I went to the Mr Toys Toyworld yesterday to buy a Vmigo for my daughter.  She had some [tag]money[/tag] she wanted to spend but she didn’t want to spend it because she really wants a DS lite. She got worked up to the point of tears about having to compromise one over the other.  Then as we talked about it she realised she could have both if she was prepared to wait for what she wanted.  If she simply waiting a few more months or perhaps up to a year she could get the Vmigo.  As I sit here typing this she looks very happy playing with the Vmigo.

The [tag]problem[/tag] was: choose one or the other.  When in reality she could have chosen both and not had to compromise one or the other.  In academic circles we call this ‘dissolving the problem.’ This is where you take the higher order constraints of the problem and change the conditions that cause the issue to exist.  So instead of my daughter having to choose one or the other she came to a higher order conclusion where both were possible.  Try this way of thinking in your own life and why not let me know in the forum how it works out.

In management circles the idea that problems can be messy (not structured, poorly defined) has been around for some time. I was reading the news this morning and came across a good example of a messy problem. This is the Pakistan crisis. A messy problem is said to have no clear solution that will work and any idea that is used might make the situation better or much worse. In this article the writer points out how the Pakistan crisis is good for business. Two different [tag]viewpoints[/tag] are offered here and we can express them meaningfully as a narrative:

“The Pakistan crisis threatens economic stability”

and

“Businesses are worried about their future because they attach it to Pervez Musharraf staying in power”

From a [tag]business[/tag] point of view a political crisis is an economic crisis because later in the article the report notes the economy fell as a result of the news that the General may not be in control. This is perception is it not? The perception or idea that he is not control is causing economic problems. Think about it… that’s almost worth remembering and writing down!

So we see that what is happening in the political economy could make an impact on the business economy of Pakistan. Now to the solutions:

1. General Musharraf leaves

If he leaves the country may fall into economic turmoil destroying it’s livelihood.  There is a perceptual link between stability and Musharraf that needs to be handeld carefully here.
2. General Musharraf stays

If he stays political unrest may come anyway and then economic turmoil is coming anyway (apparently).

3. General Musharraf resigns his military post but stays on as Prime Minister

The market will see this as a show of weakness and in favour of political stability we have economic instability. This in turn would lead to more political instability in the long term and would keep the country in turmoil over a longer period of time.

4. General Musharraf keeps his military position but resigns leadership of the country

This option would see a new election. Possibly [tag]Imran Kahn[/tag] or [tag]Benezir Bhutto[/tag] could take power. This would mean a conversation would need to be struck between Kahn or Bhutto about how the military role would play out in the new government. I would think this is impossible given that both of the aforementioned people are currently on the run.

5. General Musharraf is ‘removed’ and a democratic election held… again

Say for a moment that Musharraf goes into exile and a new election is held. This would mean either Kahn or Bhutto would get in. Which would mean in the short term (according to the article) that economic unrest would follow. Now, for a country that already has a history of economic problems, this would be a huge blow. Economic turmoil always seems to follow political unrest.

6. Any of the above solutions may lead to unrest which in turn may lead to drug growth industries

Consider this article on Lebanon and the growing drug trade there.  When unrest occurs, the restrains are lifted off and crime begins to rise.  Unrest means chaos and this in turn means legal, political, economical systems begin to fall apart.  Sure, it’s the illusion of control but it’s an illusion that’s real enough alright.

These are just a few options that on the surface present new ideas which in turn present new problems. In order to effectively overcome such problems in life you need to dissolve the problem. How can this crisis be dissolved?  A higher order solution that removes the problems above is required.  Yet, none immediately spring to mind. Everything that I think of only makes new problems.  I could go on and list solutions here but what is really required is a change of perspective.   A fresh set of ideas.  Yet in a country that is in this much turmoil it’s unlikely that it will ever occur.  Do you have any ideas?

In a previous post I spoke about the problems of life. I want to write briefly today about a way we can walk through problems using a dartboard approach. What is the dartboard approach? In short, the dartboard approach is where you take a best guess as what you should do and take it from there. Also remembering, to let go and just go for it. Here are some of the hallmarks to the [tag]dartboard approach[/tag].

1. When you can’t work out what to do… do something!

If you are stuck for an idea take whatever you can and just straight up go for it.  What’s the worse thing that could happen?  If it involves money take your time and consider your shot before throwing BUT don’t do nothing.  Make a [tag]plan[/tag] that involves you taking some action first.

2. Make sure it’s an educated guess

When thinking through problems you have to look at what your options are and be thinking strategically.  A confident dart player does not simply shut their eyes and hurl the projectile without thought.  They are working off a ‘best guest’ scenario as to what their opponent is thinking.  In short they are sizing up their own plan of attack against what they think is the opponents next move.  There is no answer to what somebody will do next but those that make an [tag]educated guess[/tag] and then take action are more likely to be right than wrong most of the time.

3. Have confidence in your choices 

I would hate to tell you this but most decisions are driven by emotions.  That means, you have a decision you make based on the emotions you have and as a consequence will often favour those.  If you are like me, you have a problem believing in yourself.  This means, most of the time you write something only to receive a criticism from somebody else who drags you down.  Remember, they are not responsible for your decisions… you are.  Listen to good counsel by all means (my next point), but do not allow yourself to be told by someone that you have no right to make choices.  You do have that right.  You should therefore be confident and say to yourself, ‘I made a choice and I am happy with it.’  Be confident and know that your choice is a good educated guess and it’s relevant to you and your situation.

4. Talk to others

When planning and taking action it’s a key thing to remember that you are not alone.  You have people around you that care deeply for you and if you ask them they will help you talk it through.   People are there to help.   If it’s a tough decision talk to them about it if you need a fresh set of eyes.   In a later post I will be speaking about how we can recognise the role emotions play in our lives.

5. Pray

Before I make a big decision I turn to [tag]God[/tag] and ask him to help me.  After all, he is interested.  So I pray and ask for a feeling through my inner man that what I am about to do is right for me.  This works most of the time for me.  Sometimes I get a horrible feeling in my gut and this tells me not to do that thing I was planning.  Other times I feel comfortable or at peace with it… so this helps too.  There are times when my life seems to be going nowhere… if I stop and talk to God about it and write down what I believe he is telling me then I fair a lot better than I do otherwise.

In all of these things it’s important to recognise that life is not certain.  I was not born near a roadmap neither was I handed a list of what I am to do here.  Largely, I believe, it’s us to me what I do and how I travel.  I believe in destiny but at the same time I believe we have a free choice to make.  When I am struggling I resort to this list and it’s helped me greatly.  One time I didn’t know whether I should enrol in a course or not.  So I just enrolled.  I figured that, if I take the chance, I will probably be fine even if I get it wrong.  What happens if I do and I fail? Unless what you are planning to do is dangerous to others… so what?  I have failed at heaps of things and each one of those failures eventually led to an open door somewhere else that became a success.  Am I saying that you have to fail to succeed.  Yes.  So just think about it and throw that dart!

Thanks for reading.  Why not talk about this article in my forum? Alternatively you can leave a comment or talk to me personally about it.