"Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on where you want to be."

"’Yes, and’ will get you a lot further than ‘yes’.”

Links:

Life at Ten Tenths: lifeattentenths.com

Pam Grout’s E-Squared: https://pamgrout.com/books-r-me-my-career-as-an-author/e-squared/