Let’s get straight to the core without any fluff. At the end I’ll give some more explanation.

Step 1

Requirements:

• Block some time (30–60 minutes)
• Get a Glas of Water
• Have Pen and Paper ready

As you stare at the piece of paper and wonder what the hell do I need this for, “I know my problems.”. Stop. You need to get them out of your head on paper to be able to stare at it.

ToDo:

Write down your challenge or problem in one or two sentences. I mean it!

Sit down and write it on a piece of paper. In 1–2 sentences.

The absolute core. No fluff. No Excuses.

Example: “I’m afraid of public speaking. I get really nervous and have to rush to the toilet every time.”

Then ask yourself:

• When did this occur the last time?
• What situation was it?
• How have I felt in that moment?
• How did I overcome it?

Write everything down. This is really important. Don’t answer the questions in your head. You need to do the work. Let your brain think about every word your hands going to write.

Step 2

Write down the goal you want achieve regarding your challenge.

You guessed it: 1–2 sentences.

Example: “I want to become more relaxed and confident when speaking in public.”

Then take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, imagine the situation and ask yourself:

• How would I feel when I reach my goal?
• How would the public react?
• How would friends and family experience the change?
• Where will you speak?
• How big is the audience?

Again: Write it down!

Important: As soon as you’ve written down your goal, go back to step one and check if your challenge/problem is still the same. Sometimes the problems change when we know the goal.

Ask yourself:

• Does my challenge reflect my goals?
• Does your goal solve your challenge/problem?

If not: Rewrite your problem. Then check on step two and ask yourself if the goal is still the same. Repeat it until you have the core of your problem and your goal.

Step 3.

Write down how you want to achieve your goal.

Think about the required steps towards your goal. Don’t overthink it. If any of these steps feel overwhelming break them into smaller steps.

Ask yourself:

• What do you need to do to get one step closer to your goal?
• What resources do you need?
• What resources do you already have?
• Who could help you with your goal?
• When will you start with the first action? 
  (Set a deadline and stick to it)

Example: 
“I need to practice the presentation.” 
“I will record myself and watch my facial and body expressions.”
“I will analyze my speaking and count my Ehm’s.”
“I will test different breathing techniques before presenting.”

Again: WRITE it down. Word for word.

Does this actually work?

It depends on your will and discipline. This methods are used in coaching and I do this with my clients, too. Solving a problem often requires you to take the time and to look closely at it.

If you’re in the same boat as I am, you probably believe you’re well-attuned to your own thoughts, right? After all, they’re your inner dialogues.

But, here’s the thing: transforming that foggy mix of thoughts and feelings swirling inside your brain into clear, sharp statements can really open your eyes.

The important thing is to write it down. This helps you not only to clear your mind but to have it visible in front of you and you know what you are working with. Specifity makes the difference here. If we just think about it, most of the time we simply rush through our thoughts and come to the conclusion that we can’t solve the problem.

But if we take the time to write things down we realize that the problem we face is nothing we can’t solve. It simply wasn’t clear enough for us to see the smaller steps so that we could finally take action.

Imagine you buy a cupboard from Ikea. You come home, open the box and spread everything out on the floor. You see 4 large boards, 8 small, 2 narrow and 60 different screw parts.

Impossible to assemble the cabinet. Right?

But then you discover the step-by-step instructions under one of the boards and see that it can be done. You just have to start small and take one step at a time.

The same goes with your problems. Most of the answers are within you. You just need to look carefully to find your own solutions.

Some problems might seem to difficult to be solved on your own. Here a Coach can support by asking the right questions. You still will have to find your own solutions but the guidance can help to look at your problems from a different perspective.

Try it for yourself. It might work for most of your problems.

Was this helpful? Did you manage to solve one of your problems? Did you get stuck anywhere? Share it in the comments. I’ll reply.

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